Video night in Rampa chodavaram
Ramarao Kanneganti
Have you ever walked by Godavari on a moonlit night? Have you ever
traveled in a boat on Godavari? Have you ever been to Devipatnam,
Rampa chodavaram and those wonderfully hospitable places?
Ok, I confess. I am a Guntur person. Not even that. I grew up in a
village 11 miles from Guntur. Till I was 20, I have never even seen
Godavari. I read about it [Godavaree pavanOdaram akhila bhaaratamu
maadannanaaDu ...], I dreamt about it, [uppongi poyindi godaavaree,
taanu teppunna egasindi godaavaree], and even pretended I was from
there.
Finally, I had a chance to goto Godavari. I was in final year B.Tech.
in Madras and I worked in the winter and had some spare change burning
a hole in my pocket. And, I wasn't keen on Mardigras anyway.
I was going to visit a friend from Annavaram near Yeleswaram and goto
Devipatnam and travel along the coast. We were going to camp and sleep
outside and if needed, stay with his relatives.
Yeleswaram: I reached the place on a sunny morning. There was a
prominent billboard near the busstand"ichata boothavaidyamu
chEyabaDunu". Apparently this business has become popular and even
gained respectability among the middle class after that wonderfully
scientific book "tulasi dalam" by Yandamuri. I managed to hitch a ride
to Annavaram on a tractor along with a bunch of agriculture workers.
My handbag elicited some curious comments: it was a fashion statement
of calculated coolness in IIT, but people in the tractor thought I was
a christian preacher!!
Annavaram: I am sure there are as many annavarams in AP as there are
springfields in USA. This is one of the not-so-famous Annavarams. The
place is popular for its cashew crop. My friend Giri lives outside the
village in the farm. It is next to the forests and "annalu"
occassionally come there. [annalu = naxalites or other underground
workers]. My friend warned me that place has hyenas. The next day, we
were told that a tiger visited the next farm.
Till I was in that village, I was thinking that the Godavari people
are really rich. Apparently the forest area people are still suffering
from lack of any infrastructure. Later I went to places like
pasivedala and they seemed rich!
From there, we left for Addatigala. Anybody who has seen the movie
"alluri seetarama raju" knows this name. It seemed a small town. And
there are several tile manufacturing places in that area. From there
we reached rampa chodavaram. [again the place where alluri attacked
the police stations]
Beyond that place, there are thick forests and places like
maredupalli. We were planning on going to Devipatnam but we already
missed the bus. We had to stay back in rampa chodavram. Because of our
shoestring budget, we decided to sleep in the busstand. But
fortunately, we met a person there [Giri established a typically
teluguish connection with him; apparently his cousins knew Giri] and
he let us sleep in the "chaavadi", where the animals are kept. He
said, even he slept there because of "domestic situation".
So, because of that "domestic situation", we went to a hotel (=
restaurant) to eat. It was in the evening, we were the first
customers. The place was just cleaned and there was "guggilam" smoke
around it. [It is the same smoke they put under the beds of kids.] We
were hungry and tired. Whatever may be the combination, for 5 rupees,
I had the most divine meal I ever had. Fully vegetarian, clean,
unlimited and hospitality of strangers. I even remember telling the
owner that he should open a place outside IIT.
After such a meal, we decided to top it off by watching a video movie
in a theater. We went for the first show; the movie was "rendu reLLu
aaru". I don't remember the movie but I still remember the night.
-- rama
PS: Well, I hope I evoked at least some memories. In some spring
evenings when you hear telugu song going "nallani mabbulu gumpulu
gumpulu, tellani kongalu baarulu baarulu", you remember those good old
days and good ol' places you were from.
PPS: If there is sufficient interest, I will continue with the rest of
my narration.
"nETi hemanta sidhila patraala madhya nilachi
nATi vaasanta sameera prasaaraala talachi
intE gadaa jeevitam anna cinta
inta lOnE mugisindanna vanta
chedirina kaLLatO evarannaa choostarani mukham tippukunTanu."
....
- Tilak [Not the one from "mandalay jailulo"]
Ramabhadra R. Dokka
some heart-catching memories of Godaavari and the surrounding areas :
It was an EXCELLENT piece !!!
Dear netters!!
Being a person from KONASEEMA, for 15 years of my childhood,
I know how WARM are the memories of yester yores esp..
GODAVARI and surroundings.
The quote of TILAK was quite a good selection for the discussion,
I start with that...
>"nETi hemanta sidhila patraala madhya nilachi
> nATi vaasanta sameera prasaaraala talachi
> intE gadaa jeevitam anna cinta
> inta lOnE mugisindanna vanta
> chedirina kaLLatO evarannaa choostarani mukham tippukunTanu."
> - Tilak [Not the one from "mandalay jailulo"]
I am not quite sure what exactly TILAK meant by those words..
But I am sure those words apply to a vast variety of things including
the memories of ages, and reminescences of surroundings..
"Jeevitaanni Chadivina Mahaanubhaavulaki, Anubhavaale Anubhuuthulu",
Anduke, TILAK's words hit the heart and make him sit around for quite long....
Nostalgia - The native fever hits everyone, one day or other.
Idon't know (as like many people) what exactly is embedded in the shining
waters of the holy river "GODAAVARI" which has an incredible capability of
invoking streams of memories life-long.(I feel ONE LIFE is not long enough..)
Ika GODAAVARI vihayaaniki vaste,
It is the rich experience of each and every one who are lucky enough to FEEL the midas touch or even gifted by the Visual beauty of the river."
" Thaluchukuntene Thanuvu Pulakarinchenu !!
Manchi thalapula Manamu Palavarinchenu !! " ( Yes, I mean it..)
-------Godaavarini Varninchadam Matallo Saadhyama??
Ayinaa Saahasitaanu.. Tappulunte Kshaminchandi.....
" Tholi udaya kiranaalu PaaraaNi diddanga,
Mali malaya pavanaalu Valuvale kattanga,
Prakruthathaa Neevai Paravasinchevu,
Praabhaata samayaana Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Madhyaahna Velalo MarthaanDa Jyothilo,
Milamilaa merasevu, Mandramuga Nilachevu,
Madhuraanubhuutulanu Melukolipevu,
Manasu dochevamma Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Saayantra Sobhalo Nee soyagaalu,
Saameera sampadala Ghana saurabhaalu,
Challanga Saageti Nee Hoyalu delupa,
Chaalu maatalu veyi Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Rojantha Uppongi Uvvetthunurikevu,
Rathirayyindante, Saanthamurthivi neevu,
Nindu garbhinilaaga Nemmadinchevu,
Nee saati lerevaru Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Kalavu neelo Koti sampadalu odigi,
Neevu nadachina chota Sirula velluvalu,
Aandhra desaanike annapuurnavu neevu,
Alarinchu maathave Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Appudappudu Neevu Uppenaga egasina,
Antalone karigi challanga chuusevu,
Nee Drukkule maaku jeevanaadhaaramu,
Nindumanamu needi Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Nee daari velasele Pekku Kshethramulu,
Ninadinche neelona EIthihaasamulu,
Velpulendariko Velugu nichchevu,
Maa Ila Velpu Neevamma Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Sadanaalu, Samaraalu, Saahitya Kavanaalu,
ManaSaahitya Srushtike Uupirayyavu,
Telugu charitaku Pragathi,Pratirupame neevu..
Kalakaalamuu velugu Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Nee Teerala galavule Naati vibhavamulu,
Netikini avi maaku talamaanikamulu,
Daagi vunnavi neelo Dhana Dhaanya Raasulu,
Dandaalu, Dandaalu Thalli Godaari.. " || Thaluchukuntene ||
" Thaluchukuntene Thanuvu Pulakarinchenu !!
Manchi thalapula Manamu Palavarinchenu !! " ( Yes, I mean it..)
( I hope You liked it !!!)
Netlo Prastutam Anthyaakshari Jorugaa saaguthondi kaabatti,
Mana Darsakulu, Rachayitalu, Kalaakarulu, Itara Sanketika Nipunulu
Tama Tama GODAAVARI Anubhavaalani Padimandikee Panchipette Prayatnalelaa
Chesaaro Sameekshistaanu..
-----
---EE anubhavaalu kaavalante Godaavarini Chuusi Teeravalasinde Mari !!!
Endaro Mahaniubhaavulaki Ee anubhavalanni chiraparichitaale..
Naavalo Revu Daataalanna AALOCHANA Raagaane,
" Eti padava sarangu Paata Girikeelalo
Chelikaada Mana Vagalu Kalaposukondaamu ,
Raavoyi Bangaaru Maamaa -- "
Antuu Ghantasaala gari Swaram Anunayisthu untundi.
Aa Nepadhyam lone Velasina oka madhura geethamidi..
Baapu + Mullapuudila Apoorva Srushti Muthyaala Muggu Chitramlonidi..
"Edo Edo annadi, EE Masaka Masaka Veluturu,
Guutipadavalo Vinnadi Kotta Pellikoothuru..
Ee Paatalone oka chota..
"Soyagaala Vindulakai Veyikanulu Kaavaali.. " antaadu Rachayitha.
Idi Aksharaala Nijam GODAAVARI vishayamlo.
Kalaatapasvi K.Viswanath kuudaa Anubhavalani Venditerakekkinchadamlo
chaalaa varaku Krutakrutyulayyarani Cheppavachchu..
Naati Jeevana Jyotiloni :
Sinni O Sinnee, O Sannajaajula Sinni,
( Ee paata background Chaala andamgaa Godavari Kerataala madhya
Srushtinchadam Jarigindi)
Aa taruvaata
SIRISIRI MUVVA chitram kuudaa ade kovalonidi..
Aa chitram lo Sri Veturi Sundararamamurthy gaari kalam Chindulu Vesindilaa..
" Godaralle Ennetlo Godaralle..
Elluva Godaralle, Ennetlo Godaralle..."
Marokachota
" Thochcheyi, Paachcheyi KONANGI revukai, KOTIPALLI revukai"
Antuu Alaa pallepadaalalo saagipotundi.
" Evarikevaru Ee lokamlo Evariki Eruka,
Edaaretupothundo Evarini Adagakaa !! "
annappudu..
aa vedaanthaaniki GODAAVARI oopiri posindemonani anipinchaka maanadu.
TARANGINI chitramlo.. title song chitreekarinchinappudu..
Sri Kodi Ramakrishna Godaavari (Patti Seema) sogasulani Cameraaloki patte
prayatnam kontavarakuu saphalamayyindanavachchu.
Inka Sankaraabharanam Viswanath manasulo rege Godaavari uuhalaki
uupirichindi..
SWATHI MUTHYAM lo
"Thaali Bottu Thesthanani Thaalla revukellindu Maamaa "
ane paataki jeevam GODAAVARI Kaadantaaraa ??
AANDHRA KESARI loni Ee paata GODAAVARIni RAJAHMUNNDRYni Kallaku kattinatlu
Chuupistundi..
" Vedamlaa Ghoshinche Godaavari..
Amaradhaamamlaa Sobhille Rajamahendri..
Sataabdaala Charitha gala Sundara nagaram.
Gatha vaibhava deepthulatho Kammani Kaavyam.. " antuu.
Aa paatalone
" Raajaraaja Narendrudu, Kaakateeyulu,
Tejamunna Medi Doralu Reddi Raajulu,
Gajapatulu, Narapatulu Elina UURU,
Aa Kathalanni ninadinche Gouthami Horu"
antuu GODAAVARIki pedda peeta veyadam jarigindi.
" Aadi Kavitha Nannayya Vrasenichchata,
Sreenaadha Kavinivaasamu Peddamuchchata,
KAvisaarvabhoumulakidi Aalavaalamu,
Navakavithalu Vikasinche Nandanavanamu.. "
" Dittamaina Silpaala DevaLaalu,
Kattu Kathala Chitraangi Kanaka Medalu,
Kottukoni poye konni Koti Lingaalu,
VEERESALIGAMOKADU migilenu chaalu.."
Idi mummaatiki nijam..
Sampradaayaaniki, Samskrutikee,
Samaraalaki, SamskaraNalaki,
Pavitra Ksethraalaki, Pushkaraalaki...
Perennikagannavi Pavithra GODAAVARI theeraalu.
Aadikavini, Teluguna Aadikaavyaanni,
Oka Kandukurini, Oka Chilakamarthini, Oka Allurini , Oka Devulapallini,
.. Inkaa endarino..
Avesaparichinavee, Aascharyaparachinavee,
Uupiriposinavi, Utteja parachinavee,
Alarinchinavee, Sedadeerchinavi.. Ee Paavana GODAAVARI Jaalaale.
Gouthami, Vasishtha, Vynateya modalaina paayalu, Sabari, Seeleru,
Vamsadhaara modalaina upanadulu kala Ee Godaavari Teerala Vembadi
Entha Pedda Charitra Undo, Enni Janapadaalunaayo - Ivannee lekkaku mikkili.
Ayinaa Okkokkadaaniki Okkokka pratyekatha, Visishthatha vunnayi.
EEe Rojullo Annavaram Peru Vinte Annalu (Naxalites) Gurthu vastunnaru kaani,
Appatiki Vaathavaranaminka intha kalushitham kaaledu.. Idi oka vidhangaa
Swayankruthaaparaadhame. Naati Tella dorale kaadu, Nedu, Manavaallu,
Manavaalane dochukune sthithilo unte.. Eerakamaina samasyalu Tappavu.
Ayinaa ippatiki,
Aa andam tarigipoledu, Aa janapadaallo, Aa jaanapadulalo --
Aa abhimanam, aatmiyatha poortigaa maasipoledu ani Sri Kanneganti
Ramarao gaari article chuuste anipistondi.
Kondarikainaa, Godaavari Anubhavaalu Talapuku Vachchela Cheyalanukunna naa
Prayatnam.. Phalinchindantaaraa .......
Mee abhipraayaalakai Eduruchuusthuuu..... RAM.
Ramarao Kanneganti
Video nights in Katmandu. He is quite delightful, and not as cynical
as Theroux.]
[Preface: A confirmed Godavaro-phile, I started on a trip to East
Godavari district along with a resourceful friend, Giri. We reached
Rampa chodavaram, and planted ourselves in a "chaavidi" for the
night.]
Each area has a distinct culture. We Gunturians pride ourselves of
being from the "chilli capital of the world" [Cite: Wall street
journal]. And Krishna people are justifiably proud of mmm..., whatever
they are proud of. No, seriously, they are agriculturally richer, and
Vijayawada is a famous cultural center, and bandar is famous for its
sweets.
As an outsider I can't comment on whether there is a difference
between East and West Godavari cultures. I mean, I can tell the
difference in pickles, but beyond that I have to make a superficial,
non-technical analysis. East Godavari people seemed more polite and
gentle. They certainly have stronger accents as you go north of the
district. And, the villages are a bit more quaint, may be because of
the agency area.
We spent the night in Rampa chodavaram that night. [As an aside, my
father-in-law was posted to that town after 6 years, and I wrote him
about the wonderful place he is going to! He didn't seem too
pleased!!] And, we caught an early morning bus to Devipatnam.
We traveled through forests, amidst the green bamboo groves and at
places some slash-and-burn farms. It was quite sad to see that kind of
destruction, but my friend pointed out that making it illegal is not
the easiest way to abolish that practice. Sad but true.
At some point in the day, we reached Devi Patnam. And, we weren't
prepared for it. Like, we thought that reaching Devipatnam is an end
in itself. But, after that we didn't know what to do. Of course, I was
next to Godavari, not really overflowing, and in all probability no
different from say Krishna.
Aha, that's where I was wrong. It is not the water that maketh a
river, but the banks. More precisely, the villages, the people, the
filelds, the attitudes. The water goes on, but the banks remain
forever. Even if we put this water in some other river, it cannot be
Godavari.
While loitering around in Devipatnam, my friend remembered that an old
friend of his living on the other bank. I hesitated thinking that our
unannounced visit may inconvenience them, but Giri assured me that can
never be the case in that place. We took the boat and crossed over to
the other side.
Somehow, our movie industry is fascinated by the boats on Godavari.
There are umpteen number of songs on that and there is a magic and
there is a music associated with it. Let me tell you, the real thing
is better. Oh, it has nothing to do with the boat, but with the
people. Giri stuck a conversation with few people and we soon were
having a discussion on something, in a free for all. Such comraderie
is possible may be only in the railway compartments, but this
certainly is better.
After sometime, we reached the other bank. Now I crossed Godavari on
the boat once. And, I felt happy.
-- rama
PS: Thanks for all those people who encouraged me to continue with
this semi-travelogue. Many of you liked the Tilak's poem I gave in the
end. Alas, I cannot remember a suitable piece now. But, wait till the
next episode!!
PPS: May be sometime later, I will write about the bicycle trip we
made from Amaravati to Motadaka, the place where Satyam Sankaramachi
stories are set in.
PPPS: Does anybody have Gouthami Gaathalu by Indraganti Hanumath
sastry? I will pay for xerox+postage if anybody can send me a copy.
pandrav
>In <C2Avp...@rice.edu> ra...@cimbria.cs.rice.edu (Ramarao Kanneganti) wrote
>some heart-catching memories of Godaavari and the surrounding areas :
>
regards,
ratnam.