Bhagotham a village story

Dasara festival is celebrated every year in Dharmajipet village on a grand scale. It is a practice in the village to perform a drama which is popularly known as Bhagotham, during the night of the Dasara festival. This time Gaddam Panthulu proposed to play Satya Harishchandra drama. The village President and other Grama Sabha members approved his proposal. President gave him an advance of Two thousand rupees for making the required arrangements.

Gaddam Panthulu is an expert actor and is popular in teaching such dramas to village artists. He studied very little but he knows many mythological stories, songs, and poems. That evening he assembled all artists in the village who participate every year in such dramas. He explained about the drama which they are going to perform.

Harishchandra was a king of Ayodhya and he was known for his honesty and commitment to truth. A sage by the name of Viswamithra wanted to test his honesty and truthfulness. He came to his court and asked for donations for conducting Yagna. At that time, Harishchandra had given away all his wealth in charity, hence had no wealth to give to the sage. But to stand for the truth, to pay Viswamithra, the king sold his kingdom, his wife, and his son, and he got employed by Katikapari as a graveyard keeper. He faced a lot of problems but did not swerve off the truth and he upheld the truth. End of the day sage Viswamithra applauded Harishchandra for his commitment to truth. Sage Viswamithra with all appreciation, restored king Harishchandra to his throne.

After detailing the story, Panthulu chose the persons who have to play major roles in that drama. Accordingly, Siddaiah is King Harishchandra, Bhikshapathi plays the lady role of Chandramathi wife of Harishchandra, Kistareddy is Katikapari, Kaladhar is sage Viswamitra, Venkatasami is Lohitasya son of Harishchandra, Shankaraiah is Nakshatraka and Balapochaiah is lord Shankara.

Gaddam Panthulu delegated work to members to bring costumes for the roles, mikes, sound boxes, make-up colors, wall settings, etc., from a nearby town. They have musical instruments like Tabla, Dolak, and Harmonium for daily practice. They are left with fifteen days for practice to perform on Dasara. He also instructed everybody to stop smoking, taking alcohol, and telling lies until Dasara. Panthulu strictly imposes discipline and the actors also follow him.

Panthulu has already purchased the Yakshaganam book of Harishchandra which has a story and songs and poems for each role in the drama. He made portions of each role written on paper and distributed them to respective actors to practice every day. He also advised all participants to come at 7 p.m. every day for rehearsals without fail.

Rehearsals started well with all the members coming at 7 P.M. Panthulu with his folk mixed melodious voice, started teaching songs and poems to all actors for their roles. Panthulu focussed on Siddaiah because of his lead role in the drama. Siddaiah has a well-structured body fit for a king. His voice culture is very good with base and melody. He is a quick learner also. The practice went well for the first three days.

On the fourth day, Siddaiah heard the news that his close relative passed away in a nearby village and he must go. The dead person has a close attachment to Siddaiah. They worked together for some agricultural work like digging the well, house centering work, and other miscellaneous work. They are more friends than relatives. Siddaiah has to go to attend his friend’s funeral and console the family. He went and stayed there for three days solacing the family.

Siddaiah informed Panthulu of his absence for three days. Panthulu is worried about the rehearsals of Siddaiah. Three days is a big gap. Without Siddaiah, it is difficult for other actors to practice their portion because Harishchandra's role is connected to most of the other characters.

Panthulu decided to see an alternate person for Harishchandra's role. He chose Balachandram as Harishchandra and gave him the script for practice. Balachandram is a little more educated compared to Siddaiah. Practice started.

Meanwhile, Siddaiah came back to the village. But when he came back, he came to know that his cow is missing. It is a milch animal and it gives a liter of milk every day. It is already a day back, the cow did not turn up from the cattle herd. His wife Neelamma and his son Rajesh enquired here and there in the village but they could not trace it out.

Panthulu checked with Siddaiah if he could join the practice. But Siddaiah told he must search for his cow first. Panthulu lost his hope in Siddaiah for his coming to rehearsals. He thought of intensifying the practice with Balachandram as Harishchandra. But somehow he is not happy with Balachandram. He has no other option because the show time is nearing.

Siddaiah has gone in search of his cow the same evening on his bicycle to nearby villages to trace it out. During day time he searched in cattle selling bazaars and at the night he enquired at all known cattle sheds in nearby villages.

On the third day he could get information that in a village, a landlord by the name of Laxmaiah tied a cow in his shed because the cow grazed part of his grown crop. Siddaiah met the landlord and asked for his cow. The landlord scolded Siddaiah for leaving the cow carelessly on fields to graze the grown crops. He asked Siddaiah to pay the compensation of his damaged crop and take the cow. Siddaiah pleaded for less penalty and somehow paid some amount and brought the cow back to his house by the third day night.

Siddaiah is tired from his heavy strain due to cycling, and sleepless nights for the last weekdays. The next day morning Panthulu and his drama team came to his house to greet him. Siddaiah is still in his bed but he woke up when the drama team came. Somehow Panthulu has a hope that Siddaiah can still pick up to play his role. He knows the talent and capability of Siddaiah. Once he puts on the costumes of his role Siddaiah involves in his role and he mesmerizes the spectator. Balachandram is very casual in his practice so can not replace Siddaiah. Harishachandra is a key role in the whole drama.

Panthulu asked Siddaiah whether he would join the rehearsals. Neelamma the wife of Siddaiah came out from Kitchen and said,” Panthulu, my husband is having a temperature. He roamed around all the villages in search of our cow and came with a fever. The doctor confirmed typhoid fever. He gave an injection, prescribed tablets, and advised him to take rest for at least weekdays. He cannot move out.” She conveyed politely but firmly. Panthulu could observe, the voice of Siddaiah was feeble. Now Panthulu got disappointed. He thought of making the drama show a big hit by popularising around nearby villages and performing greatly. Only six days are left, and he cannot imagine the show without Siddaiah. His hopes are vanished.

The last three days are left for practice. The village president enquired about the progress of the drama. Panthulu is not happy with the rehearsals. All other artists are doing well except Balachandram. He is more educated among the group. Coordination is missing among the artists because of Balachandram. Other artists got their roles by heart. But Balachandram for his Harishchandra role, could not learn his portion wholly. He adds his own words which is where the coordination will be missing with others. Moreover, his voice is not that good to sing and render poems. Panthulu does not entertain deviations. He knows that it will not work out on the stage. Sometimes he has to shout at Balachandram. But Balachandram retards back saying he is more educated and he can manage the show. That hurts Panthulu. He is worried that there is no wavelength matching with him and because of him other actors get confused, and end of the day, it will be a flop show.

That day, in the afternoon, Panthulu came to Siddaiah’s house. Siddaiah is doing some repair work for his cattle shed. Seeing Panthulu, he came to the front portion of his house and sat with Panthulu. ”Hope you are now feeling better”, Panthulu asked. “Yes Panthulu, I am better now.” Replied Siddaiah.

“ Siddaiah, why don’t you come for rehearsals today? Our Village head has high hopes and he gave some more money for materials. I am worried, people should not laugh at us.” Panthulu moving closer to Siddaiah held his two hands and asked with a pleading tone. Meanwhile, Siddaiah’s wife brought buttermilk for Panthulu.

“ Neelamma, tell him to come for rehearsals. Without him, the drama is a flop. It is our prestige Neelamma!” He said with a humble voice.

“ It is his wish, if he has enough strength he will come.” With her half clearance, Panthulu picked up some courage. “Re, Sidda! please join the rehearsals today.” Siddaiah said,” Leave me today. I will come tomorrow.”

Panthulu paused to talk and said,“ Okey Sidda, you read the whole script today and get it by heart. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, we will have extensive rehearsals. The third day is our performance. You are a key person. The whole drama is on your shoulders. Please pick up your health and show your performance. So far you performed many dramas. You can easily justify. It is a prestige for you, me, and our team.” He tied up Siddaiah with his words. Siddaiah also understood the pain of Panthulu. He decided to rise to the accession. He assured Panthulu to do his best.

Panthulu finally said,” You gave word to do well, you have to prove yourself to be a real Harishchandra.” He bound him with fetters of his words and went home with lightened heart. That night he informed his team that Siddaiah is going to join back and requested Balachandram to drop from practice. Balachandram readily agreed to quit since he was not very much interested to act in such a street drama.

One day before, the Dharmajipet village head arranged to make propaganda with the beating of a drum, in and around the village about the performance of a drama titled Satya Harishchandra.

The day has come. It is the Dasara festival and at night time on the school ground of Dharmajipet village, a stage is arranged with colorful wall curtains and lights for performing the Harishchandra Bhagotham ( A village drama ). In front of the stage, cloth carpets are arranged for seating villagers, and sidewise some chairs are arranged for the village head, members, and other invitees.

Mikes are arranged on the stage for artists and instrument players. Speakers, Shining lights are set up. Mike's testing is done. The show started with Vinayaka prayer by all artists from behind the curtain. After that Gaddam Panthulu welcomed the spectators, and gave a verbal introduction of the artists. He specially mentioned the ill health of Siddaiah and his problems before joining the final rehearsals. The curtain is raised for performing the drama.

It is an astonishing performance by all artists. The story is known to everybody. But the performance of the artists impressed everybody. Particularly performance of Sidddaiah is amazing on the stage. With his posture, costumes, and makeup he looked like a real Harishchandra. He lived in the character of Raja Harishchandra. His silver voice with songs and poems mesmerized the spectators. Spectators immersed in his role and started crying for his songs and poems while he sold his wife and son. His role as graveyard keeper while rendering the poems, made everybody think philosophically that nothing is permanent and everybody has to reach the graveyard at the end of life.

The next day the village president appreciated Panthulu, Siddaiah, and other artists for their wonderful performance. He felicitated them with shawls.

After two days, Siddaiah is chatting with his family members on the veranda of his house. A motorbike stopped in front of his house. Laxmaiah got off the bike and walked down to Siddaiah’s house and behind him, Panthulu also followed. Siddaiah saw Laxmaih and got shocked. He paid Rs.500/- as a penalty to Laxmaiah when his cow grazed his crop. He got scared whether his cow has again gone to his fields. He walked briskly to greet Laxmaiah. “ Anything wrong again with my cow?” he enquired in anxiety.

“ No, just coming to meet you,” Laxmaiah replied and went inside Siddaiah’s house. They sat in chairs in the hall. Laxmaih gave a cover to Siddaiah.

“ You are a big artist. Your village president is my friend. I saw your performance on Dasara night. I am very much impressed with your performance. I feel sorry to take a penalty from you for your cow grazing my crop. I am returning the amount to you adding Rs.500 more as my gift. I requested Panthulu to perform the drama in my village also. Our villagers want to see your performance. I make arrangements for the program. Please come.”

Siddaiah became speechless. Panthulu patted Siddaiah proudly.

Meanwhile, Neelamma brought buttermilk for them.

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