halfinthesky

halfinthesky Kondaveeti Satyavati

Hearing much about Polavaram project made us think about paapikondalu .We heard many times about its scenic beauty and tribal cultures. When we read in news papers that if the project is completed the whole area will get submerged and we will be missing the scenery for ever, we have decided to visit the place at the earliest possible. Long back producer K.Balachander s film had a song saying “PAAPIKONDALA VENUKA PAPANTI MANASUNNA JABILLI VUNNADANI CHALLANI KABUROCHENE …..NA VOLLANTHA PULAKINCHENE’ which means there is a thrilling news that there is moon(a person with very pure heart like a child…most lovable person) behind paapikondalu with child like heart. These very delicate romantic lines also strengthened our urge to visit that area. Finally the proposal took a firm shape and tickets were booked in Gauthami express for 19th of march. We all met at the railway station, Me Ranjana madam, Bhargavi ,Waheeda, Kalpana, Sarala, Nirmala, Lalitha, Indira duo. Everyones face beaming with happiness and excitement radiating a glow all around made those silly electric bulbs shy down everybit. After settling the lugguage I opened my bag and took out plenty of nice smelling jasmines collected at my home. It was Bhargavi very mischuvously started making bunches jasmines with the help of safety pins and she started decorating me with those as earrings lockets and even as tiara on my curly hair. she said she is felicitating me for arranging this trip. Everyone joined her in doing so and not only that they even took a photograph of me in that special appeaarence. The whole compartment was reverberating with our laughs. We requested the one young couple in that compartment to exchange places with the berths of Nirmala and Lalitha which were little away..they oblized without any fuss after watching our excitement. Madam Ranjanagaru mixed well with all of us without any inhibitions. After this felicitation we took out dinner and enjoyed a lot with jokes . Then we started playing cards. I was in winning almost sixty rupees and they suddenly stopped playing…I was so sad I couldnot sleep all through the night.(In between u and me I usually sleep very well while travelling in train and specially after laughing so much I slept very well..pl donot tell them this truth.)Around eleven we all jumped on to the berths and slept very well.

My sleep broke around five in the morning..i remembered the attender telling us that we may reach Rajamundry around 5.20am..i switched on the lights..some others also woke up but Nirmala was still sleeping I woke herup..meanwhile Kalpana enquired and got the news that it will take another one and half hour to reach rjmy. Nirmala gave me a angry look and went back to sleep. I opened the window curtain..and it was like switching the tv to a geographical channel..showing us the green paddy fields tall palm and coconut trees which were standing tall on eitherside of railway track as if they were welcoming us with a salute..There was fine delicate screen of fog all around..we were enjoying the scene to the content of our hearts. Again we tried to wakeup all other who were missing this unforgettable scenery..meanwhile as if he was saying hello to all of us sun raised like a bright ripe tomato .As we were watching the sun rise we reached rjy station.

We were only ten but more than twenty people came to receive us at the station..we reached the guest house and adjusted our selves in the allotted rooms. I shared the room with Madam Ranjana…who is very sweet and simple person made me very comfortable to be with her. As she does not speak Telugu all of tried to remember that and make her comfortable. Aruna and her cousin who arrived at rjy previous night joined us a little later. Everyone was ready by eight..meanwhile I took all the details of our programmes from protocol clerk. Breakfast was arranged at pattiseema so we had a cup of coffee at the guest house and started for pattiseema. We all started in two qualis’ and one ambassdor cars to pattiseema enjoying the breeze on the banks of godavari. after an hour we reached pattiseema..my god there were fifty people waiting for us. It was little irritating. A who looked familiar came to me and asked Madam do you recognise me?I replied are you not Mr.Saikumar..he was happy..he working asR.I WHEN I WAS R.M.O.we used to work on kalingapatnam Jamindari lands issue. He said madam u gave up a good job.of course but I am doing what I like most now ..i am happy and content I said. Meanwhile everyone flocked around Gigantic Hanuman idol and the preist was chanting loudly some mantras .Me and Waheeda stood aside. Suddenly one bright golden coloured object caught my vision..It was being dragged like our never ending telugu serial..i understood what it was. It was jaggery syrup being made into toffees ..very famous regional delicacy. I went near those people making it and took some from them and distributed to everyone..i explained about it to Madam Ranjana and Waheeda. Preist was tring to take us around all small temples. I restrained him and proceeded for breakfast. After breakfast we boarded the launch. As soon we boarded almost more than twenty people boarded the launch . some said they are security personnel some are from court staff so on …we told them firmly that we came on a personnel pleasure trip and sent them back to courts. Launch started after fifteen mins with minimum possible people along with us.

We reached other side of the bank within ten mins …it was hot and to walk in the sand for a half kilometer was difficult task for Waheedaji and Ranjanaji…me and Bhargavi tried to cover the distance fast …There in the temple after darshan and pooja we had to return to launch and I tell you it was really a difficult task..though we were wearing caps we were having tough time. There was lot of garbage littred every where by the visitors for the recent sivaraatri festival…Authorities agree for installing the shops but never impose strict rules for keeping the area clean, and me and Bhargavi feeling very sad about our poor civic sense tried to walk as fast as we can to reach the launch .As soon every one settled they served us tender coconut water. The sweet water and cool breeze from the river side refreshed and recharged all of us very fast. As the launch moving forward the slowly every one stirred up for antyakshari with renewed energies…singing at different tunes and levels we were also observing the beautiful surroundings. There were high hills , on those slopes we saw small houses like matchboxes. Small tribal villages ..also the cultivations in small areas on the slopes known as ‘PODUVYAVASAYAM’ . We came across many tribals fishing in small basket like round boats made of bamboos (they also make these round baskets which are known as DINGIES or TEPPAS, with the main vein of palm or coconut compound leaves. We could see clear sky with cranes flying here and there periodically some birds trying to catch fish from the water…many ducks near the banks. At some places we saw the kitchen smoke from the tribal villages, someplaces we saw forest fire . Launch stopped at a village we happily anticipated a visit to the tribal colony but the launch people said its only a stop to collect lunch. The launch resumed its travel and we shifted to dancing from singing….From all of us only one able and nimble dancer is aruna…but who is to be left behind..everyone danced in their own fashion giving poses. At about 1.30 they served us lunch. It was good tasty with a tribal touch. It’s a rare opportunity to eat together in open area over the river with lots fun and jokes as side dishes. The court staff served us very well with lots of affection….By the time everyone finished their lunch it was nearly two ine the afternoon…well it was time for siesta for many…..all the chairs went to a side and huge drapes were spread on the floor. Many laid down..Waheedaji and Ranjanaji looked like suffering a little headache they sat in the chairs and closed their eyes. Me and Bhargavi jumped over the railing and sat on the hood of launch. Our dear friends were worried at this they tied us to the railing with our own dupattas,…what a pleasant sight it was…the Godavari water shining in the afternoon sunlight…cool breeze and only the sound u can hear is the sound of water when the launch is cutting through .Bhargavi was trying to vediograph everything with her own commentary. We saw small setting that were erected for the film RAAMADAASU, and a guest house on the left side which we were told that its westgodavari district guest house. Well well well …now at three o clock in the afternoon we were entering the PAPIKONDALU. Originally these were known as PAPIDIKONDALU as the river passes through a small gap between two hills like partition of a womans hair. Everyone wokeup to see the beauty…..left side we could see the dried path of waterfall. Right now there was only water path and no water. Here during monsoon the depth of water would be fifty feet and the speed of water at that time would really be scary. They told that it would be difficult for launch also get into water at that time. But now the river is flowing very very gentle. I felt sad for missing all this beauty for such a long time. I remembered that Godaravri raised from the hills of sahyadri in Nasik and traveling through Maharaastra entered andhrapradesh at Nizamabad,it travels through Bhadrachalam,Kunavram, Papikondalu,rajamundry,ravulapalem,narsapur later at antervedi near Annachelllella gattu it enters ocean. Where ever it goes like mother it it nourishes that area and makes it green.I saluted river Godavari very humbly with all my respect. It starts at Trayambakeswar splits into Pravara,poorna,Manjeera,Maneru, Pranahita,Indravathi,Sabari subrivers.Near Papikondalu its width is only 250 to 275 meters. Same river at Rajamundry is 3.5 kilometers. I have so many emotions raising within me when I think of river Godavari and I feel fortunate enough to have born in that area. Swinging slowly on river Godavari our launch reached Perantam pally around 4 in the evening.Perantampally is a tribal villafge at a higher level on the hill

We have to climb the steep stairs. I was little tired and said I will not come. Madam Ranjana and Waheeda also said they will stay back….but some people who were returning from above place told us to climb and see ,and also they told us about a small cool water stream running down the hill. At the name of water I jumped and all the others fallowed. WE quickly we reached the water point removed shoes and relaxed in the w ater played and took photographs. There is temple where the priests are tribal women. They donot allow offering of money. As you enter they ask u to observe total silence. They said any one can pray according to their religion there. Venu,Rajeswari,Laxmi are preists there. When I wanted to photograph them they refused gently. I was curious and asked how they maintain themselves there they replied the Bhakts take care of us, they also told us that they do not have family and they live there. One of the visitors tried to photograph them and then I saw the sharp anger in them they almost beat the man. I was impressed by their confodence. I got a small book telling us about that ashram. That ashram is named ‘RAMAKRISHNA MUNI VATAMU’ In the third rule they said any one men women or children can pray there (without sankalpam either verbally or mentally.)No archakas allowed. Another interesting rule is not to offer money or dakshina while praying. They say loosing concentration while praying and searching for money is not good. When we are praying for mercy of God we should not get distracted. They also discourage giving money to beggars. There is lot of difference between other priests at temples who wear rich ornaments and simple tribal women priests here.

As the sun dropping on the west our launch turned back towards Rajaumundry. The flowers made from bamboos I purchased were glowing in different shades in the sinking sunlight. A very memorable page in my life. These magical memories and experiences lead us through life .I am happy that I have so many such pages in my life .We enjoyed a lot. Together all of sang ,danced ,did monoaction and what not…everything is an _expression of joy experienced on that day.

I t was getting dark. We asked not to switch on the electric lights on the launch watched the tiny lamps in the tribal villages here and there on the hills.We saw smoke raising from the kitchens of tribals. Suddenly everyone slipped into silence.Waheedaji was quiet. Earler we have discussed about many issues like telivision serials to relationships between women. Some body passed a dirty statement that Woman is enemy of woman. I had to fight alone sometimes aruna supported me. I am a feminist. Kalpana was angry for judges wife not being allowed to practise law while other members of family are allowed to do the same. Like this we dicussing about so many things…ignoring all our discussions launch was traveling through the river. I my self slipped into some silent pain when I realized after completion of this polavaram project those tiny light in the tribal villages will never glow. Disapperence of those villages,temples ,arts everything made me too sad. In the name of progress many villages will be wiped out for ever.Almost 276 villages will get drowned in that project,not only in our State but tribals in chattisghud, orissa will also be effected. When this project is completed total 42,000 hectors of land will get drowned. In Andhrapradesh its 37,743 hectors,in Chattisgudh it is 1618 hectors of land in orissa 2,786 hectors will get drowned. I remembered Medhapatkar who was suggesting to go for small projects instead of mega projects. I remembered about ADIVAASI SANSKHEMA PARISHAT. I WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE GOVERNMENT. As I was prying for those tinmny tribal villages..their lives ,their temples their arts…..slowly our launch reached pattiseema. While travelling back to the guest house also we discusse d seriously about many issues. After taking shower and refreshed our selves we had our dinner and we all took a small stroll in guest house compound. Later every one slept. Next morning I woke up at 5 and got ready and went to visit my nephew who came and picked me up from the guest house. By the time I returned form his house every one was ready. We immediately started towards KADIUM. Bhargavi suggested to visit one huge nursey in 65 acres of land. We went there. There I plucked one orchid flower silently and presented it to Madam Ranjanaji saying madam”my aapkeliye chorikiya” She laughed so nicely like the full bloomed sreelanka jasmines there. From there we went to DRAksharamam,Samalkot,Pithapuram and Annavaram.

.From here I have no special experiences because I have not participated in poojas..i have just accompanied everyone. In between at kakinada we stopped for fifteen mins to show uppada handlooms to Madam Ranjanaji. Last year I visited Annavaram temple along with Utpala. Then river Sabari was full. We sat on the river bank and chatted for long. Now thee is no water in the river also no time as we were supposed to catch Godavari express around six in the evening. When we reached railwaystation we were told that train is late for another halfanhour. Bhargavi and me had a secret programme.22nd march was Waheeda’s birthday. At Samalkot Lalithas friends were arranging dinner for us,we both requested her to arrange for a bouquet of flowers and a cake. It was delivered at samalkot and we hid it in the next compartment .At twelve in the night we wokeup waheeda and made her cut the cake and sang birthday song for her. Our facial muscles and cheeks were paining a bit after laughing so much. After that realizing we are inconveniencing other passengers(very conveniently after we did every thing we wanted to do) we slept. We woke up with the announcement at secbad station that Godavari express from Vishakapatnam has arrived on platform number six. We got down in a hurry..till today we have not met again…looking forward for next gettogether to share all those memories with everyone.

Our trip was grand success. Everyone thanked me for the nice trip. It was not only me ..The protocol people planned it meticulously. We should specially mention Srinivas. Security people staff of other courts took excellent care of us, though at some places we found some disturbing incidents…now we know how to take care and avoid such thing in our forthcoming trips.

At some places I felt lack of privacy by the unnecessary crowding of people but its my personel feeling. On the whole we had an excellent trip. I thank everyone for giving me a chance to be a part of this lovely trip.