The rise of Karikula

Authors note-- I did not think I would ever write sequels to my stories cause I felt that it was just too easy to come up with a story once you have established characters.But with this it is a prequel..:D and I tried to be different for my own satisfation. This is a prequel to the story

The odyssey of Karikula



The sun was right above my head. I was on my way to the legendary kingdom of Hampi. I needed some rest. The rest houses that the king had built all along the main road at intervals had been impressive. But I had decided to stray on my path to go through the countryside more. I came upon a village which was perfect for me. But for the time of day there seemed to be no activity. I went up to the first house I came upon and said,” Amma—Bhavathi Bikshan Dehi”. The lady of the house soon came out with food and water for me,” Please call out if you need anything more”. I got my much needed nourishment. As I got ready to leave I called out and she came back to the door. I said,” Amma- May the lord’s blessings be with you for helping this Brahmin…” I continued, “ I had one question before I leave—why is the town so quiet at this time of day?” Her face saddened. She said,” This has never happened in this village before. There has been a murder and the town panchayat has been called. They have been at it for the last two days without coming to a verdict…” I thanked her once again and got back onto my feet.

As I came upon the town square the whole town seemed to have gathered there. They all sat in silence as a few wizened old men headed the meeting. They too were sitting in silence looking up at each other from time to time. I decided to speak,” Oh wizened old men of the panchayat. May I offer my services to thee in solving your predicament” They looked up and one of them who seemed to be the head spoke,” Stranger, We appreciate your offer. But this is not something that we wish to involve somebody from outside our community to solve. Please be on your way and do not make what is already a difficult situation for us” I said,” I have travelled far and wide my fellow denizens. I am confident of solving your problem. It is only the problem that intrigues and I can assure you once I am on my way no one will ever hear the disgrace that this situation might bring on this village. I beg your forgiveness if I am being a little impudent”

After a little discussion the panchayat heads rose and we walked to the mango grove owned by Soma. They had accepted my offered services. As we walked they told me the strange story of Soma. Soma and his son Karikula had arrived in this village about 10 years ago. Soma had acquired the skill of cultivating the juiciest mangoes and had convinced Raja the moneylender to lend them some money and everything else had been history. Soma since then had become famous in the whole region for his mangoes and had become affluent. He and his son were pious Brahmins and he had never forgotten to pay his dues to society. He had always been very charitable and a model citizen.
About two weeks ago in the night of the ammavasai there Raja had been to Soma’s house and the servants had heard a huge argument and Raja had been heard giving death threats to Soma as he left the house. And then the next day Soma had been found dead in the mango grove- A dagger down his stomach. As we got to the mango grove we reached the place where Soma had been found. I looked closely around and smiled to myself. I said,” I have got what we wanted. What I do not have is a motive. Sirs I would request a private audience with Raja. But before that I have a strange request. I apologize in advance and say I do not wish any disrespect. I would like to see Soma’s body ”


There were murmurs all round. And then they lead me to the other end of the mango grove to a what seemed to be a shack. An old lady was sitting outside. She cackled at me as I went past her. I put my angavastram over my nose and entered.


Raja was sitting in front of me. His body language suggested he was extremely frightened. I looked at him and said viciously,” How did you find out?” He stuttered” find out what?”. I said,” Stop playing games Raja. You were blackmailing Soma. You knew he was not a Brahmin” He looked stunned. He stuttered,” Hhh HH How could you possibly know. You are no stranger…. You … You must know then … I did not kill him… I did not…” He was howling now. I looked at him and said,” I know you did not kill him. I have you here to answer one question that would solve my puzzle. When you fought Soma that evening did you see Karikula in the house.” He looked at me strangely and said with a little more composure, “ No he wasn’t. In fact Soma shouted at the servants to go find him” I looked at him and took on a vicious tone,” That’s all I needed to know. Now if you ever let slip of this fact to disgrace Soma’s name I will personally make sure you are disgraced as well. And all the money you got from Soma through your blackmail you are going to donate to the great Tanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple. Is that understood” He just nodded his head and held it down in shame.


I walked out and asked the panchayat head if I could talk next to Karikula next in private. The murmurs started again. But my request was met with. I took Karikula into the room and sat him down and said,” Kutti Karikula – how are you feeling? I have something for you “ I took out a burphy piece. He did not smile. He did not even look at me. So I continued,” Karikula I do not have words to console you. I have not been with children ever and it has been a long time since I had been a child. So I am going to tell you some facts. With you I am going to be honest and you have got to trust me in that what is said in this room stays in this room. “ I tried to muster as much as a fatherly smile at him. All I got from him was a look. At least his head was up now. I said,” Karikula I know your father was not a Brahmin. You might be suspicious as to how I found out. But it is I assure you purely due to the powers of observation. I looked at your dead father’s body. And his poonal was on right to left rather than left to right. “ Karikula started crying. I continued,” Do not cry Karikula. I am not going to tell anybody of this. I also know something else. I know you were in the mango yard that night. You are the only one who can tell me what happened” Karikula looked up and said,” h…how did ou know..”..I said.” Karikula I am a person who takes pride at his observation skills. I knew of your presence through the process of deduction and observation of the crime scene. Now young son please tell me what actually happened” Karikula started crying again and then said,” Appa Appa died because of me….. I was up in the tree and had fallen asleep. Appa saw me and shouted in anger. I got up in a fright and fell. He jumped to catch me. But in his haste the knife in his belt went right through his stomach and and…” I took him into my arms and said,” Karikula do not blame your self. You need to know the truth. Although it was just an accident it had been caused by something that had happened earlier. You father had gotten into an argument and then in his haste and anger he had worn his knife in haste and that’s what caused the actual event. I could tell that from the entry wound that was on his flesh…” I just held Karikula.

I was facing the panchayat. I had told them only the story of the accident. I had also told them of my wish to take on Karikula as my student to mentor. They had accepted. I picked up karikula and put him on my shoulders and wondered about Soma and his brave step in trying to live a lie for a better life for his son. I wondered why did he have to lie… when he was in fact the best at his trade but for social strata. I looked up at Karikula on my shoulder and hoped for a happier future as we walked out of the village…..