Halli Maja, Fun In Village

As sun broke the darkness, the loud squawking of the parrots passing by woke up Spoorthi. It was pretty early in the morning and yet the village was buzzing as if its midday. The farmers were preparing the Bullock carts to bring the grains harvested. Spoorthi heard the jingling of the bells, sprung from the cot and ran outside. She found an old bicycle tyre lying in the corner, hung it to the edge of Bullock cart. As the cart went forward, the tyre moved back and forth like swing. Murali and friends who were playing gilli danda saw her swinging at edge of the cart and joined the party.. Now suddenly a big troop of kids screaming and cheering followed the farmers to the fields. As they were to step into the fields, a village elderly farmer chased the kids out with his walking stick, he was afraid that all the harvest will be ruined if the kids ran around.

Spoorthi and Murali came back home huffing and puffing, an inviting smell came from the kitchen. They peeped through the window, ajji was preparing breakfast, to Spoorthi's delight it was her favorite avarekalu upittu. Both of them rushed inside, washed their hands and eagerly squatted next to the cooking area. Call your grandfather promoted Ajji, Spoorthi ran to the Verandah and dragged her thatha along. They all sat in a circle, it had been at least a few months since they ate together.. Ajji wiping her tears of joy served the breakfast.

After cleaning the house it was time for washing clothes. As it was the start of Summer the well nearby was drying up and the water would only be used for drinking. Ajji had to go to the nearby kaluve (canal) to wash clothes. As she announced this, Spoorthi picked up a small pitcher and basket with unused clothes, this was one of the activities she loved. Once they arrived, Spoorthi jumped into the water enjoyed the play and finished her bath as Ajji was washing clothes. Many women were already at the canal, to make the job easier they would sing along folklore.. 

Couple of hours passed by after they returned home, Spoorthi continued her play with Murali and his friends. They tried their hands at catching the hen which would always slip off at the last moment, went around the big banyan tree holding hands together. Nothing would tire them even though it was blazing hot outside.

After finishing lunch, Ajji sat down by the wooden cot folding betel leaves and nuts, Spoorthi sat next to her and as she was looking around she noticed a long wooden box underneath the cot, this was new to her. She asked Ajji what was that.. Ajji slowly dragged it out and told her that it was a gift she got from her father when she was of the same age as Spoorthi. The box had nice design and carvings. As she opened the box out came a lot of tamarind seeds. What's are these seeds doing here exclaimed Spoorthi !!! Ajji explained the game Ali guli mane, a count and capture game. Each player has seven slots and 35 seeds, the player has to pick the seeds from one slot and distribute sequentially to other slots, idea is to create empty slots and capture the highest number of seeds. This was completely new and exciting for her, they sat down for the rest of afternoon playing the game. 

Soon it became dark. They still had a lot to do in preparation for the jatra which would start in couple of days. As the headman of the village all the proceedings for the fair would start from their house. Spoorthi helped Ajji to prepare the lamps made from the jaggery cubes which was a main part of the rituals for the fair. Many families would join them in the fair with Bellada aarthi, the jaggery lamps. By the time they finished this it was quite late, Spoorthi was very tired after a hectic and exciting day. . As it was just a couple of days to the full moon, the sky was bright and pleasantly lit the verandah. Dinner was served in the verandah, Ajji placed a big morsel as kai tuthu on small hands of Spoorthi. The food was dripping of her hands and it was fun to lick the spices of the hand. After dinner Tatha asked Spoorthi to lay down on his lap. She slept off even as she was still telling Thatha a list of things to buy in the fair. Thatha slowly lifted and put her to bed... 

More excitement was to come in couple of days !!!