Sourabha Rajyam- The Land Where Women Don't Matter

Ramya’s Transformation

After three weeks of cajoling, persistence, promising and a lot more efforts, Pravallika and Anusha managed to find out where Ramya was. So, it was three weeks later, on a fine Saturday evening, the trio found themselves under the same mango tree where they had decided to quit college. Soukhya brought pudina vada to their delight. It was their favourite snack.

“Did you find out where Rammi is?”

“Jejisjinjejimajipuja!”

“Oi, mental, eat first!” Anusha laughed at Pravallika who was trying to speak with her mouth full.

“She is in Simhadripura!” Pravallika spoke having finally managed to swallow the vada in her mouth.

“Guess what! She is in the safest place on the planet! In AVM Girls College!” said Anusha enthusiastically, proud that she had important information to share.

“Wow! That’s wonderful news! At least she is happy there. Did you manage to speak to Rammi? What did she say? Does she remember us? Or has she forgotten all of us? Will she call us? Does she have holidays to come over here? Does…”

“Vammoo! Souki, take a breath girl and let us breathe! All in good time. Have some patience kiddo!” Pravallika teased Soukhya.

“It took us almost two weeks to get the information from Rammi’s mom.” Anusha said, “She was so afraid that she did not even let us into the house. We had to beg her father to convince her. Finally after 12 days she told us about Rammi. Last Monday, we were allowed to visit her and you won’t believe what we saw.”

“Souki, you won’t recognize our Rammi anymore. She has changed so much! We were speechless with shock.” Pravallika gushed in admiration.

“And Souki, she was sooooooooo frightening you know?” cried Anusha, “My God! I would never have believed that the shy, nervous, always afraid Rammi would be so awe inspiring!”

“What the hell are you two about?” Soukhya asked, snatching away the vadas from them, making them protest. “Serves you right, for speaking in riddles!” she added.

“Rakshasi!(she-devil)” both chorused before they settled down to tell their story.

“Rammi’s parents had been invited to the college to witness the Annual Day Celebrations. The college sent a car with an escort to bring us. Oh, we felt like Royalty you know? No one dared to even look into the car! The Police saluted as the car passed by. It was awesome!”

“It was a 6 hour journey and in those 6 hours not once was the Royal Convoy stopped.” Anusha took over the narration from Pravallika. “ When we got down from the car, we were treated like Royalty! And you know what was the shocking part? Everything was managed by Girls! Could you believe that?”

“Stop pulling my leg and tell the truth will you?” Soukhya said in irritation. “How can everything be managed by girls? That ended with The Laws. We girls are nothing but the dust under the men’s feet!” she added bitterly. “Don’t insult me and our friendship with lies; especially after what I faced to defend you!”

The happiness drained from the faces of Anusha and Pravallika. They became serious as they placed their hands in Soukhya’s hand, looking into her eyes. “Souki, do you think we would be so happy, if the college was like the ones we studied in?” they asked, the hurt in their voice reflecting in their eyes. “We are telling the truth. Unfortunately, with all that crazy madness going on in the world, it is very difficult to believe it, but, trust us Souki, what we say is true. You have to see it to believe it. If there is one college where girls and women are safe, secure and respected and treated with dignity, it is that college!” the passion and sincerity in their eyes could not be faked Soukhya realized. It was genuine.

“Sorry! But I still find it incredibly impossible to believe.” Soukhya said, her voice awed by their passionate response. “Please continue.”

“As I said, everything was being run by girls,” Anusha continued. “The male staff were just supervising and guiding the girls. We were taken to the viewers gallery and we sat in such nice chairs; not the hard iron chairs or the “Special” chairs girls are made to sit on. Real cushion chairs!”

“And we were given snacks and drinks and treated so well; like human beings. It was so nice. Every item in the programme was so superbly done you know. And the icing on the cake was Rammi’s performance. They presented a 15 minute play on the tribal revolt of 1676.” Pravallika had a dreamy look on her face as she narrated the event. “It was so beautifully presented. Everyone of the actors performed brilliantly. The highlight was Rammi playing the role of Chandri.” A fearful expression passed over Pravallika’s face. “She was like Apara Kalika in her costume and role. She did that role to perfection. It was as if she was venting all her frustration, anger and humiliation on the stage! No one moved for several minutes even after the programme was over Souki, they were – we were all so shocked! We all were inspired so much we wanted to take up arms and beat all those misogynists to a pulp.”

“It was crazy yet so inspiringly stellar performance! Rammi is a born actor, Souki. She just needs the right exposure. We want to help her even if means fighting the whole empire!” Anusha said determination ringing in her voice.

“I – I don’t know what to say,” Soukhya said, slightly awed at the news, “but if what you say is true, I am willing to take up arms again to defend Rammi; and you guys too.” She added. “I will train you in Karate and shooting.” She said enthusiastically, expecting the other two to groan but they simply nodded in agreement confusing her. Rammi must really have made a very strong impression if these two ordinary girls were ready to train. That itself was a miracle. She knew the women in the empire needed more such miracles if they hoped to gain some respect or equality. She hoped to see the college some day. She was curious to see the person who had brought so much change in that timid little mouse.

Glossary:-

Apara Kalika :- Goddess Kalika, the destroyer of evil. She is dark in complexion with blood red eyes and a blood red tongue, with a trishul (a weapon with a long staff that has three pointed edges like a fork). She is very fearsome to look at and is considered one of the incarnations of Goddes Adi Parashakti, the mother of all universe.