“Summer holidays meant going to my grandmother’s village. That’s what we waited for.

Life there was all about farming. We used to grow jonnalu, pesalu, minapappu, senagapappu, cotton… everything depended on the rains. If rains were good, things were fine.

We used to wake up before sunrise. First, taking the cattle out for grazing, then going to the farm—whatever work was there, we used to do. After that, going to the stream, washing clothes, bringing water home.

By afternoon, at home, food would be ready on the wood fire. Jonna rotti, ragi mudde… simple food, but we never felt it was less.

After work, we were never at home.
We used to play gilli danda, cricket, goli (marbles)… wherever we found space, that was our ground. No rules, nothing. Just playing. Some days flying kites—on terraces or in the fields. If we cut someone’s thread, that was enough to celebrate.

For mangoes, we’d throw stones and try our luck. And when it rained, we’d take a basket and go around picking the fallen ripe mangoes. Those always tasted better.

Sometimes we’d pluck jackfruits too from our neighbours farm. If the heat became too much, we’d just jump into the village wells. That cold water… nothing now can match that.

Also the best memory is eating mango achar with hot hot rice and ghee. In summers, munjalu—we’d keep eating them again and again.

Village life looks so relaxing, but there was always work. From a young age, I used to help at home. That was normal for us.

A few years ago, everything changed. My father had a serious accident. After that, we couldn’t stay there. With loans and responsibilities, we moved to Hyderabad.

We are from a barber family. I’m working as a hair stylist here for the past five years. My father now works in a small shop. Along with that, I’m managing my education and my sister’s education.

Starting was tough. New place, fast life… everything felt different. But slowly we got used to it. Hyderabad didn’t make life easy, but it gave us a chance to live a better life.

The village gave me my roots.
Hyderabad gave me my wings.

That’s it.”

— Bhasker