The House Of Kanooru by Kuvempu

Author:Kuvempu
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
ISBN: 9789351188896
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2000-10-13T18:30:00+00:00

40

Arbitration on Dividing the Kanooru Lands

IT WAS THE day when the Kanooru house was to be divided. The day on which the family stream would divide itself into two. Though the event was just an ordinary one in the eyes of the outside world, it was a difficult time for the inmates of the house and their relatives, with each one’s heart lost in its own ripples of thoughts and feelings. While Hoovayya and Ramayya were distressed, Chandrayya Gowda and Nagamma were elated.

Subbamma too was anxious though she didn’t seem to know why. Puttamma and Vasu were bewildered and a medley of sadness, elation and fear assailed their minds. Puttanna was worried about his future, while the overseer Rangappa Shetty was strangely excited by the victory he had won. He was proud that Chandrayya Gowda looked upon him as his confidant. The workers felt helpless and had resigned themselves to whatever might happen. In any case, there was a bustle about the house since the morning.

A stranger would have thought that a special festival was to take place in the house on that day. There was a palpable air of expectation all around. The zari-turbaned Gowdas, Heggades and other leaders were seated on the jamakhana spread on the verandah. Resting their backs on the bolsters and chewing on the betel leaves and nuts laid out on a plate they had the air of ambassadors on an important mission as they talked casually. The assembly on the verandah was so impressive that Belara Baira who had come in through the main door talking loudly took one look at it, bit his tongue in contrition, retreated to the yard and regaled his mates with a description of the magnificent scene inside. Sorely tempted they came to the door one by one and peeped through the crack in it.

‘Bairanna, who is that one leaning against the pillar in front?’ asked Sidda.

‘Are you a stranger here to ask such a question? Isn’t he Basavegowda from Baidooru?’ Baira grinned, wanting to show that he knew every one of the landed gentry in that area. It was Halepaikada Thimma’s turn to peep. ‘What are you saying! The one sitting against the wall is Baidooru Basavegowda? The one against the pillar is Singegowda from Balooru!’ It was a blow to Baira the know-all’s claim.

Baira took another look. ‘Nonsense! Don’t I know Baidooru Basavegowda?’ he countered.

Thimma wouldn’t agree. They started to argue.

‘Wait, why do you have to shout like this? Here comes the overseer. We shall ask him. He knows everything,’ said Sidda.

Rangappa Shetty identified the turbaned gentry who had come there to arbitrate on the matter of dividing the property.

‘The one against the pillar is Nelluhalli Peddegowda . . . Sitting next to him and leaning against the wall is Muddooru Bharmegowda . . . The one sitting on this side of him, the short and lean one, is Entooru Sheshegowda . . .’

‘Is he the one who was charged with having abducted a girl?’ Baira intervened.

‘Don’t

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