Happy News
Sateesh and Padmaja blessed with a daughter today at 8.30 in the morning. They have a son (Sai) and now a daughter. Its a great news for all of us in the family. Congrats Sateesh and Padmaja.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Dusserah
Dusserah festival was observed with joy. During Dusserah we used to get up very early in the morning and went around in the fields to collect flowers – particularly for Dusserah we used to decorate with Torai flowers. Since there was competition among students to get more flowers for Pooja we used to go very early in the morning. At one place near Mosuru river we went inside a big garden where we used to collect varieties of flowers. It was so dangerous as early in the morning you cant see much and the place where we used to pluck the Torai flowers there is a big and deep pond below with full water. We used to wear new clothes and used to carry bow and arrow – these bow and arrows are specially made and sold for Pooja . These bow and arrows are decorated with colors.
When the Pooja takes place in the school, the Brahmin used to chant slokas and tell the story on Goddess Durga. While the chanting on, we used to throw Torai flowers on the Idol. While doing this, we used to throw the Torai seeds, which are very strong, at the Brahmin. Once the Pooja was over, we all stand in que with bow and arrow and go around the village with teachers singing songs on Dusserah. The village crowd used to stand on the sides of the roads. The villagers (affluent families) used to offer sweet dishes on the way.
When the Pooja takes place in the school, the Brahmin used to chant slokas and tell the story on Goddess Durga. While the chanting on, we used to throw Torai flowers on the Idol. While doing this, we used to throw the Torai seeds, which are very strong, at the Brahmin. Once the Pooja was over, we all stand in que with bow and arrow and go around the village with teachers singing songs on Dusserah. The village crowd used to stand on the sides of the roads. The villagers (affluent families) used to offer sweet dishes on the way.
My tution classes
In the villages one may not find houses to taken on rent, so the teachers who come from other places to work as teachers in the school have to stay in the village and go trhome for weekend. Some who come from nearby places travel daily.
When I was in my elementary school I used to go for tution – Diwakar master,Viswam Master, Boy master used to stay in one rented house. We being higher caste – in the villages they used to give respect to our families.
The teachers used to cook their own food. While two cook the third one used to teach us.
In the villages since the farmers grow crops they have to keep the yield in a store room or Atuku (a place near the ceiling of the house) where one can stock their items. To take them out one has to use a ladder. In the place where these teachers were staying, the houseowner kept stock of onions in the Atuku. There was a hole to Atuku. Whenever the teachers started cooking one teacher used to throw a broom in the reverse side and there used to fall one or two onions. They used to utilize them.
One day the teacher (Divakar master) was checking the work done by us the students and all were sitting near the teacher bending their heads down. I was having severe cold and my nose running fast. While the teacher was checking the slates water fell from my nose on the slate – suddenly the teacher lifted his head to see where this water was coming and he found that it was from my nose – he was so angry and asked me to wash the slate with water and asked me to redo the work. All were laughing – including me…..
There were three teachers who I respected the most – Jagannadharao bava, Vishwam master and Diwakar master.
When I was in my elementary school I used to go for tution – Diwakar master,Viswam Master, Boy master used to stay in one rented house. We being higher caste – in the villages they used to give respect to our families.
The teachers used to cook their own food. While two cook the third one used to teach us.
In the villages since the farmers grow crops they have to keep the yield in a store room or Atuku (a place near the ceiling of the house) where one can stock their items. To take them out one has to use a ladder. In the place where these teachers were staying, the houseowner kept stock of onions in the Atuku. There was a hole to Atuku. Whenever the teachers started cooking one teacher used to throw a broom in the reverse side and there used to fall one or two onions. They used to utilize them.
One day the teacher (Divakar master) was checking the work done by us the students and all were sitting near the teacher bending their heads down. I was having severe cold and my nose running fast. While the teacher was checking the slates water fell from my nose on the slate – suddenly the teacher lifted his head to see where this water was coming and he found that it was from my nose – he was so angry and asked me to wash the slate with water and asked me to redo the work. All were laughing – including me…..
There were three teachers who I respected the most – Jagannadharao bava, Vishwam master and Diwakar master.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Village Games
The atmosphere in the villages is quite pleasant and village life is quite different from that of the city life. Upto primary school since I studied in the village, I used to play a lot games - to name some - Gonni Billa, Jeedi Pikkalu, Kabbadi, Ko-Ko and etc.
Jeedi Pkkalu (Khaju Seeds) In its season people (mostly a community called Relli) sell Khaju fruits with seeds. What we used to do is to procure all the Khaju seeds and play. Basically at least four five people club together these seeds - say each one will have to give at least two khaju seeds and so if there are five people then there will be 10 khaju seeds. All these seeds are put in sand in vertical touching one another. Each player used to keep a master Khaju seed for striking. From few meters away each one will have to sit on a given line and throw the Striker at the Khajus placed in a row. If the striker hits them and whatever Khaju seeds fall from the row will be taken away by the striker. So like this I used to procure a number of these seeds. To hit the Khaju seeds one need to have proper Striker - so we select a bigger size Khaju seed and if the seed is heavier then the chances of winning more seeds. Even what we used to do is to make a hole to the master seed and take out the eatable from inside and fill it with small stones etc to make it heavier - and even people used to put seasam (silver liquid inside so that it becomes heavier).
When the number of seeds becomes more we used to break it and eat. This is a seasonal game and we used to play after school in the evening hours. While playing we also used to make bets.
Jeedi Pkkalu (Khaju Seeds) In its season people (mostly a community called Relli) sell Khaju fruits with seeds. What we used to do is to procure all the Khaju seeds and play. Basically at least four five people club together these seeds - say each one will have to give at least two khaju seeds and so if there are five people then there will be 10 khaju seeds. All these seeds are put in sand in vertical touching one another. Each player used to keep a master Khaju seed for striking. From few meters away each one will have to sit on a given line and throw the Striker at the Khajus placed in a row. If the striker hits them and whatever Khaju seeds fall from the row will be taken away by the striker. So like this I used to procure a number of these seeds. To hit the Khaju seeds one need to have proper Striker - so we select a bigger size Khaju seed and if the seed is heavier then the chances of winning more seeds. Even what we used to do is to make a hole to the master seed and take out the eatable from inside and fill it with small stones etc to make it heavier - and even people used to put seasam (silver liquid inside so that it becomes heavier).
When the number of seeds becomes more we used to break it and eat. This is a seasonal game and we used to play after school in the evening hours. While playing we also used to make bets.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Bogi Mantalu
In Andhra Pradesh, the southern province of India, Pongal is celebrated with enthusiasm. It’s a four day festival and biggest festival in Andhra. The first day is Bhogi, second day Sankranti and the third day is Kanuma and the fourth day is Mukkanuma.
People save a part of their earnings for this festival. Each and every person wear new clothes, the house are decorated and painted. Sweet and hot dishes are made in the houses. All the family members wherever they are come together for this occasion. This festival is more enjoyable in village atmosphere as you will see and observe the mood of the people.
As far as our family is concerned, my brothers Sankar,Mohan who used to work in Orissa come alongwith sisters and brother in laws and their children. For me and for our family when we see all the family coming together was a great occasion.
The same is the case with our neighbors who are also our relatives – they also work in Orissa and other places. For one festival my Mohan brother and Chandra bava (neighbor) came together from Koraput and in Salur my brother bought mangoes for us. Since he was getting delayed he requested Chandrabava to take the bag full of mangoes and give it in my house. Chandrabava brought them and kept in his house – their family members thought those mangoes are for them and started eating some when my brother reached house asked whether the mangoes are here. We said no one brought mangoes. When he went to our neighbor they started eating. When they came to know that they were for us, all of them started laughing and given him the rest mangoes.
People get prepared for this festival at least a month in advance. During the festival people play different games – men and women play pekata (cards). The cards are paid for free and also for money for interest sake.
Bhogi mantalu (burning of firewood) is observed on the first day and it is done very early in the morning. In each street they observe this. The people from each street gather wood and put them in the fire. Children make cakes of cowdung and make them garlands of their size and even double, triple their size. They take bath early in the morning and wear new clothes and put the garlands in the fire. The children take the ash and put them in the forehead. They come back home and in the houses we make idlis to eat.
For Bhogi we used to collect wood from various places. Since we are karanams (caste) in the villages the people give high respect. Whenever we go to Komiti (Sahukar) houses, they used to give us wood stacks which we carry and put them in our fire. In the villages people try to make the flames bigger in each street and the fire even lasts for four to five days. Since it occurs in January because of winter people come and sit near the fire. Also we used to steal wood from different places to put them in the fire.
One night the people from our street went around to collect wood from different places. There is one Sahukar who is very kanjusi – every year when we go, he used to give little firewood and people are unhappy with him. In front of his house he kept big wooden logs. Our people saw that and at any cost wanted to take them. He was sitting outside to see that no one will take them away. We made a plan and acted as if we were coming from other village and asked for ghee (ghee is sold most during the festival) and even in the night also they used to sell. One of the group members went there and asked for half kilo of ghee – the sahukar was happy and went inside to bring ghee and by the time he came back all of us left the place with a wooden log.
I remember when I was reading fourth or fifth standard, my family members bought a card packet (very small in size) and was happy to see that. We children used to play with that. In the house all family members men, women and children used to play 21 - a card game and each player is given two cards and whoever scores 21 is the winner. The elders used to play other card games.
Gajula Satyam – who used to sell bangles in the village during the pongal time and since he became a close friend of our family, he used to stay all four days of festival in our house and keep his bangle bundles in our house and used to eat in our family. He used to offer bangles to women and girls in our house free of cost or for lesser amount.
During the festival there used to have Kodi Pandelu (cocks are tied with sharp knives and put to fight and people around used to put bet on them. At this place, you will find a number of shops to play, eatables etc. We used to buy things and take home.
The Second day Sankranti – people wear new clothes and in all the houses people make pindi vantalu (sweet and hot dishes). People wear new clothes and go around to other families. We used to go to our friends and relatives in other villages too.
The third day is Kanuma – mostly people cook non-veg this day. And labourers etc. drink and dance.
People used to go to Salur which is about 4 kms from Panchali and it’s a big town and people go to see movies and also buy things.
During the festival Gangireddulu vallu (an Ox is decorated)the person acoompanying the ox will have a shenhai and he plays music. He goes house to house and people wash the Ox’s feet and place flowers and garlands and offer eatables and rice and money.
That is how we used to enjoy the Sankranti panduga.
People save a part of their earnings for this festival. Each and every person wear new clothes, the house are decorated and painted. Sweet and hot dishes are made in the houses. All the family members wherever they are come together for this occasion. This festival is more enjoyable in village atmosphere as you will see and observe the mood of the people.
As far as our family is concerned, my brothers Sankar,Mohan who used to work in Orissa come alongwith sisters and brother in laws and their children. For me and for our family when we see all the family coming together was a great occasion.
The same is the case with our neighbors who are also our relatives – they also work in Orissa and other places. For one festival my Mohan brother and Chandra bava (neighbor) came together from Koraput and in Salur my brother bought mangoes for us. Since he was getting delayed he requested Chandrabava to take the bag full of mangoes and give it in my house. Chandrabava brought them and kept in his house – their family members thought those mangoes are for them and started eating some when my brother reached house asked whether the mangoes are here. We said no one brought mangoes. When he went to our neighbor they started eating. When they came to know that they were for us, all of them started laughing and given him the rest mangoes.
People get prepared for this festival at least a month in advance. During the festival people play different games – men and women play pekata (cards). The cards are paid for free and also for money for interest sake.
Bhogi mantalu (burning of firewood) is observed on the first day and it is done very early in the morning. In each street they observe this. The people from each street gather wood and put them in the fire. Children make cakes of cowdung and make them garlands of their size and even double, triple their size. They take bath early in the morning and wear new clothes and put the garlands in the fire. The children take the ash and put them in the forehead. They come back home and in the houses we make idlis to eat.
For Bhogi we used to collect wood from various places. Since we are karanams (caste) in the villages the people give high respect. Whenever we go to Komiti (Sahukar) houses, they used to give us wood stacks which we carry and put them in our fire. In the villages people try to make the flames bigger in each street and the fire even lasts for four to five days. Since it occurs in January because of winter people come and sit near the fire. Also we used to steal wood from different places to put them in the fire.
One night the people from our street went around to collect wood from different places. There is one Sahukar who is very kanjusi – every year when we go, he used to give little firewood and people are unhappy with him. In front of his house he kept big wooden logs. Our people saw that and at any cost wanted to take them. He was sitting outside to see that no one will take them away. We made a plan and acted as if we were coming from other village and asked for ghee (ghee is sold most during the festival) and even in the night also they used to sell. One of the group members went there and asked for half kilo of ghee – the sahukar was happy and went inside to bring ghee and by the time he came back all of us left the place with a wooden log.
I remember when I was reading fourth or fifth standard, my family members bought a card packet (very small in size) and was happy to see that. We children used to play with that. In the house all family members men, women and children used to play 21 - a card game and each player is given two cards and whoever scores 21 is the winner. The elders used to play other card games.
Gajula Satyam – who used to sell bangles in the village during the pongal time and since he became a close friend of our family, he used to stay all four days of festival in our house and keep his bangle bundles in our house and used to eat in our family. He used to offer bangles to women and girls in our house free of cost or for lesser amount.
During the festival there used to have Kodi Pandelu (cocks are tied with sharp knives and put to fight and people around used to put bet on them. At this place, you will find a number of shops to play, eatables etc. We used to buy things and take home.
The Second day Sankranti – people wear new clothes and in all the houses people make pindi vantalu (sweet and hot dishes). People wear new clothes and go around to other families. We used to go to our friends and relatives in other villages too.
The third day is Kanuma – mostly people cook non-veg this day. And labourers etc. drink and dance.
People used to go to Salur which is about 4 kms from Panchali and it’s a big town and people go to see movies and also buy things.
During the festival Gangireddulu vallu (an Ox is decorated)the person acoompanying the ox will have a shenhai and he plays music. He goes house to house and people wash the Ox’s feet and place flowers and garlands and offer eatables and rice and money.
That is how we used to enjoy the Sankranti panduga.
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