Having lived near the School
and Library building, seeing the students in uniform for a long time I was looking
forward to going to school. My first day to School was exciting. I would be
walking into the semi-circular building for the first time. The entrance was
from a side door away from the main road. My mother came to drop me. My younger
brother was in her arms, he was looking around curiously and jumping out of
grasp to join other kids going up the stairs. A woman took my bag and led me to
the first floor. It was a very long hall with benches arranged in rows. The
class rooms were separated by curtains. Windows were too high for me to see
outside. The Bell rang and all childing ran out of hall and went up to the roof.
It was assembly time and morning prayer was held on the roof. I have never been
to a high place. I liked the view of Sudha talkies. Recognized my house on left
side. That was a vivid memory of my first day at school.
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| Dilip |
Days passed, and I made
friends. C Ramesh has been my friend and classmate since nursery. After third standard my parents shifted me to Raghavendra High School, Ramesh was again my Classmate there. He is the longest known friend. He completed school with me in 1990. We were back benchers. Reason being we were average students in studies and also among the taller boys. He is in touch
event today in 2020. Some other names I recall are Narayana, Ramdev, Gopal,
Anamika, Aarti, Pallavi and Pavani sisters were with me since Nursery in BGVS
school. Narayana was sent to a boarding school, I think after 1st
standard. I met him only once after that. He lived in the lane beside Sudha
Talkies that went to Bela Colony. Ramdev was a marwadi. His House was just
about 100 meters form school towards Gowlipura. He used to play with me but did
not go far from his house. Gopal was one friend who would roam around the lanes
with me. Play in sand at construction site or go with me to other friends’
homes after school. He would come with me to grocery store when my mother sent
to buy something. Gopal unfortunately discontinued school. I would meet him on outside
sometimes. I met him last time around 1990-91 on Sudha talkies main road. He called
out to me just to check if I still speak to him. Gopal did not tell me what he did
for a living. Though I stayed in old city until 2002. I did not see him again after
that.
 |
| Diwakar |
Mr. Rangaiah family was
another tenant at the house of Anant Chitgopkar. Rangaiah was an employee in District
education Office. His wife was a teacher in Venkat Rao memorial school at
Laldarwaza. Their first child Naveen was one year younger to me. That year Rangaiah’s
second child was born. He was named Praveen. I was very excited to see the
baby. One day Vasundhara, the younger daughter of house owner started a new
practice. All the children would get the dinner plates full of food to the
terrace. We ate dinner together and played until the parents took us back to
bed.
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| Naveen & Dilip |
In my home I was jealous of
attention my Diwakar got. I did not like him playing with my toys. I would
treat his toys as mine. My mother narrated how badly I disliked my brother. A
few days after my mother came home with the baby from maternity hospital, I asked
her to give back the baby to the Hospital. My elder brother Datta who was 19
years older to me had joined ONGC. He came back home on leave. He was a new person
for Diwakar. Datta lifted Diwakar playfully. Diwakar cried out and escaped into
kitchen. Diwakar stayed away from Datta for few days. That time we shifted our
home to a house on street leading to Chandulal Bela. Opposite to Pathak
building and the Girni (flour mill). Owner was an old widow by name Yenkamma. This
was also a Wada with five tenants. One of the neighbors was Benglurkar family.
Their son was in Indian Army. Their house had a nice Boat with many sails displayed
in showcase. I used to watch it closely and wonder how it was made. Diwakar was
also admitted in BGVS school. This year was event full. I saw another curfew.
Schools were closed. My father reached home in the afternoon. His office staff
included few muslims. They informed him around mid-day saying “Kulkarni saab
dopahar ko hi gharjao”. My father and few
of those who lived in old city left he office in Goshamahal and went past
Charminar. My father used to say “Badh ka jhaad paar karlo. Khowa bela se safe
hotahai”. There is still that Badh ka jhaad( banyan tree) on way from Charminar
to Shalibanda.
My father spent Sundays with
friends discussing various things. Among them were Gangakhedkar, Jagirdaar,
Gopal Rao malkhed, Ananht Chitgopkar,
Shankar Bhatt. Shankar bhatt was the pujari , his residence was on Shalibanda
main road. My father consulted him on religious matters. My grand fathers
shradh karma was performed at home. Now a days we go to Reghavendra swami mutt
to perform annual Shradh. In those days all arrangements were made at home. My
mother used to cook as per occasion.
 |
| Dattatraya |
Later that year my Datta got
engaged miss Padma Ganneri. I and my brother were picked up from school and
taken to the engagement ceremony. In the photo I am seated between my brother
and would be Sis-in-law. This is the only photo of me in uniform of BGVS school.
 |
| Dilip with Anna and Vaini |
Mr. Jahagirdar had retired
from police. He came during Operation Polo to Hyderabad and settled. His house
was near the playground in lane opposite to Dr. Gopalachary Residence.
Gangakhedkar’s house was at the Bela cross road where today Keshav Netralaya stands.
Gangakhedkar house was one of meeting points for my father, Vyasachar and Jahagirdar. Vyasachary was a friend from early days of my family in hyderabad. Last known they were living in Essamiya bazar. He was a teacher
in Nrupatunga High School. My brother Datta and eldest son of Vyasachar Mr.
Hanumanthachar( Also called as Koppanna), were friends. Vyasachaar used to visit old city during the Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana days. Which is celebrated for three days in August every year. He would reach Gangakhedkar residence and they together would walk to
the temple. On one of such days I was playing outside my home.
My Vyasachar saw and told me in
telugu “Mattilo atalu enti. Chduvuko poo” [why do you play in dust… go and
study]. Then walked on towards the temple. I was upset and ran inside. In the
evening as I entered home from he was there having tea with my father. He smiled
at me. My reaction was a series of questions… Mama why did you shout at me in Telegu?
how do you know I did not study? all my home work is done. You recognized me
yet why you did not speak to me in Kannada.? My father was taken aback. Vyasyachar
was surprised. I was asked to go inside. My mother lectured me on respecting
elders, decency etc. She asked me what is wrong if an elder asked you not to
play on street. It was a feedback on my sensitive nature and nature to retort unnecessarily.
Old days are golden days.Vada system and the culture and the bond between families of the tenants and owner were excellent those days.We are missing all those in apartments.Very well narrated,the whole picture came Infront of eyes.
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