Sowmya V.B. translates a powerful story written originally in Telugu by Mallipuram Jagadeesh that narrates the tale of a tribal village and its fight against a mysterious illness.
Translator’s Note: The story describes how life in a tribal village changed with the arrival of mysterious illnesses and how the local politicians and officials want to take advantage of the situation. In the legends of the village’s tribals, Bakudumbari is a creature with a man’s head, without a torso, body, or legs. It preys upon lonely travelers in the forest. The author relates the legend to the real-life Bakudumbaris in the lives of his people.
“There was once a forest, so dense even a crow couldn’t enter. It was so thick even an ant couldn’t step inside. It was noon. The birds napped in their nests, and tigers that went hunting stepped into ponds to hydrate themselves.” Jogulu began the story and paused to light a cigarette.
On the other side of the campfire, Anandu and Somalu nodded their heads and eagerly waited for Jogulu to continue. Even the darkness that surrounded them appeared to be very interesting in the story.
“At that hour, Kondadu walked into the forest with an axe on his shoulder. Although it looked like a casual walk, he was, actually, quite anxious and afraid.”
“Why?” Somalu interrupted.