Gadwal Trip

GADWAL TOWN TRIP

On Aug 25th, 2004 for the first time we (i.e.) Sudha Atte,Dhodappa,Dhodamma, Appa & I visited 'GADWAL Town'. Most of the Gadwals who have come 2 Hyd wanted to visit the place 'Gadwal' but we could not.This time it was our fortune we could visit the place atlast.This time when v all went to Srisailam - v thought while coming back On the way we'll visit 'Gadwal' but as destiny had to, v got late leaving Srisailam & so v cancelled it & postponed itto when was a Q?.V reached Hyd & Dad got busy with his office & By-that-time Atte & Dhodappa finished the local-site seeing & shopping so..Atte, Dhodappa & even I were Forcing Dad to take us to 'Gadwal'. Sudha atte's sentimental dialogues could have donethe magic that Dad agreed to take us to 'Gadwal'. Mom & Pranav could not come as Pranav had his Unit tests going on. From our research V found out that Gadwal is a small town in MahabubNagar District of A.P. very popular for the saris. Think of saris & I remember how, many of my teachers/lectn would ask me if I could get them any discounts on the saris thinking I was fm that place b'coz of my surname.
The next day we all got ready @ 4:00A.M. But the driver came late @ 5:15 A.M. We were visitingthe place with some time constraint as the same day Sudha atte, Dhodappa & Dhodamma were leaving to Blr for the 10:00 P.M. Train. So, that meant v had to leave the place at the most by 2-2:30 P.M. as Hyd to Gadwal is 4-5 hrs Run (i.e.) around 180 kms fm Hyd. We were going to an unknown place, we knew nobody there & other than little facts that the place is famous for Saris, Fort & University Campus v knew nothing but it was enough exciting to all-that v were going to 'Gadwal'. V had no destination in that Town ala Musafir hoon yaaron song!!!

Dad & Dhodappa wanted to do some investigations about their Fore-father who once upon atime lived here & later migrated to Karnataka. V thought its tough to Know about a Singer with whom 100 other singers co-existed in the King's court & moreover v were wondering who'll tell a history of about 100 -150 yrs ago of not a king or a Minister & v just wished them luck.
Sleeping, Chatting & discussing we reached Gadwal @ 9:00 A.M. V all rubbed our eyes to see the board on which in big letters was written 'GADWAL'.The Town was being cleaned & decorated(ofcourse not for us :)) b'coz in the next 3 days the 'Krishna Pushkaras' were about to begin. Just as v reached the place the car started giving some trouble & we were in search of a car Mechanic & we had to go to that place (via) RajaMarga road & Atte was like look Starting-starting V r going in Raja Marga! On reaching the mechanic shop, the mechanic said it’s a minor problem & Till the car got repaired v were just wandering about in surrounding places & the car got repaired @ 11:00 A.M. It was already late so v quickly reached to an Udipi hotel to have our breakfast.After enquiring there, v got to know about the local site-seeing places & they were Jurala dam,Temple & a Fort. It was enough for our short visit. But before visiting these places Dad wanted to meet the Local MLA to know if he can help in their search or who can best help them. The Local MLA suggested that v meet one Mr.Paga Pulla Reddy, who is the oldest man living in Gadwal of age 86 yrs, he's a sr.Congress leader & had also been a freedom fighter, belongs to the family of Gadwal Samasthan & his ancestors worked as Diwan during the days of Maharaja RamBhupalBahadur. He was definitely the right person to ask & moreover just recently he had written a book on the Gadwal King's dynasty. On reaching his place Dad, D'appa & Atte started their session of asking Q?s Initially, Mr.Reddy had a doubt why v wanted to know all that now & who r v ...etc.After knowing our surname is Gadwal & v just wanted to know about our ancestor if v can... he was surprised & happy to know that v were putting effort in knowing abt our ancestors in a generation where children do not even want to know about their grandfather.So.. he co-operated in answering all the Q?s that was put to him to his best.This is when even I got to know my Fore-fathers names. Mr.Reddy just concluded saying he knew one Rangappa(our fore-father's name - the one who lived in Gadwal ) but he was from Raichur & that was just 80 yrs back..so he could not throw Light on the subject.He even Concluded saying there were 100s of singers in the King's court & maybe our ancestor was not in any Prominent Position in the Court.He still promised he shall try his best to find out & gave his book as a gift to us. V took his blessings & he was moved when D'appa & dad said "V C our Fore-Father in U". V told him Goodbye & moved. V were disappointed of not knowing anything fm the discussion but were happy that atleast V gave a try. V already were late as it was 12:30 P.M. & still v did not cover the place. The Next destination was the Fort. It was a very old fort & beside it was the college campus, inside it was the Chanakeshwar Mandir.The temple was closed as the time was over 12:00 & V made a quick photo session outside.
Next V moved to the Jurala Dam which was some 15kms from the place & as v were heading there they were many rocky hills..the weather too was very hot,dry. The whole Gadwal is a very small town,where everybody knows everybody- thats what seemed.The Place is dominated by farmers & Weavers. Gadwal is popularly known for its saris 'the Gadwal Saris', Atte wanted tobuy one but V were falling short of time to shop.We reached the Jurala Dam & the dam gates were open & water was gushing with force.The river that flows here is the Krishna river. It was a beautiful site to see. We stood there for sometime & pushed off from there back to hotel to have our lunch as it was already 1:15 P.M. On the way back The driver stopped at a Groundnut field, he was like farmers sell very fresh groundnuts here. Even Atte & D'Amma got down & pulled few groundnuts plants & they were likethis is our gift to others from Gadwal. Most of you must have ate it by now.V reached the Udipi hotel at 2:00 P.M. Atte quickly gave a call to Mysore to inform them that she is in Gadwal & the day when she'll reach Mysore. V had a quick lunch & said Goodbye to Gadwal @ 2:30 P.M. 0n the way back to Hyd there's this place called Bechupally where there is the Krishna river Bank & opposite to that is a beautiful Island & V could go there as we were getting late but wonderful site to view. In the car time was spent Pulling Sudha atte. D'appa used to pull her a lot. By now v have given her many names the most popular being Gurajji. Even she would enjoy all that, her telegu would make us all laugh & Dad with dhodappa would go on discussing actually so....many things & yapping for hours together, God! V reached Hyd @ 7:30 P.M. After relaxing for a while & having the dinner they left to catch the 10:00 P.M. train. The journey was quite tiring but I & all of us really enjoyed this trip rather V had so much fun.
Gadwal Trip will be one of the most cherished trip, for sure. There's nothing much to see in that place but V were all happy & satisfied for one thing V can say proudly, being a Gadwal we have been to the place 'GADWAL'. Thats All. Dhodappa wanted me to write the travellog & post it to the group. Hope U'll have liked it.