Sourabha Rajyam- The Land Where Women Don't Matter

The CCA Competition

It was Saturday. The day the CCA competition would be held. The whole college was sorted into four houses – Molla, Annapurna, Rudrama Devi, Saraswati. Each house stood for a character trait that the students were supposed to inculcate. So these houses had been named after women who embodied those traits.

Molla was a poetess who had written the Molla Ramayanam. She had done such a brilliant job that “Molla Ramayanam”, her work is considered as authentic as the “Valmiki Ramayana”. Hence, Molla House tried to inculcate an appreciation for works of art and literature.

Annapurna or Goddess Annapurna was the Goddess of food. She was an embodiment of a mother who would feed all those who were hungry. So, Annapurna House tried to inculcate a sense of kindness in its students putting others needs before one’s own needs. This house encouraged selfless service to the society.

Rudrama Devi, was a ferocious Kakatiya Queen from Bharat, known for her brilliant administrative skills, shrewd brain, indomitable courage, astute political acumen. So, this house tried to inculcate these values in its students. The aim was to prepare true leaders who could lead from the front during a crisis.

Saraswathi or Goddess Saraswathi, was the Goddess of Knowledge. So this House tried its best to impart the best of knowledge to its students. The aim was to prepare students skilled in their chosen fields.

Every week a CCA competition would be held between the four houses. The House Captains would select the participants under the supervision of the Heads of Houses, finalise the list of participants, get it signed signed by their Head of Houses, and finally submit the list to the CCA Co-ordinator. Then they would practice and/or train as the case may be for the Competition. This brought out good leadership qualities from the students.

That week’s competition was English One Act play. Each House had been given 10 minutes each with another 2 minutes for stage set up. So, the stage props had to be simple enough to be set up within two minutes. The Houses would perform in the order – MARS – Molla : Annapurna : Rudrama Devi : Saraswathi.

Molla House chose the tribal revolt of 1676 for their play. The focus was on how the poets, writers inspired the masses to stand up for their rights and fight injustice. The actors performed so brilliantly that the audience felt goose bumps on their skin and almost everyone wanted to go and take up arms and fight. It was so inspiring !

Annapurna House surprisingly chose the same revolt. But the focus shifted to logistics – providing adequate food, clothing, shelter and supplies to those fighting against injustice. Again the audience felt as if they should become farmers, traders, craftsmen, tradesmen, homemakers and provide the background support to the soldiers fighting for them. It was simple an awesome performance by the girls.

Rudrama Devi House play was also based on the same revolt of 1676. It was incredible how four houses seemed to have chosen the same revolt yet were showing different aspects with breath taking performances. Ramya Kuchipudi, the House Captain was leading the revolt. This was stunning since she seemed to bring all her agony, anguish, the pain of her humiliation in her previous school into her performance. She looked like Goddess Kali leading her forces against the demons who had dared to defile her devotees. True to the nature of the House, they were portraying valour in battle. A chill ran down the spines of the audience as they saw Ramya, a normally meek, shy, timid girl who couldn’t harm a fly, give a hair rising performance. The audience sat shell shocked for a few minutes before anyone could even focus on the last play that was equally awe inspiring.

Saraswathi House were also using the same revolt for their play but their focus was on educating the people about what is right and what is wrong, what their duty as individuals was and what they had to contribute to the society. This house practically put forth in theory what other three houses had shown in practice. The audience were left pondering on the importance of true education – not literacy – education that developed the thought processes and made people think, analyse and react instead of running away from their responsibilities.

The four houses had shown that the same plot could be turned into an other worldly performance if one could visualize, plan and execute it perfectly. The result had to be postponed to Monday because of the brilliant performances of the students.

Kasyap sat thoughtful as he looked at Mounika. What if this girl had stood up for herself when she was being outraged by all those vultures in the bus, media and probably the office? What if the people had not just been the bystanders instead of helping her? What is going on in her mind? What is she thinking? Will she revolt? Will she inspire others to great deeds? What are you thinking Mounika? 

He was a bit surprised that she had not succumbed to the pressures of this world. she had come from Bharat - a country where women were protected; where the laws were in favour of women; where women could hope to find justice if they were wronged.

So, it must have been a gigantic shock for her to see women being treated as garbage. If the news was true, she must have undergone great trauma till she came here. The psychological effect of a***e lasts longer than the actual a***e. So he had expected her to lash out at the male teachers. But she had been surprisingly cordial with men.

Glossary:-

Ramayanam - one of the first poems in Sanskrit composed by the hunter turned Sage - Valmiki. it is considered as the only authentic version of Ramayana.

Molla - a poetess from the lower rungs of the society known for her Telugu version of Ramayana which is considered by experts as being equally authentic to Valmiki Ramayana.

Kakatiyas - one of the most powerful dynasties to rule southern India, especially the state of Andhra Pradesh with their capital in Orugallu or present day Warangal.

Rudrama Devi - one of the most powerful queens who ruled the Kakatiya Empire. She is known for building the seven level fort around Orugallu and also her administrative skills and fighting prowess.