C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh

Madam Rides the Bus

Before we enter into the story

In this story, an eight-year old girl’s first bus journey into the world outside her village is also her induction into the mysteries of life and death. She sees the gap between our knowing that there is death, and our understanding of it.

C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh

About the AuthorVallikannan

Vallikannan is the pseudonym of R. S. Krishnasamy  (b. 12 November 1920 - d. 9 November 2006 ), a Tamil, writer, journalist, critic, and translator from Tamil Nadu, India.

C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh

Krishnasamy was born in Rajavallipuram near Tirunelveli. He started writing at a very young age and had published twenty five books by the time he was 30. He worked for magazines like Cinema Ulagam, Navasakthi, Grama Oozhiyan and Hanuman. He also wrote under the pseudonyms "Naiyandi Bharathi" and "Koranathan". He wrote a total of 75 books in his life - novels, novellas, poetry collections, plays and essay anthologies. In 1978, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for his critical work on modern Tamil poetry Pudukavithaiyin Thottramum Valarchiyum (lit. The birth and growth of Modern Tamil Poetry).[1] He died in 2006

C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh

MADAM RIDES THE BUS

C S Lodhi, JNV Damoh

There was a girl named Valliammai. She was eight years old and very curios about things.Her favourite pastime was standing at the front doorway of her house watching the happenings in the street outside.She had no playmates of her age in her street to play with.

Watching the street gave her tremendous joy and new experiences.The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. It was the source of unending joy for her.

She watched the bus and gradually riding the bus grew into an overwhelming desire in her mind.Over many days and months Valli gathered information and details about the bus journey.

The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes.She planned her trip well.One fine spring day she took the afternoon bus to the town.

The conductor was a jollyshort of fellow. He was fond of joking. It was the slack time when Valli got into the bus.He, jokingly, called her ‘madam’.

Valli found the bus attracting. It was a new bus painted with gleaming colours.Valli bought a ticket for her.

Valli also enjoyed outside view through the window.She saw the canal, palm trees, grassland, distant mountains,the blue sky, acres of green fields etc.Valli had light hearted conversation with some of the passengers. She was the centre of attraction for them.

Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. There was a young cow running right in front of the bus, right in the middle of the road. The animal was frightened and it ran faster as the driver honked the horn. Valli found it very funny. She just laughed and laughed.

Valli enjoyed every sight with excitement.She didn’t get off the bus at the town for the fear of being lost. She made her return journey by the same bus.

On her way back, the sight of same cow lying dead by the roadside made her sad. The memory of the dead cow haunted her and she did not did not look out through the window anymore.

At last the bus reached her village, thanked the conductor, got down the bus and went straight to her home.This was how she had her first bus ride without letting anybody know about it.

ThanksMadam’s maiden bus ride

concludes happily

Presented by – C S Lodhi, TGT- Eng., JNV Damoh (m.P.)