The dying tradition of aravatiges

What is an aravatige? It would be difficult to get an answer in these days of packaged commercial drinking water. In Kannada, aravatige means an arrangement to supply drinking water free of cost.

Small plots of land were granted for the maintenance of an aravatige, a shed where drinking water or buttermilk and sometimes ragi gruel was given to thirsty people, especially travellers who asked for a refreshment. This kind of shanty is very old in this country and is often found in old poetical works in Kannada.

As goes the old adage of change being permanent, and probably certain too, describing what such a place is, in simple words, is a difficult task. Difficult task even for the resident of a village – where, it is said, culture changes are much slower than in an urban atmosphere. Ironically, Chikkaballapur district, can by no means, be called an urban district.

Like in the case of so many other aspects of the cultures of earlier generations, a place where travellers were provided basic, temporary facilities to help them continue their journey is no longer seen in any village of the district.

In most villages, aravatiges were the ‘welcome points’ provided at the entrances, for the travellers. Seats, for instance, were provided at the aravatiges, with blocks of granite stone laid long as well as high.

Roofs were also constructed on most of such seats to make things easier for people who would have travelled long distances under the Sun and wished to catch their breaths in the shade, take rest for some time and then continue their tours.

A resting place

The local residents are believed to have used the aravatiges as places to thrive in their parts as hosts. The welcome points were often used to store non-alcoholic drinks, water, and even light eatables like salads. The greatest boon of the aravatiges was seen in those days when journeys were long, and the transport system was not good enough. People who walked on foot blessed the residents of villages that had such facilities as they played an important part in helping them reach their destinations in good shape.

Thanks to the express travel facilities reaching out to villages, guests reduced in number thus declining the number of hosts too. As a means of hope of retaining the archaic customs and conventions, there are still some instances of villages running aravatiges.

“The aravatige system is being used since decades now, in our village,” says Munikrishnappa of a village in Chikkaballapur district.

“The aravatiges are definitely not in good shape. But they are still used by the women, children and even senior citizens to distribute rejuvenating drinks and eatables to people who come there. We must teach the younger generations about attending to the needs of travellers,” he advises.

Last few remain

“There are several references to aravatiges in our literature, including folk songs and tales. But, with the onset of the mechanised vehicles, the number of people travelling by foot naturally reduced. In villages like Thirnahalli near Muddenahalli of Chikkaballapur district, however, there is an aravatige that is used on an annual basis.

The aravatige is cleaned and even painted enthusiastically by the local residents. Refreshing drinks and salads are also distributed during the festival of the deity of the district – Bhoganandishwara,” says folklorist G Srinivasaiah.

(Translated by Chitra Phalguni)