" PEDDAKKA ", a short story in telugu written by Nerella Srinivas Goud, a poet and story writer, who hails from Jagtial district in Telangana State.This short story is translated to english by S.Rajesh Kumar.Asst. Prof of English.It is published in IJELLS Vol.8, Issue 2 July 2019
Rajesh Kumar Saduneni
is an Assistant Professor of English working at SRR Government .Arts
&Science College, Karimnagar, Telangana. He is pursuing his PhD from Osmania
University, Hyderabad. His broad area of interest is Caribbean literature. He participated
in various national seminars and submitted research articles.
Peddakka
Wr. by Nerella Srinivas Goud
Tr. by Rajesh kumar Saduneni
(Originally written in Telugu and translated to
English)
Three
years had gone since Lachanna left for Bombay. He wrote letters for two to
three months ,but they stopped after some time. Peddakka has been writing
letters to the address, from which she received the letters, but got no
response from Lachanna.
Lachanna‘s
father went to Bombay in search of his son. He was unable to find Lachanna’s
whereabouts and got no information.All came to a conclusion that Lachanna is no
more. Peddakka‘s dreams shattered with the passage of time . Peddakka couldn’t
dare to imagine a life without Lachanna. She used to delight imagining a
beautiful life with Lachanna.
Is
that delight going to evaporate? She dreamt innumerable times. Are those
countless dreams futile? Are those revelries, chit-chats, lovely talks and
affectionate words gone?
Peddakka
is the eldest of the family. Her father died soon after giving birth to her
sister and brother. Mother is a differently abled woman. Peddakka became the
head of the family as the family burden had fallen on her shoulders. Peddakka
was married off to Lachanna at the age of ten. Lachanna also belongs to the same
village. They both played, worked and roamed together since childhood.
Are
all the enjoyments, countless chats just a dream?
Childhood
went off happily. Both entered youth. Elders enquired about an auspicious day
to present new clothes and a cot on their bedding ceremony as per tradition.
One
day Lachanna said to Peddakka “ I wish to go to Bombay” .Why…? asked Peddakka.
“We
need seven to eight thousand rupees to offer food to at least our community
folks on the day of removal of nails and presentation of clothes and a
cot. So I will go to Bombay to earn” said Lachanna.
Page-2
“A
lot of jobs are here to do .. Why should you go to a faraway place to
earn? “Difficult to accumulate that much
of money even you do much work”. Said Lachanna.
Lachanna
turns a deaf ear to Peddakkka and went to Bombay. He never returned.
Peddakka
engrossed completely in thoughts of Lachanna.
What
happened to him? Did he miss in Bombay?
he
is not a kid to miss.
Why
didn’t he return yet? Dead? She can’t stop her tears when the word Death came
to her mind.
Is
her life to become solitary? Peddakka has been thinking over it. Days are
passing by.
Peddakka
couldn’t forget Lachanna.
One
day Lachanna’s parents Ramaiah and
Narsamma came to peddaka’s house. As soon as Narsamma entered,she cried holding
peddakka and her mother for some time. Ramaiah consoled all. The women wiped
off their tears with saree kongu.
Ramaiah said to Muttakka. “ Muttakka .. .. we
will arrange a second marriage to Peddakka” .
This
word is a bolt from the blue to Peddakka. What will happen to brother and
sister, if I remarry? Mother’s condition is pitiable. Who takes care of
them? Peddakka engrossed with the
thoughts of concern over her family.
“Brother … I too think the same” said Muthavva, mother
of Peddakka.“ What is your opinion Peddakka”? asked Ramaiah.
Peddakka
is in a state of confusion and worry. She is unable to speak . Instead of searching
for their son,why do they want to marry off daughter-in-law? Peddakkka is
confident of her husband’s return.
“We
can’t expect future days. Your life shouldn’t spoil” Ramaiah said again.
Peddakka
understood. The old parents are insecured over the safety of single woman, if
she lives in the paternal house.
Page-3
Why
these people are thinking about daughter- in- law instead of their son?
“Peddakka,
we want to marry off you..” said Narasamma.
Peddakka
didn’t speak. Ramaiah asked again “ I hope that your son would come one day.”
Said Peddakka.
Ramaiah
eyes welled up as soon as he heard his son’s name. He is weeping with his head
bend downwards. Narsamma is shedding tears,covering her face with saree “ I
will think over it after waiting for some more days” said Peddakkka. Ramaiah
and Nasamma went. The days were passing by.
Lachanna
didn’t come. All gradually forgot Lachanna. Pressure is mounting on Peddakka
for remarriage.
Peddakka
didn’t care their words. She married off and sent her sister to In –laws house. She also married off her brother Gangadhar.
After marraiage there was a change in the behavior of Gangadhar. He became hen pecked husband and started neglecting
her mother. Mother’s burden had fallen on Peddakka.
One
day Ramaiah and Narsamma met village elders and explained Gandgadhar’s indifferent
attitude towards his mother. Village elders gathered and called Peddkka,
Gandgadhar and Muthakka. They warned Gangadhar about not taking care of his
sister and mother and handed over the responsibility of mother to him. Elders strongly
supported the idea of Peddakka’s remarriage. Ramaiah urged elders to take the
responsibility of marrying off Peddakka. Elders began searching for bridegroom as the
onus lies on them. Nobody was ready to listen to Peddakka and no one cared her
refusal to remarry. They decided Chandraiah is the right person to Peddakkka.
Chandraiah is the eldest of his family. Chandraiah was a divorcee. His first
wife was a stubborn lady. She is lazed to work. He divorced her. He had no
agricultural fields.
Page-4
They live as agricultural labourers. One day
elders called Chandraiah and his parents and proposed marriage between
Chandraiah and Peddakka. Chandraiah and his parents agreed to the marriage.
The
wedding took place at the temple which is in the outskirts of the village. Peddakka
started a new life. The couple was made to separate from the family. All the family couldn‘t
live under one roof,as there is no room for new couple. New couple built a hut
beside their parent’s hut. They were living happily, working as labourers in
the fields. Some days passed on. Peddakka gave birth to a son and a daughter.
Expenses were increasing. Earning was not sufficient. Chandraiah desired to
earn so much money. He decided to go to Dubai, so that he can earn more money.
One day he told the same to Peddakka. She
remembered Lachanna when she heard the
word Dubai. Lachanna, who went to Bombay
to earn money had not returned yet, What
if it repeats in the case of Chandraiah
? Peddakka cried. Chandraiah tried to pacify his wife on this
issue. She did not accept the proposal. Peddakka told that begging is rather
better than going to Dubai. Chandraiah desire was growing gradually as the days
pass by .
The
reason for his growing desire was that some villagers, who went to Dubai and Saudi
returned rich. Some earned money and purchased agricultural fields.
Chandraiah’s
idea is that if he works for 4 years in Dubai, he can build a house and also
deposit some money for his daughter’s wedding. He met an agent . The agent
brought the visa soon. Peddakka came to know about Visa. She became sulky. She
stopped talking and stopped showing her face and stopped eating. Chandraiah was
not happy with her behaviour. She didn’t
give in.
Chandraiah
and relatives tried to woo her.
Page-5
“If
chandraiah goes to Dubai, you would be the beneficiaries” said relatives. But she was
adamant. She argued that Chandraiah should not go to Dubai.
Chandraiah
went to Dubai, taking loans, despite her unwillingness.
Two
years have gone. Her mind settled gradually. He sent some money to the family
and cleared loans . some amount also deposited. Seeing the accumulated money, Peddakka
felt happy.
Some
days passed by.
Chandraiah
came home on leave. He bought sarees for his wife, watch,clothes for kids and
some home needs while coming from Dubai. His hut is full of relatives.
Relatives are coming daily. Peddakka is serving Toddy, Mutton to the relatives.
Rs 100 Toddy is ordered everyday. One week passed by.
One
day sarpanch came to Chandraiah’s hut”Chandraiah… ..! How many years you live
in small hut…..? said sarpanch.
“Till
I get the enough amount to build a house”. said Chandraiah
“Common
man is not in a position to build a house if you observe prices.” again said
Chandraiah
“I
don’t need a house. sarpanch”.
“Do
you live in the same hut”?
“I
want to buy agricultural land” said Chandraiah.
“Chandraiah
….. first construct a house then purchase land “ said sarpanch.
“we
don’t need a house. It is enough if I built a wall to the hut, said Chandraiah.
“building
a wall is not less expensive…"?
“If
I build a wall with a trip of bricks. It
costs less expenditure.”
Those
bricks would be useful when I build a house” said Chandraiah.
“Chandraiah….!
Why do you spend money two times.?
“
Three or four lakhs are needed to
construct”
“not
that much…..1.50 lakhs are enough” said sarpanch.
Peddakka
has been listening to their words, rolling beedies.” We don’t construct a house
even though it costs a small amount.”said Peddakka
Chandraiah
said, “ we will build a house after a year”
“Chandraiah
…! You need one lakh rupees to go to
Dubai for the first time…………you don’t need that now and also the company which
you worked is famous.” Said sarpanch.
The
words spoken by sarpanch has made Peddakka angry.
Page-
6
Looking
at sarpanch, she said with a bit of anger,“ Brother …..! We don’t construct now
even if you advise many times”
Nevertheless
sarpanch tried to woo them in many ways. Chandraiah didn’t speak.
Sarpanch
left saying “your wish”
Chandraiah
immersed in thoughts . There is a truth in what sarpanch has said. Anyway we
have to construct a house in future. Why not now?
If
we construct a house now, we may fall in debt but they can be cleared in one year.
Chandraiah
said, “ Looking at Peddakka “ will construct a house”
Peddakka
looked at him angrily. She said angrily. “We don’t want house. …we can construct after depositing some
money.”
Page-7
“Sarpanch
is ready to sanction the grant from the govt.” said Chandraiah.
Peddakka
said “the grant is not enough to build
even the basement…… How can you run the family?
“All
the loans will be cleared in one year” said Chandraiah.
Taking
short pause Peddakka said angrily “do as you wish”.
Chandraih
determined to construct house… They drew muggu on the plot on an auspicious
day. Construction started and finished in a few days.
Three
lakhs were borrowed for construction. Peddakkka was feeling nervous.
But
her husband was brave enough to build the house.
Chandraiah
was confident that he has a visa to go to Dubai. All the debts will be cleared ,
if he works hard for three years.
One
year passed since Chandraiah left for Dubai. He is not sending money. Though
Peddakka called him up umpteen times.
One
year loan period has passed
Interest
is increasing on loans. Lenders are pressuring her to pay interest rather than
principal amount.
Peddakka
was passing the time saying “ He will send money next month, I will pay as soon
I receive.”
Days
were passing by.
She had been waiting for husband’s money.
Time
passes by.
One
day in the morning Chandraiah came to village with a small bag on his shoulder.
He is now with grown beard, untidy clothes and hair. He is in disordered state.
Peddakka
shocked seeing her husband / she was upset seeing her husband.
The
news of chandraiah’s arrival spread in the village. One by one came to enquire about
his appearance. Chandraiah narrated his ordeal. How he searched for job and troubled
for food when he lost job in the company after one month.
Peddakka
couldn’t stop weeping. Nobody cared her sobbing. The visitors were mostly money
lenders of the village. Lenders felt uneasy and anxious.. No one asked him to
repay the money. Neverthless Chandraiah
assured all“ I will pay borrowed money with interest.”
He
started working as a coolie on sand tractor. Peddakka is rolling beedies. Though
they worked hard, they couldn’t clear interest.
One
day Chandraiah while filling up sand in the tractor along with three labourers,
put his basket on the ground said “feeling pain here” and collapsed on the
ground, putting his hand on the chest.
His
co-workers came near and make him sit and gave some water to drink. On seeing
his condition, they emptied the tractor and took him to the hospital. Doctor
examined and declared him dead. They took his dead body to the village. The
village was shocked by the sudden death
of Chandraiah.
Suddenly
there are loud cries. “ Oh …naa ayya …O na ayya.. what have you done ….
“
Oh …naa ayya…“ Oh …na ayya never thought you do like this…..“ Oh …na ayya
“
Oh …na ayya…… small kids ……“ Oh …na ayya…
“
Oh …Na ayya…… How the kids grow….“ Oh …na ayya
How
do I marry off them …….“ Oh …na ayya
Have
lot debts………“ Oh …na ayya
What
do I say to money lenders….“ Oh …na ayya
“
Oh …na ayya … How should I show my face
to them…….
“
Oh …na ayya ….you have made us shame….“ Oh …naayya
It
is difficult to express Peddakkka’s sorrow. Only suffering remained in her
life.
Notes:-
Removal
of nails- A kind of bridal preparation on the day before wedding
Nerella Srinivas Goud
