WATER ➢ Even today a glass of water
CHALLAPALLI SWAROOPA RANI reminds so many battles and
struggles fought.
➢ “Water” is a poem by ➢ It reminds Karamchedu
Challapalli Swaroopa Rani. Suvarthamma’s rage against
➢ Here the poetess speaks about Kamma Lords and the violence
the exploitation of panchamas that followed.
in the society using water as a ➢ It reminds the Mahad struggle
tool. for dalit’s right to water of
➢ Even for the basic necessities of Chadar lake.
life , like water, they had to ➢ It brings before eyes the
struggle a lot. horrible sight of Mallapalle
➢ Herself a dalit, the poetess lists burning to ashes.
their agony. ➢ Water is a witness for centuries
➢ The water bodies like well or of injustice.
pond were meant for upper ➢ It is a source of dispute
castes. between village and wada and
➢ A panchama waited at the well even between states.
with empty pot whole day. ➢ The poetess also adds some
➢ When a shudra poured water, general truths related to water.
he sprinkled it on the wada girl ➢ She tells that water is an elixir
or touched her. of life and destroyer too.
➢ She felt humiliated. ➢ Being used as a tool of
➢ She was helpless. exploitation,being denied its
➢ She couldn’t resist,but keep right to quench thirst, it
quiet for the sake of water. devovers the whole land by
➢ Often the wada waited with flood or tsunami.
thirst the whole day for a glass ➢ In the modern days water is
of water. igniting another strife.
➢ They waited for weekly bath as ➢ Sitting silently in Bisleri bottle
if a wonderous festival. it is inviting a class conflict.
➢ But the village bathed ➢ The humble water is a multi-
luxuriously twice a day. national market commodity
➢ They walked for miles with now.
heavy pots on the head. ➢ Water was used as a tool of
➢ Tears were shed for exploitation in the past.
generations. ➢ Is water exploiting us today in
➢ Blood flowed in streams for the this way?
sake of water.
➢ Yet, they could not get it ***********
lawfully.
➢ For them water is not just H2O.
➢ It is a mighty movement.
