Nurungulai…

     Covid19 lock down protocol is in progress. I have once again plunged into my old past time viz; reading, writing, gardening etc. But now God bless there is a thin flat gadget  with almost every body which can take you to any part of the world by a soft touch. I am no exemption. One evening as I was rolling the u tube posts, an old video of a rare breed of buffalo started playing. A hefty Sardarji, in his typical turban and colourful cloths was leading proudly  one of his pet buffaloes in a farm in Punjab.  It was obviously a Murah  breed. He was giving a talk to a videographer explaining  thread bare details of the animal. It was exceptionally heavy and dark. Decorated with multicoloured ribbons and ropes it strode in stile as if engaged in a ramp walk. It’s name is “yuvaraj” ,and no doubt an apt one. When I heard it’s price in the world market, it was mind blogging to me, an ordinary farmer from Kerala. Plus 8 cr. Even to that bid Sardar refused to part with his pet. It reminded me about the world;s smallest cow “Manikkam”, a native of kerala (vechur), which also is in the price tag of more than a few crores.

       I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was my wife who was watching the video from behind. Akin to her style, in measured words avoiding any  undue exaggerations told about the glory of a buffalo who was the most wanted and at the same time feared animal in her family. It’s name was Shanku. She continued that unlike Yuvaraj who appeared to be docile and gentle, Shanku was hostile and fearsome. Very often turned violent and charged on strangers. Only one or two members in the family could manage him. He refused to take command when irritated. But in style and stock he was almost like his Punjabi brother.   In spite of all these he was instrumental in bringing in glory to the family by winning an award in a state level cattle and poultry show held in Kozhikode on 13.3.1960 by the Director of Animal Husbandry, Govt.of kerala, exactly 60 years ago..There was also a prize money of Rs.125/- and a silver lamp as the trophy. This lamp is now reverently worshipped in the family Pooja room. Her brother the other day was describing the pain they  took to transport him to the venue of the show all the way from Wayanad in a lorry with the help three others. Yes, the award, besides the glory did bring in some considerations to them by way of free veterinary service of the doctor Mr.Harilaal who was incidentally  instrumental for the entire episode. Apart from that the bull later was considered as the best stud bull even in the neighbouring villages.

         There was a time when the family owned many pairs of buffaloes. At a time about 60 to 70 numbers. All of them were reared just for the preparations of the paddy field and for thrashing paddy when they were managing their vast property as a joint family.  I remember to have seen one of their herd keeper named Chandan (a tribal). He was an handicapped person as one of his legs were severed below his knee. He used to move about with the help of a long stick, which he positioned in between the remaining stub of the severed leg. I had seen him negotiating at great speed  jumping and shouting through the muddy paddy fields to keep the herd under his control. A speed and agility which even a normal youngster can not achieve at the peak of one’s health. The stock of such cattle and men have disappeared, leaving us with no option but to depend on machines, to satiate our endless greed……