Tagar Thakappa

There once lived an old woman, Ajji, who was very happy as her granddaughter Akanksha was coming to visit her!

Ajji started making all of Akanksha's favourite dishes, let's see what they were.

Snacks like Besan laddu, chakali, Shankar pali, anarasa, chiroti, chivda,bhakar vadi mmmm…. mouth watering and delicious the aromas of all that Ajji was cooking were wafting out of her hut.

And the hungry tagar, (that's a ram, a he-sheep) was attracted to the hut. What a sight he was, huge horns on his head and a strong body to match and a bell in his neck which always jingled every time he move his head," Gilgilik, Gilgilik." He was just waiting for a chance to gobble up all the eats.

Poor Ajji did not know this, for the wily Ram was well hidden. Had she known, would she go out to buy the bananas that she knew Akanksha loved from a nearby neighbour?

The mighty tagar pushed the door of the hut, for Ajji had not chained it nor had she locked it, the cunning animal also managed to close the door of the hut.

Gobble gobble gobble gobble he ate frantically for he knew he had very little time before Ajji returned. He gulped down all the besan laddu, polished off the chakali, Shankar pali, anarasa, chiroti, chivda, bhakar vadi. He was about to escape when Ajji returned.

Somehow Ajji was cautious she did not enter the hut.

"Who is there inside my house?" she asked.

Now Tagar was scared, for all his strength he was scared of the beating that Ajji was capable of giving him. So he said in a very loud voice, "I am Tagar Thakappa, I can break the tiger's teeth, the wild buffalo is scared of me as I can break his horns. Should I come bare handed of bring a rope." And at this point he moved his head so the bell hanging in his neck went,"Gilgilik, Gilgilik."

Ajji, poor old woman was scared. She told the passing cat whom she used to always give a saucer of milk see who was inside.

The cat came and said," Meaw maieo? Who is there inside Ajji's house? Come out at once!"

The Tagar was not scared of the cat so he said"I am Tagar Thakappa, I can break the tiger's teeth, the wild buffalo is scared of me as I can break his horns. Should I come bare handed of bring a rope. Gilgilik, Gilgilik."

Meiow said the cat and ran off as fast as it could.

Next Ajji asked the faithful dog to see who was inside.
The dog came and said," Bow wow? Who is there inside Ajji's house? Come out at once!"

The Tagar was not scared of the dog also so he said"I am Tagar Thakappa, I can break the tiger's teeth, the wild buffalo is scared of me as I can break his horns. Should I come bare handed of bring a rope. Gilgilik, Gilgilik."

The scared dog ran off with his tail in between his legs.
The old woman was in despair and was in tears when her neighbour was passing by. Seeing her looking so worried he asked," Ajji what happened? You look worried."

So Ajji told her all that had happened.
"Hmm," he said, "Ajji I think I can help you .Get me a strong stick I will teach Tagar Thakappa a lesson."

When he had the stick he asked in a loud stern voice," Hey who is this? Come out at once!!"

Tagar Thakappa was scared now. He understood that now there was no escape. He ran out as fast as he could, but he was not fast enough. the man hit him three or may be four times.

Iit was enoungh Tagar Thakappa never came back to Ajji's hut again.

Kadab Kadab

There was once an old Brahmin who poor but very devout. He used to go people's houses and perform pooja, eat there and go home with whatever donation that was offered to him.

One day he came to Ak's house. Ak watched him perform the pooja, and was eagerly waiting for food to be served.

She ran excitedly to sit on the floor cross legged. The server first put banana leaves on the flour. Ak, the expert quickly sprinkled water and cleaned the leaf. Then they were served salt and a piece of lime on the left of the leaf ,this was followed by chutney and salad went right under it, potato vegetable to the right, then" gooju" a sweet sour vegetable, BHaaji, and plain dal rice and ghee on it. Lastly a little kheer was served as prasad.

When everyone said "Venkat Raman Govinda Govinda" Ak started eating her food. First she ate the Kheer, and then she took the piece of lime and squeezed it on the rice and daal and ate it. By then they were serving rasam, a watery but tangy dal to be eaten again with rice.

Ak who was sitting opposite the Brahmin was by now excitedly jumping about in her place for she knew now Kadab would be served. The Brahmin was puzzled for he had never eaten Kadab, in fact he had never ever heard about it. He was wondering how to eat it, for he was feeling quite embarrassed about a small girl knowing about it and him not now knowing. He finally decided to follow exactly what Ak did.

The Brahmin was first served the Kadab. What did he see? Nothing but a semi circle puffed up in between. He looked at it carefully Hmmm. … . It was a poori that was folded into half with some stuffing in it. But what was the stuffing? And how did one eat it? He looked at Ak.

What did Ak do when Ak was served the Kadab? She used her thumb and made a hole in it. The Brahmin did the same.

Ak's mother came with the ghee and poured it in hole made in the kadab.

Hmm what did Ak do? She picked up the kadab and ate it! the Brahmin did the same.

Yum yum yum did it taste nice?

Yes. He loved the flavour it had and tried to identify the ingredients in it there was hoorna which is mixture of chana dal and jaggery, with cashew nut and raisins all stuffed in then folded into a semicircle.

The Brahmin ate 4, 5 6 till he was feeling quite stuffed.

Before leaving for home he asked Ak's mother what the sweet was called.

Ak's mother told him that they were called kadab

So the Brahmin left, on the way he went on muttering to himself,"Kadab kadab." His home was far away so the Brahmin went on and on,"Kadab, Kadab."

Dhadam….! !!

down fell the Brahmin! .There was a stone in his way but he did not see it so engrossed he was in his thoughts of kadab.Quickly he got up and looked around. Thankfully there was no one around he dusted himself and started again.

This time he went on say ,"Bidee bidee…." This in kananda means I fell down.

So on reaching home he called his wife, Shanta, and told her ," I have eaten a wonderful sweet today its called bidee bidee .I want to eat more of them so make it."

Shanta was surprised and told him,"Bidee bidee ? what is it ? I do not know this .How can I make it ?surely there is some mistake."

"No", roared the Brahmin, "it was bidee bidee and I want it."

Shanta was at a loss the more she tried to reason with him the worse he became and finally he slapped her on her cheek.

Now Shanta decided to leave him alone and went off inside without a word.

In the evening she went to the well to fill water where she met her friends.

On of the ladies said,"Arre Shanta why is your cheek swollen?" It's as big as a kadab.""

The Brahmin heard it and started yelling ,"yes yes it was kadab and not bidee bidee."

Shanta struck her forehead and said, " You should have told me earlier I would have made it."

The next day Shanta made kadab and her husband ate to his hearts content.

Kolhoba Kolhoba

This story my granny narrated to us repeatedly. It was a favourite among us cousins. The buzz word was," Ajji kathi heltal" i.e. Ajji will be narrating a story.

Logic had no meaning then, for now whenever I narrate this story now, I wonder how the lady lived the rest of the days when borum were not in season.

Once upon a there was an old woman, we will call her Ajji. Now Ajji had a tree of 'borum' in her courtyard. She sold the borums in the market and with the money that she collected brought the essentials of life and lived very happily.

It so happened that in the jungle near her village there lived a fox, a very hungry fox called Kolhoba. He was looking around for food He walked around in the village but was unable to find anything. But he did not give up hope, hoping against hope he sniffed around. Suddenly he smelt something that made his stomach rumble noisily.

What was it? Where did the smell delicious come from?

You are right it was the Ajji's borum fruit that the Kolhoba had smelt. Now did the Kolhoba stop to think? No he did not he went on eating the fruit hungrily.

Gobble, gobble, gobble………

He went on till he finished all the fallen fruit and was quite full. And he flopped down quite happily.

And then his stomach rumbled not out of hunger but because he had to pass motions. And being the dirty fox that he was, he did it right there under the poor Ajji's tree. Then he came and cleaned his ass on the owl woman's door step. Then he ran away back in the forest.

The next day the old lady got up and as per her custom opened the door.

Pooh what a stink!

The poor lady washed her doorstep and the courtyard very clean muttering all the while. Now since she had no borums she had nothing to sell, so money to purchase food for her and she had to go to sleep without any food.

Ajji said, "It's all God's wish" and slept that night.

In the night the naughty Kolhoba came back again! He loved the fruit.

He ate and ate till he could eat no more. And he flopped down quite happily.

And then his stomach rumbled not out of hunger but because he had to pass motions. And being the dirty fox that he was, he did it right there under the poor Ajji's tree. Then he came and cleaned his ass on the owl woman's door step. Then he ran away back in the forest.

The next day the old lady got up and as per her custom opened the door.

Pooh what a stink!

The poor lady washed her doorstep and the courtyard very clean muttering all the while. Now since she had no borums she had nothing to sell, so money to purchase food for her and she had to go to sleep without any food.

The old lady said," It's all God's wish" and went to sleep that night.

Now since the Ajji was hungry for the second day she thought I must see what animal is coming here and eating my borums. Not only he finishes all of them but also dirties my courtyard. So she sat with her small oil lantern to watch what came in.

For a long time there was no one the Ajji was dozing when she heard a sound. She looked out from the crack in the door and saw the Kolhoba eating her borums.

The Ajji then understood that greedy Kolhoba was eating too many borums and dirtying her courtyard so she got up and took her iron tava (griddle) put it on the fire to heat it up. When it became nice and red she put it out quietly exactly where the Kolhoba cleaned his bum.

The Kolhoba again ate till he could eat no more.

And then his stomach rumbled not out of hunger but because he had to pass motions. And being the dirty fox he was he did it right there under the poor Ajji's tree. Then he came and cleaned his ass on the owl woman's door step.

But wait the Ajji had put out a hot griddle so what do you think happened?

The naughty Kolhoba burnt his bum. He started howling in pain and running in the direction of the forest.

The Ajji could not stop herself. She opened the door and said,

"Kolhoba Kolhoba bora pickali."

The Kolhoba replied," Nahi Nahi mathari mala noko ti."

And he never cam e back again to eat the borums

Mang Gala Upas-The story of fasting monkeys

This is the story that Amma told us. Actually this she said was a
lesson or a poem in her school curriculum I don't remember what but we
enjoyed it every time it was told, like my 2 do now. I have improvised
adding my own details and updating it to the expectations of my kids'
likes and dislikes. I hope you kids like it too!!

Once Mamma Monkey told her 3 kids, Eldest, Middle and the naughtiest,
Youngest monkey, "Today is Kartik Ekadashi, a very auspicious day so I
want the three of you to fast."
Youngest immediately asked, "Mamma what is fasting?
"You should not eat anything, baby." Mamma replied.
"Yes," They said," now we can play!"

Out went the monkeys. They jumped from tree to tree, branch to branch
and at 1pm, lunch time, found themselves near an orchard which had all
kinds of fruit. Apples, bananas, oranges, chickoo, strawberry, and
watermelon… you name it and the fruit was there.

They were also feeling very hungry!!!

Youngest, drooled at the sight of the fruits. He wanted to eat but
how? Mamma has said "no eating!" What a big problem! How do you ignore
a growling tummy?

So he just sat staring at the fruits wishing he could eat them. The
Middle joined him.
The Eldest had an eye on Youngest and knew that trouble was brewing,
even he could hear his tummy growling but he had to set an example to
his brothers so no eating. He also sat staring at the fruit wondering
how they were going to spend the rest of the day without food!!

Youngest suddenly suggested," lets sit on the fencing of the garden."

Immediately Eldest said,"Hey Mamma has said no eating."

Middle said,"Yes 'yes!! No eating".

"But', objected Youngest, "we are just sitting on the fencing for
afterwards. Who said that we eat?"

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! Where are we eating? We will just be sitting."

Eldest said,"Okay since both of you say so we will sit on the fence."

So the monkeys sat on the fencing!!

After some time slowly Youngest stretched his hand in the direction of
bunch of bananas. He wanted to eat but how? Mamma has said "no
eating!" What a big problem! How do you ignore a growling tummy?

Immediately Eldest said,"Hey Mamma has said no eating."

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! No eating".

"But', objected Youngest, "I am just touching them for afterwards. Who
said that we eat?"

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! Where are we eating? We will just be touching."

Eldest said, "Okay since both of you say so, we will just touch them."

So the monkeys sat touching all the fruits!!

After sometime slowly Youngest stretched his hand in the direction of
bunch of bananas. He wanted to eat but how? Mamma has said "no
eating!" What a big problem! How do you ignore a growling tummy? He
plucked one banana.

Immediately Eldest said,"Hey Mamma has said no eating."

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! No eating".

"But', objected Youngest, "I am just plucking them to eat afterwards.
Who said that we eat now?"

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! Where are we eating? We will just be plucking."

Eldest said, "Okay since both of you say so, we will just pluck them."

So the monkeys plucked the bananas to eat afterwards!!

After sometime slowly Youngest stretched his hand and peeled the
bananas. He wanted to eat but how? Mamma has said "no eating!" What a
big problem! How do you ignore a growling tummy?

Immediately Eldest said,"Hey Mamma has said no eating."

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! No eating".

"But', objected Youngest, "I am just peeling to eat afterwards. Who
said that we eat now?"

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! Where are we eating? We will just be peel."

Eldest said, "Okay since both of you say so, we will just peel them."

So the monkeys peeled the bananas to eat afterwards!!

After sometime slowly Youngest stretched his hand and placed the
banana in his mouth. He wanted to eat but how? Mamma has said "no
eating!" What a big problem! How do you ignore a growling tummy?

Immediately Eldest said,"Hey Mamma has said no eating."

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! No eating".

"But', objected Youngest, "I am just putting it in my mouth to eat
afterwards. Who said that we eat now?"

Middle said, "Yes 'yes!! Where are we eating? We will just be putting
it in the mouth."

Eldest said, "Okay since both of you say so, we will just put them in
the mouth."

Dhumma Dhummi

Dhumma/Dhummi means fatso in Kannada but it is also used as an endearment.There are a lot of Dhumma Dhummi stories but right now I remember only this one.

There lived in town near a jungle a plump couple. The man was called “Dhumma” & the woman “Dhummi”.

As there description suggests both loved to eat & Dhummi was a very good cook.

Dhumma once wanted to eat ‘Bhajias’ so he requested Dhummi to make some. Dhummi agreed provided Dhumma got the chana daal needed for the flour to make the ‘bhajias’.

Now Dhumma did not have any money to spend, so he tied two bags, under the armpits of a huge coat belonging to his grandfather.

He went to the first grocer’s shop in the market dipped his hands in the sack of channa daal. Taking big handfuls he made a big show of checking the grains against light but let the grains trickle down his arms, into the bags in his armpits all the while asking the shopkeeper,” What is the price of this daal?”

“Rs.36/- a kilo sir.”

“Very expensive,” said Dhumma shaking his head. He went to the next shop, to repeat the same exercise.

In this fashion Dhumma visited al the shops in the town till his bags became quiet full.Then he went home and emptied his bags, Dhummi had now plenty of channa daal for the flour.

She started quite happily making the ‘bhajias’ then she had another problem –No Oil.

So Dhumma went to the market again to fetch oil, but this time he wore a 9-yards sari on his head as a turban. In the shop he asked, “What is the price of oil?” & jerked his head in the open can of oil. The turban fell in the oil.

”Arre arre my turban,” said Dhumma and ran home with the dripping turban. At home he wringed the turban, now they had enough oil to fry the ‘bhajias’.

Dhummi now told him to fetch firewood. Miserly Dhumma went to the forest to chop wood. Chop, chop, chop went Dhumma.The sound echoed in the silent forest. The noise he made woke up the hungry man-eating Rakshas in the forest.

“Ha, Ha, Ha” said the Rakshas, “After a long time I am getting a tasty morsel to eat” and picked up Dhumma.

Dhumma was very scared, “Please let me go; I only came to chop wood because Dhummi is making ‘bhajias’ I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

The Rakshas had also heard about Dhummi’s cooking prowess, he was tempted at the thought of eating mouth watering ‘bhajias’.

“Alright,” he said,” I will let you go if you promise to keep some ‘bhajias’ for me.” Dhumma readily agreed and ran home with the firewood.

Dhummi made a lot of ‘bhajias’ from potatoes, onions, palak, methi, cauliflower etc. both kept on eating for they were very tasty.

The fragrance of the ‘bhajias’ attracted the Rakshas he started rushing towards Dhumma, Dhummi’s house. His footsteps echoed in the forest. Dhumma recognised the sound and remembered his promise to the Rakshas. He now told Dhummi about his meeting with the Rakshas and his promise to him about keeping ‘bhajias’.

There were hardly any left, so Dhummi suggested that they hide themselves. So they did.

The Rakshas now had reached Dhumma, Dhummi’s house he looked into the kitchen and found the few left in the dish. He finished all of them in one gulp now he wanted more. He looked around in the house but could not find any more ‘bhajias’. He felt cheated and started to search for Dhumma & Dhummi roaring all the while.

When he found them he was so angry that he seized them in his fist and was about to gobble them up.

Just as he was about to put them in his mouth some of Dhummi’s long hair tickled his nose.
A..A achoo went the Rakshas so loud and hard that Dhumma & Dhummi were just swept away with the gust of breeze quite far away from there house.

It was a long time after which Dhumma & Dhummi came back home.