LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL: A nomadic family known as gangireddulvallu moving from Chebrolu to Tsundur in Guntur District. — photo T. VIJAYA KUMAR.

TSUNDUR (GUNTUR): We remember `Gangireddulu' or patronage them only during Sankranti or to some extent up to Ugadi, but it's the livelihood at stake for some nomadic families, which teaches them several management lessons.

An infant precariously perched on the front handle, a gas stove by its side, tens of bags hanging from the handle, beds tucked away in the triangular area in the main frame, large cane baskets on the rear carrier, it was a spectacular scene. Even a professional artist in a circus could take a page or two out of it.

To crown it all were a couple of hen happily looking around and intermittently trying to break the shackles to fly out spreading and waving the large wins vigorously. A security guard (a trained chained dog) follows the caravan keeping an eye on the children, hen and womenfolk following the bicycles.

If Government thinks that an acre of land for a family will take care of its needs throughout the year, it's wrong. Even in a good agriculture year like 2006-07, Vallala Venkateswarlu and his brother Veeranjaneyulu jointly holding an acre, find it difficult to make both ends meet. Relatively fertile land in Avulavaripalem in Krosuru mandal of Guntur district, they had bumper crop of chilli and cotton, but the season is over and the bullocks turn a burden for them after Rabi then comes the Sankranti during which they convert these steers into `Gangireddulu' tastefully decorating them.

Probably a Management School graduate also would not have planned so meticulously, but these two families move villages in entire Tenali Revenue Division till `tolakari' beginning of monsoon to make most of their skills. Two bicycles carry entire family luggage, while they move from village to village lock, stock and barrel.

Moving at jet speed on the most-dependable Indian mode of transport from Chebrolu to Tsundur, Venkateswarlu told The Hindu : "our stay at Chebrolu from Ugadi to Ramanavami was fruitful, people were generous enough to feed cattle and support our families."

Living under trees or some old abandoned houses, the dogs keep a watch on our family during nights, while we seek alms displaying the Gangireddulu moving from house to house entertaining people with music, during day time, he observes.

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