Bhaskaraiah goes with the villagers to the Kamadeva temple to document the beliefs of village folk. After all, that’s what he is here for. He sits in a corner of the temple and notices that the place is overflowing. People from the other villages, who normally come for Ooramma’s jathre and head back, have returned upon hearing about Sundru’s illness to express their sympathy and support. Several of them have daughters married into this village, several have daughters-in-law originally from here. They are also involved now in this unprecedented situation, though they don’t know what to advise. The paanaka flows as freely as saraayi at a wedding.

As more and more people come into the Kamadeva temple, Annaiah starts fumbling, bewildered by the flood of human anxiety. The villagers watch unbelievingly as they see him fading away in patches. Annaiah tries to sing a Kamadeva song and begin the annual rituals. The words don’t come. The villagers are transfixed as tears roll down his old cheeks. He gulps and tries again and all that comes out is a croak.

Puttaswamegowda puts his arm around Annaiah and gets a wild look in return. ‘This won’t work. You must go to Ooramma temple and pray for him. Pray for Sundru! Will you take everyone and go?’

Pray at the Ooramma temple? Puttaswamegowda is shocked. On the eve of Kamanahabba!

‘This is beyond my powers. Get Dasegowda and pray. I must go!’ he tells Puttaswamegowda.

Whispers and fear rise in waves from the seated villagers.

‘It does not matter who performs the prayers, me or Dasegowda, to Kamadeva or Ooramma,’ Annaiah pleads, his voice rising higher and higher. ‘The prayer must happen!’

‘But why? Where are you going? What will you do?’ Puttaswamegowda asks.

‘I must fulfil my destiny. I must go to your house and be with your son today,’ Annaiah says quietly.

Puttaswamegowda is still puzzled. Neither he nor the villagers remember Annaiah’s vow or prophecy. Eventually, Puttaswamegowda announces to all present that prayers will be offered at the Ooramma temple before they return for the ritual burning of the dolls here.

22. Annaiah’s Penance

22

ANNAIAH’S PENANCE

veryone shuffles through the village, past the shuttered headman’s house, shushing the questions of the womenfolk inside, straight to the Ooramma temple. Bhaskaraiah goes with them, adjusting his spectacles and shaking his head at the villagers’ blind beliefs. Siddegowda rouses Dasegowda, who is resting at home; it is after all Kamadeva’s day.

Unnoticed, Annaiah makes his way to the wall. With an agility belying his age, he climbs the banyan tree and crosses over. As midnight approaches, a chill wind is blowing. The villagers continue to pray at the Ooramma temple, waiting for a message from Annaiah to come back and finish the doll-burning ritual. It has to be done before daybreak …