Blazed Belly
By Rajashekar Halemane, translated by Mitun Chakarvarthy
Summary
Rajashekar Halemane has written a poignant story that throws light on the pitiable condition
of migrants. The migrants are in extreme poverty due to difficult drought conditions, the
apathy of the government and the people. They are at the mercy of the rich and powerful.
The author highlights the role of politicians who exploit unfortunate situations to settle
disputes and resolve enmity with their opponents. The rich and powerful people of the town
take advantage of the situation to suit their agenda. The author reflects a mirror of a cruel
and heartless world where people in power prevail, crush the dreams and livelihoods of
migrants. The migrants are helpless and have no option but to escape from the heartless
people.
Jayanna is a migrant worker working at Mallappa Gowda’s house, who is a rich landlord and
a powerful person in the town. Jayanna is penniless, his wife Sunklavva is sick and
bedridden, and she is unable to work and support the family. Jayanna has 4 children. They
are in extreme poverty with no food and water. One day, Jayanna goes to bring water
because his children are thirsty. With great hardship, he manages to get a pot of water. He
returns home, cooks a gruel and feeds his family. Later, he goes to Mallappa Gowda’s house
to ask for some help. When he is there, Mallappa Gowda’s wife offers him roti, which he eats
greedily. Just as he finishes, his wife Sunklavva comes crying and tells him that Paati, their
youngest daughter, is dead. Paati dies because she eats mud due to hunger. Mallapa
Gowda, who is a shrewd and cunning man, hears this and wants to capitalise on the
situation.
Mallappa Gowda has an enmity with Veerayya Swamy, who is the MLA of the town.
Veerayya Swamy promised to help Mallappa build his house if he helped him win elections.
But after the elections, Veerayya stopped giving money to Mallappa to build his house.
Mallappa has to sell his gold to complete building his home. Later, Mallappa comes to know
that Veerayya Swamy has built a new home for himself. This causes deep enmity between
Mallappa and Veerayya.
Jayanna’s case was a good opportunity for Mallappa Gowda to take his revenge. Mallappa
alerts the press about Paati's death. He instigates the members of his community to revolt
against Veerayya. He blames Paati’s death on the neglect of Veerayya. Mallappa convinces
Jayanna not to bury Paati’s body until Veerayya comes there personally and offers him
money.
Jayanna and his family are made captive by Mallappa and his henchmen. They erect a
pandal and a dias . Paati’s body is decorated and kept in a cradle on the dias. Ironically,
Lunch and drinks are arranged for all the people present there. People from near and far
start visiting Jayanna. Meanwhile, Veerayya’s men approach Jayanna to quickly bury Pati’s
body, they also offer Jayanna some money. Soon, a fight breaks out between the two
groups. The fighting causes the cradle to fall of the dias, and Paati's body rolls on the
ground. Distressed and shocked, Jayanna carries Paati's body, and the family runs away to
their native village.
The short story is a sad tale of apathy of the rich, towards the weaker sections of the society.
It reflects on corruption and power struggle in politics.
