The useful Beggars

 

The state government is planning to make Andhra Pradesh a beggar-free state. AP ranks third in the country in having the most number of beggars, after West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. But then, like in any class or group of people, there are good and bad beggars. Have you not noticed that beggars have their territories which they claim as their kingdoms and don't permit any intrusion by outsiders (other beggars) You will notice that some prime points for begging are bus stops/ stands. It is here that we find beggars to be useful to us.

Now imagine what would have happened to our good friend, Geigy Ramakrishna if it weren't for these beggars. He had a habit of dozing off (light sleep and not slumber) while travelling by bus. He and I had almost identical working territory (Guntur City and Prakasam District) So quite now and then our outstation work used to coincide. So on one of such days of coincidence, we were planning to work at an outstation (Kandukur) travelling by bus from Ongole. We boarded a bus from the bus stand very close to our hotel. Being close friends, we sat next to each other on a two seater. He surely slipped into light sleep immediately as was his habit. About 30-40 minutes later when the bus stopped, without opening his eyes, he remarked "oh, we have reached Tanguturu" and dozed back again. When the bus halted next after another 15 minutes or so, he said "are we still in Singarayakonda?" without even looking out of the bus window. 

I wondered how he knew where we were even without looking out (infact, even without opening his eyes) When I asked him, he used to jokingly tell me "తాయెత్తు మహిమ" meaning power of the proverbial magical arm band (amulet) But on a serious note, he said the beggar song is an indicator of the exact location. For example, if you heard the beggar singing 'నడిరేయి ఏ జాములో (nadireyi ye jaamulo, asong from movie Rangula Raatnam) you can be certain that it is Tanguturu. Similarly when you hear నడిపించు నా నావ, నడి సంద్రములో నా దేవా (nadipinchu naa naava, Nadi sandramulo Naa devaa - meaning, oh my God please guide my ship in this deep sea)" it is Singarayakonda. He gave me a Gnana Bodha (new knowledge) about the beggar kingdoms and the IDs associated with various bus stops/stands and public locations. Some IDs he mentioned were:

1. వెప్పుల్ల..వెప్పుల్ల... ముఖంపుల్ల (tender neem branch piece used for brushing teeth) salesman 

2. ఏడూకొండల సామి ("Yedukondala swamy ekkadunnavayya" a song in praise of Lord of Seven Hills)

3. శిలలపై శిల్పాలు చెక్కినారు (Silalapai Silpalu Chekkinaru, Telugu movie song from Manchi Manasulu)

4. ఈ జీవన తరంగాలతో, ఈ దేవుని చదరంగంలో (ee jeevana tarangalalo aa devuni chadarangam lo, a Telugu movie song from Jivana Tarangalu)

These were made as "trade mark" songs by beggars at different locations. One can be certain of the identity of such locations when you hear that song.

I can also recollect a few instances where a representative not possessing the above discussed "GYAN" had to modify daily work plan and implement PLAN B and work at a different town as he failed to take the beggar song cue on reaching the originally planned destination town due to dozing.

I also had a unique experience in Markapur town. During one of my visits to a doctor, I saw a beggar woman coming out from his consultation room. I was surprised as I recognized her as a beggar I used to see regularly begging at Markapur Railway Station. I also recollected that she used to beg saying that she had a child going to school. When I enquired from the doctor, he confirmed that the woman was indeed the same beggar and her child was studying. Later, I used to be extra generous in giving her some monetary help whenever I saw her at the railway station for about 2-3 years. Later she was not seen. I don't know what happened to her later. She used to be a sick woman ever since I first saw her. It was probably the love for her child's progress that made her come out and beg inspite of her ill health. Did she succumb to her ill health? I don't know. I hope I was wrong and her little grown-up child was looking after her.