The play ground in front of the library building was used to install Ganesh idol for the first time in 1980. A permanent platform was constructed. The first Ganesh image was a baby Ganesh standig in natraj pose on a huge damaru (drum). I could not find images of Ganpathi Idols at Sudha or Gowlipura Pandals of 1980. The below photos are taken from http://www.bhagyanagarganesh.com/ showing the procession at Charminar and the stage of Bhagyanagar ganesh Utsav Samiti in 1980.
The second year the Ganesh Idol at Sudha was a baby Ganesh seated in the lap of Shiva. The Gowlipura pandal had beautiful decorations in grand sets using plaster of paris on jute bags. Every year the Gowlipura pandal improvised, created caves or mountains, light and sound effects to make the experience of visitors memorable.
In 1982 we shifted our home to Haribowli. We stayed on the first floor in Doctor Gopalachary's house. I witnessed elder boys installing a Ganesh idol in the premises. I wish there were mobile phones wiht camera those days. There are no photos of that time. memories of a 7 years old me at that time are vague. some of the incidents are difficult to forget. There was communal riot as usual duirng the festival. One of the vegetable vendors by name Kishan, who had a shop in the front row of shops of Dr. Gopalacharys house, had met tragic end a day before the festival. He would sell additional items during festivals like Colours during Holi, Crackers durnig Diwali. Similarly Ganesh idols before Ganesh Chaturthy. He had purchased a goo number of ganesh idols and transporting to his shop. On the way he was attached in the communal flareup. He died of stab wounds the next day.
The second year the Ganesh Idol at Sudha was a baby Ganesh seated in the lap of Shiva. The Gowlipura pandal had beautiful decorations in grand sets using plaster of paris on jute bags. Every year the Gowlipura pandal improvised, created caves or mountains, light and sound effects to make the experience of visitors memorable.
In 1982 we shifted our home to Haribowli. We stayed on the first floor in Doctor Gopalachary's house. I witnessed elder boys installing a Ganesh idol in the premises. I wish there were mobile phones wiht camera those days. There are no photos of that time. memories of a 7 years old me at that time are vague. some of the incidents are difficult to forget. There was communal riot as usual duirng the festival. One of the vegetable vendors by name Kishan, who had a shop in the front row of shops of Dr. Gopalacharys house, had met tragic end a day before the festival. He would sell additional items during festivals like Colours during Holi, Crackers durnig Diwali. Similarly Ganesh idols before Ganesh Chaturthy. He had purchased a goo number of ganesh idols and transporting to his shop. On the way he was attached in the communal flareup. He died of stab wounds the next day.
It was also the year the Telugu Desham Party was formed by the legendary actor N. T. Ramarao. There were elections in Jan 1983. I looked up google for the month. Again during elections i witnessed riots at haribowli crossing from the safety of roof of our house. TDP won the elections and N. T. Ramra Rao became the first non Congress Chief Minister of the state.
In the Summer vacation of 1983 we visited my elder rother at Kolkata, which was then called as Calcutta. It was a long journey those days. We boarded Krishna express from Hyderabad. At Vijayawada we boarded the Coromandal express which runs from Chennai to Howrah.
My brother Dattattraya lived in tollygunge. I had seen the Howrah bridge only in text book and newspapers. I kept staring at it as we walked out of the Howrah station. My father took a taxi and showed him the address written on the back of inland letter that was sent by my brother. the Taxi driver dropped us at the address. we visited the Kali ghat, Museum and the Zoo. I enjoyed traveling by Trams.
The metro construction was going on in the city. I had no idea of metro. My father told its going to be similar to local trains and runs underground.
Back home in Hyderabad after a week long trip it was a turbulent time. One of my neighbours Mrs Nirmala Maheshwari was a teacher. She along with some other teachers founded a new school "Raghavendra High School". My parents were influenced to shift me and my younger brother to their school. First year at the new School was very trying time. I was nobody in the class. While at the earlier school i had friends and some rapport with teachers. To add to it the school was farther compared to the earlier school. It was hectic in the morning to get ready for school and start the walk. Must have been even more difficult for my brother. A year later my father rented a house nearer to the school. It was now just 10 min walk.
