Forgotten with time: city has no alms to spare for them

Once believed to be a harbinger of fortune, Haridasus are now struggling to make ends meet

A ‘Haridasu’ going around the streets singing hymns in the glory of Lord Vishnu in Visakhapatnam.

It is Sankranti and the month of Dhanurmasam is a busy time for 51-year-old V. Babji, a resident of the MVP Colony’s Sector-IV in Visakhapatnam.

Getting up before sunrise, Babji finishes his morning prayers, wears silk clothes and garlands and puts a copper bowl (Akshaya Patra) on his head. His transformation into ‘Haridasu’ now complete, he ventures out of his house to chant the Hari Nama Sankeerthana in praise of Lord Vishnu on the city roads, seeking alms in the form of rice.

Mr. Babji has been carrying forward his family’s tradition that stretches back to several decades. However, a lot has changed over the years, he says.

“Around eight to nine years ago, walking along the lanes used to be a memorable experience. Children used to follow me listening to my ‘Tambura’. With the advent of the apartment culture, people are no longer interested in Haridasu and very few people give alms.”

“Earlier, the Akshaya Patra used to get almost 25 to 30 kg rice. Now, it doesn’t receive more than 10 kg even if we walk from 6 am to 6pm,” he says.

Daily wage labourers

Mr. Babji and his wife work as daily wage labourers in the city through the year except during the Karthika Masam, the Dhanurmasam and Sivarathri — which is when they walk the roads as Haridasu. “My husband has been following the tradition for the last three decades. My son is yet to settle down and is working as a mechanic. He is not interested in carrying this tradition forward,” says Ratnam, Mr. Babji’s wife.

Another Haridasu from Madhavadhara area G Venkata Swamy says the life of a Haridasu is difficult as they suffer from severe body pain at the end of a taxing day on the road.

“In some areas, dogs chase us, while many people simply ignore us and do not even open their doors. It feels heart-breaking sometimes,” Mr. Swamy says.

Many Haridasus from the city go back to their native villages in adjoining districts during the Dhanurmasam. There are some who go for Haridasu Sankeertana for a week during Sankranti.

“Even if we go during Sankranti, there won’t be any response because most of the public is out of town on vacation. My son asks me why I am still continuing this. This is a responsibility that has been handed over to me by my father and grandfather, and I cannot abandon it. But we do not want our children to carry this forward,” says K. Ranga, a Harisasu from the city.