Story of Satyanapura Siri part 01

The palace in Satyanapura was ruled by a king named Bermalva. Old Bermalva was seriously concerned about the lack of an acceptable successor to his palace.

Shankar Alva, Berm Alva’s far relative used to visit his palace to handle the Kingdom's affairs. Old Bermalva was taken care by a servant named Daru. She cared about every work of Satyanapura palace.  

Daru

                                                                                       

One day, Bermer Daiva disguised himself as a Brahmin, proceeded to Berm Alva’s Satyanapura palace and instructed him to worship both Bermer and other descendant Daiva, such as Lekkasiri, Nandi-Kone, Nage etc., whose shrine had been annihilated and therefore had fallen in the forest without maintenance.

Bermer Gunda

 Bermalva followed the instruction given by brahmin and built a strain to Bermer and other descendent Daiva’s. For which Acre's flower and sandal-powdered ball was given as a Prasada to Berm Alva. Magically, the baby girl was born from the same acre-flower. She was named after it as Akkerasu Siri. 

Daru nurtured Siri more than mother's duties and responsibilities. Within few years Siri had grown up into gorgeous girl. Sankari poonjed's son, Kanthu Poonja, who was in power of Basur-Beedu. wanted to marry Siri. Even after having affair with a prostitute lady named Siddu. He vows to Bermalva that he will look after both Satyanapura and Basarur; also promised that he would perform the funeral of Bermalva; Since Bermalva did not have boy child.

kanthu-poonja 

                                                                                                        

Relationship between kanthu Poonja and Siri did not go well. Because of his unusual relation with other women and also his dominating personality. Siri never question kanthu Poonja about his behavior. Siri soon became pregnant. As usual custom of Tuluva, baby shower has to be done on the 7th month of pregnancy. Every arrangement for the baby shower began.

Kanthu Poonja bought the new saree to Siri from nearby town. Instead of going to the Basarur-beedu, He comes near his paramour Siddu, whom he had been in contact even after his marriage with Siri. Siddu sees the beautiful saree and eager to try the saree on her. But the Kanthu-poonja did not permit Siddu to use it. Totally ignoring kanthu poonja's words, Siddu wore saree which had been brought to Siri for her special day. Kanthu Poonja orders her to quickly remove the saree and fold it back again.

AKKERASU SIRI

During the baby shower. Siri refuses to consider Kantha Poonja's given saree. Claiming that the prostitute has already worn it. Kanthu Poonja was very angry with Siri because she embarrassed him in front of everyone present there. On behalf of Siri, Berm-Alva pleaded for forgiveness and continued with other rituals of baby shower. She was subsequently brought back for delivery to Satyanapura in accordance with the Tulu custom. Since Siri was born motherless; Prior to leaving, Siri tells her mother-in-law to come and carry out the responsibilities of mother. Which was ignored by Sankari poonjedi in upcoming days.

The baby boy was delivered by Siri. The notification of birth was conveyed to Basrur from Bermalva. Yet, kanthu Poonja, or Sankari poonjedi never thought about coming to Satyanapura to see the child.

                                                                                  

In order to know about his great grandson, Bermalva visited astrologer. The words of astrologers held Bermalva in a state of shock. Astrologer told Bermalva that, name of the child must be kept as Kumara. But astrologer restricted Bermalva from holding kumara. If in case he carries a child, it could lead to his dead.

As Kumara started crying one day. Bermalva sees no one around the infant and obviously he goes and carries baby in order to calm infant down. It proceeds to the death of Bermalva. The most miserable message had been shared across Satyanapura. This saddest message had also been conveyed to basrur, as kanthu pooja vowed to perform Bermalva funeral.

The final message sent over to Basrur was worthless. Kanthu poonja deliberately ignored the message and violated his pledge. Being women Siri took all courage and gave her shoulder to carry the dead body and perform other rituals .

Male dominant society began to exhibit its power against Siri. Who seemed to have no real support from her husband or anyone else. Shanker Alva (berm Alva’s grandnephew) successful started to make plan against Siri. Shanker Alva asked for a portion in Satyanapura's assets. While, Shankara alva's words were opposed by Siri. she told that kanthu poonja should be given lawfully all right of the kingdom. Until her son kumara becomes elderly; since it was the last desire of Bermalva.

Village council was organized by the panel of judges. Meanwhile, Shankar Alva bribed the Judges. Siri come to justify herself. The jury, which spoke in the favor of Shankar alva, declared Shankar Alva has a next owner of Satyanapura kingdom. Siri  tried to object thier decision and was unsuccessful with it.

Siri goes back to Satyanapura palace and decided leave Satyanapura along with her son kumara. Removing all the jewels worn by her and her son kumara., Siri decided to carry only 10 pairs of cloth along with her.  Daru go along with Siri telling that, she has no reason to stay back in Satyanapura without them.

Siri and Daru 

Siri cursed Satyanapura and left Satyanapura palace. 

Siri warned Daru not to look back; if in case she looks back, she was prohibited to tell what you saw. "

Daru accepted siri's words. Carrying kumara Daru goes behind Siri.

When they reach the border of Satyanapura. Daru looks back to see the last glance of the palace where she was gown and worked for so many years. Daru saw Satyanapura palace burning. Daru calls Siri to inform this. But Siri made Daru to recall the words given by her before leaving Satyanapura. Siri added to her words telling Daru that “lets pray to Bermer Daiva that the Throne cot of berm-Alva , Credal of kumara and strains of Daivas remains unburnt”.

They reached Bermer strain which was renovated by Bermalva to seek blessing. But priest refused to open the door for Siri. Siri prayed for Bermer and made doors of strain open automatically. After seeking blessing from Bermer and other decedent Daiva, they continued their journey towards basrur.

 Kanthu Poonja ‘s mother Sankari poonjedi see’s Siri coming towards Basrur beedu. She tells kanthu Poonja to hide because Siri was looking very angry on them.

 Sankari poonjedi welcomed them and asked Siri to forgive them for past incident. But Siri refused to come inside the palace until she meets her husband kanthu Poonja.

Siri comes to know that Kanthu Poonja is hiding inside siddu’s house. She goes near the palace entrance and demanded him to come outside. By considering all the sins of kanthu Poonja, Siri called out her husband name and decided to give him a divorce.  

Kanthu Poonja comes out angry and asked for custody from her side. Siri showed her son kumara and replied that ,he will stand has my custody. Kanthu Poonja gets more angry because siri made his own son kumara against him.

Akkerasu siri

Later, Kanthu Poonja agreed to give her a divorce in one condition. By evening if she crosses the border of basrur beedu ,she can be separated from him or if not, then she has to be serving kanthu pooja till her last. The brave Siri never wanted to be a slave to her husband. She accepted the words of kanthu Poonja and left basrur cursing him and siddu for all their sins.

On the way, she had to cross the river. But the skipper refused to give a ride to Siri telling this boat is only allotted for kings. Siri magically made a road in between the river and crossed it. Skipper came running near Siri and asked for forgiveness for his mistake. She cursed him that; river will have water only for 6 months and stays no water for rest of the months.

Siri and Daru had to face problem without food and shuttle. They had to stay in bola forest. Eating fruit which were available in forest for their living.  

Time passed; Daru felt uncontrollable hunger. It had been a long time since they saw the face of the rice. Daru had no strength to go in search of rice. Siri assures Daru that she will get rice for her, leaving kumara beside Daru. Siri goes nearby village in search of rice. Siri begged the handful of cooked rice and brought to feed Daru. Tears began to flow from the Daru’s eye. Reminding Siri, Daru tells," From my hand I've served food for a lot of people, I've also done leading rice for those who came in hunger. I have never made you or Bermalva to work…. But today, I made my queen to beg for me”. Daru started crying loudly. Siri feeds rice to Daru with her own arms. Daru gazed at the rice and siri for a moment, and She closes her eyes forever. Daru had dedicated her whole life to serve Bermalva and Siri. She attends Divinity from the blessing of Siri and worshiped has Jala korathi / jala baikadhi throughout tulunadu.

Later What happened to Siri? What later happened  siri's life ?....to be continued…

©️vishal kadri

part 02 click here 👉 Story of sathyanapura siri 02