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చిల్లర దేవుళ్ళు [Chillara Devullu]
- GenresClassics
136 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2012
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154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 12, 2019
Rangacharya’s Chillara Devullu or The Lesser Deities thus presents a very convincing picture of the Telugu society during a particularly bad phase in its history. Inhuman institutions such as bonded labor, feudal land-lordism, corrupt police and courts of law, and forced religious conversions during the Nizam’s rule have been so deftly depicted in the novel is really horrifying.
Those who are Telugu can read Author Dasaradhi’s trilogy (Chillara Devullu , Modugu poolu and Janapadam). I hope all his books get translated in English.
Even my friend wrote this review, i agree with him. Following is the link.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Those who are Telugu can read Author Dasaradhi’s trilogy (Chillara Devullu , Modugu poolu and Janapadam). I hope all his books get translated in English.
Even my friend wrote this review, i agree with him. Following is the link.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 19, 2020
A story set in the pre-independent India talking through the societal structure and changes. The story weaves the influences of Nizam rule, freedom struggle, landlord system, religious conversions, slavery and the normal human emotions of love, hope, anger and vengeance. Highly recommended book for all young Telangana readers to understand our past.
December 30, 2017
May be this is the last book I have read this year, but so far it was the best of all I have read this year. It depicts the struggle of Telangana people. The kind of society we have inherited after the 600 years of Islamic regime. We have lost our culture, our language. Devadasi, vetti, jogini, feudal systems we have inherited due to the Islamic regime. It shows the Atrocities of Ittehadul-Muslimeen(Razakars) n the proselytisation conducted by them. Unfortunately the same language was being spoken today by AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). It also shows the struggle of few people to undo the situation which was worsening. In my view not only Telugu people but every one must read this to know the struggle of people faced under the Islamic regime (English translation was available).
July 31, 2024
ఆ నాటి తెలంగాణ జీవనశైలి గురించి, పటేల్ పట్వారీ భూస్వామ్య వ్యవస్థలో జరిగే అరాచకాల గురించి కళ్ళకి కట్టినట్టు వివరించారు. కథలోని పాత్రలు, సన్నివేశాలు బాగా చిత్రీకరించారు. కానీ కధాపరంగా అంత పట్టు లేదు అనిపించింది, ముగింపు మరీ చప్పగా ఉంది. లంబాడీల చేతిలో కరణం చావు పరోక్షంగా కకుండా ఒక పతాక సన్నివేశంలో ప్రత్యక్షంగా చూపించి ఉంటే బాగుండేది.
మంజరిని, పాణిని చివరలో బావా మరదల్ని చేసి కలపడం సరైనది అనిపించలేదు. మంజరి పాత్ర మరీ ఎబ్బెట్టుగా ఉంది. పాణిని చూసే ప్రేమించడం, అతనిగురించి ఊహలు, అనుమానాలతో సతమతమయ్యి ప్రాణాలమీదకి తెచ్చుకోడం, అతన్ని ప్రేమిస్తుందన్న అనుమానంతో వనజని హింసించడం! తండ్రికి తగ్గ కూతురు అనిపించుకుంది. దాసి అయినంతమాత్రాన వనజకి ప్రేమించే హక్కు లేదా? ఒక దాసి జీవితం ఎంత దుర్భరంగా ఉంటుంది? తన సమవయస్కులైన దాసీలపై గడీలో ఎలాంటి అరాచకాలు జరుగుతాయో తెలీదా యువరాణీగారికి. తను దొరసానికి కాకుండా దొర ఉంచుకున్న వారిలో ఒకరికి పుట్టి ఉంటే తన జీవితం ఎలా ఉండేది? ఎన్నో కష్టాలను ఎదురుకుని ఒక గౌరవమైన జీవితం కావాలనుకునే వనజని కాదని పొగరుమోతయిన మంజరిని పాణి ఎన్నుకోడం ఎంత వరకు సమంజసం? వనజ పాణిని అంతగా ఇష్టపడి ఉన్నట్టుండి 'అన్నయ్యా' అనడం కూడా వింతగా తొచింది.
ఇది తప్పించి మిగిలిన కథ మనోరంజకంగా ఉంది.
మంజరిని, పాణిని చివరలో బావా మరదల్ని చేసి కలపడం సరైనది అనిపించలేదు. మంజరి పాత్ర మరీ ఎబ్బెట్టుగా ఉంది. పాణిని చూసే ప్రేమించడం, అతనిగురించి ఊహలు, అనుమానాలతో సతమతమయ్యి ప్రాణాలమీదకి తెచ్చుకోడం, అతన్ని ప్రేమిస్తుందన్న అనుమానంతో వనజని హింసించడం! తండ్రికి తగ్గ కూతురు అనిపించుకుంది. దాసి అయినంతమాత్రాన వనజకి ప్రేమించే హక్కు లేదా? ఒక దాసి జీవితం ఎంత దుర్భరంగా ఉంటుంది? తన సమవయస్కులైన దాసీలపై గడీలో ఎలాంటి అరాచకాలు జరుగుతాయో తెలీదా యువరాణీగారికి. తను దొరసానికి కాకుండా దొర ఉంచుకున్న వారిలో ఒకరికి పుట్టి ఉంటే తన జీవితం ఎలా ఉండేది? ఎన్నో కష్టాలను ఎదురుకుని ఒక గౌరవమైన జీవితం కావాలనుకునే వనజని కాదని పొగరుమోతయిన మంజరిని పాణి ఎన్నుకోడం ఎంత వరకు సమంజసం? వనజ పాణిని అంతగా ఇష్టపడి ఉన్నట్టుండి 'అన్నయ్యా' అనడం కూడా వింతగా తొచింది.
ఇది తప్పించి మిగిలిన కథ మనోరంజకంగా ఉంది.
June 5, 2020
Loved this book. I loved how the dialogues were in Telangana dialect but the rest of the language was in literary telugu. The story amazingly portrays the pre-independence Telangana under Nizam's rule. Be it the influence of Nizam's rule on telugu, evolution of dialects, horrors of feudal system and the diabolical nature of Razakars. The characters are spectacularly portrayed; the words chosen for their dialogues show us a bit more of the character' nature too, which is amazing. The story is about the protagonist's experiences in an alien land experiencing the horrors and beauty of the land and his interactions with the plethora of characters involved. Interspersing the narrative are introductions to forced conversions, renaissance of telugu in Telangana, Indian struggle for independence, caste system, laughable Nizam legal system etc.
A great story. Only downside is the very generic twist at the end which actually harmed the story instead of enriching it. Must read for any reader of Telugu literature
A great story. Only downside is the very generic twist at the end which actually harmed the story instead of enriching it. Must read for any reader of Telugu literature
June 14, 2015
I would rate it 4 , but for the cinematic ending. Otherwise, a brilliant take on the conditions in rural Telangana during its time as part of the Hyderabad state a few years leading to 1948. The characterization is brilliant and the narrative arc is free flowing. The atrocities of feudal village heads on the hapless illiterate village folk, together with the efforts of the Nijam establishment to convert people to Islam by hook or crook were described realistically, without being melodramatic, well most of the times. The usage of Warangal slang was a first of its kind in Telugu writing and it lends authenticity to the narrative.
Its a short 125 page read and is well worth the time.
Its a short 125 page read and is well worth the time.
August 12, 2016
1930 లో తెలంగాణాలోని పరిస్తితుల గురించి వివరించే ఓ అద్భుతమైన నవల.
December 25, 2022
My six-word memoir: Shocking, heart-wrenching, twisty, inspiring, feudal system.
Chillara Devullu by Dasarathi Rangacharya( Translation: The Lesser Dieties by Chakravarthy Seshacharya) was a shocking read for me. The story is set between 1936-42 in the Telangana region. That was during the time of pre-independent India. The story revolves around the social, political and economic conditions before the Telangana Rebellion against bonded labor. Telangana was never under the British rule. It was a princely state governed by an Indian ruler (Nizam of Hyderabad) under the British government. The social life in Telangana was feudalistic where large amounts of lands were owned by landlords known as doras. A dora's wife, daughter, or a lady family member is called a dorasani. Doras are upper caste landlords. They have many lower caste people who work under them tilling their land. These people provide service and hardwork for the doras. This is a form of slavery called bonded labor (vetti chakiri in Telugu).
Now coming to the story. Pani is the protagonist who comes from the neighboring Andhra state to a dora in Telangana in search of a job. He is a music teacher. He witnesses the life in the dora's mansion and also how the poor people in the village live. There are two main doras in the village who exploit the poor people. Both of them are devils but one of them has a conscience which works sometimes. Pani teaches music to the young dorasanis and there are various romantic relationships evolving. He is a man of character and principles. He tries to advice the doras on some moral matters but then is reprimanded. The story shows how the doras lived, how the lower class people lived, how they were exploited, ill-treated, and also how the lives of women were during this time. The narration was in pure Telugu, but the dialogues between the characters were in the Telangana dialect ( which is a crude mixture of Telugu and Urdu). The story is fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. It also describes how the doras join hands with the Nizam authorities to suppress the peasants, lower-class people, and women. As the story progresses it reveals the fate of the doras, dorasanis, Pani and other people in the novel. I won't tell the whole story. But it was an awesome story, an awesome read. I am glad that I read it in Telugu because of the nativity of language and cultures depicted using the Telangana dialect.
Because of the extremely bad treatment of the peasants, increased food poverty during the Second World War, and also the increasing communist ideas the poor peasants revolted against the existing doras and the Nizam. Many doras were chased and hacked to death. At the end of the revolt the bonded labor was abolished and the land was distributed owing to the increasing acceptance of communist ideology.
Here are some of my favorites /impressions from the book:
1) It's a short, shocking book. The narration and the regional dialect used was just brilliant
2) The life of women was horrible back then. Thanks to feminists, we have come a long way
3) The ending of bonded labor and the dora culture was the end of an era
4) The religious conversion from Hinduism to Islam was hilarious. I laughed out loud during those few pages
5) There was ample discussion about the regional Telangana cultures, festivals, songs and rituals. I enjoyed reading the poetry and literature. I will Google and try to find those songs
6) My favorite characters are Pani and Vanaja ( a lady laborer). Vanaja's character and choice of decisions touched my heart
The title of the book means that these doras lived as the local Dieties in the village. They were the 'Lesser Dieties'. People treated them as kings and God. I guess the author took some freedom in dramatizing certain episodes of the book. The book might not be completely realistic owing to some amount of drama elements being used. Nevertheless, it is an awesome, quick read. If you get a copy do read this book. It was only 126 pages. This is a huge window into the past.
Chillara Devullu by Dasarathi Rangacharya( Translation: The Lesser Dieties by Chakravarthy Seshacharya) was a shocking read for me. The story is set between 1936-42 in the Telangana region. That was during the time of pre-independent India. The story revolves around the social, political and economic conditions before the Telangana Rebellion against bonded labor. Telangana was never under the British rule. It was a princely state governed by an Indian ruler (Nizam of Hyderabad) under the British government. The social life in Telangana was feudalistic where large amounts of lands were owned by landlords known as doras. A dora's wife, daughter, or a lady family member is called a dorasani. Doras are upper caste landlords. They have many lower caste people who work under them tilling their land. These people provide service and hardwork for the doras. This is a form of slavery called bonded labor (vetti chakiri in Telugu).
Now coming to the story. Pani is the protagonist who comes from the neighboring Andhra state to a dora in Telangana in search of a job. He is a music teacher. He witnesses the life in the dora's mansion and also how the poor people in the village live. There are two main doras in the village who exploit the poor people. Both of them are devils but one of them has a conscience which works sometimes. Pani teaches music to the young dorasanis and there are various romantic relationships evolving. He is a man of character and principles. He tries to advice the doras on some moral matters but then is reprimanded. The story shows how the doras lived, how the lower class people lived, how they were exploited, ill-treated, and also how the lives of women were during this time. The narration was in pure Telugu, but the dialogues between the characters were in the Telangana dialect ( which is a crude mixture of Telugu and Urdu). The story is fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. It also describes how the doras join hands with the Nizam authorities to suppress the peasants, lower-class people, and women. As the story progresses it reveals the fate of the doras, dorasanis, Pani and other people in the novel. I won't tell the whole story. But it was an awesome story, an awesome read. I am glad that I read it in Telugu because of the nativity of language and cultures depicted using the Telangana dialect.
Because of the extremely bad treatment of the peasants, increased food poverty during the Second World War, and also the increasing communist ideas the poor peasants revolted against the existing doras and the Nizam. Many doras were chased and hacked to death. At the end of the revolt the bonded labor was abolished and the land was distributed owing to the increasing acceptance of communist ideology.
Here are some of my favorites /impressions from the book:
1) It's a short, shocking book. The narration and the regional dialect used was just brilliant
2) The life of women was horrible back then. Thanks to feminists, we have come a long way
3) The ending of bonded labor and the dora culture was the end of an era
4) The religious conversion from Hinduism to Islam was hilarious. I laughed out loud during those few pages
5) There was ample discussion about the regional Telangana cultures, festivals, songs and rituals. I enjoyed reading the poetry and literature. I will Google and try to find those songs
6) My favorite characters are Pani and Vanaja ( a lady laborer). Vanaja's character and choice of decisions touched my heart
The title of the book means that these doras lived as the local Dieties in the village. They were the 'Lesser Dieties'. People treated them as kings and God. I guess the author took some freedom in dramatizing certain episodes of the book. The book might not be completely realistic owing to some amount of drama elements being used. Nevertheless, it is an awesome, quick read. If you get a copy do read this book. It was only 126 pages. This is a huge window into the past.
May 19, 2020
A portrayal of life in Telangana under the Nizam rule in one of the villages under the Reddy, Patel, Patvari system and the power struggle for influence in the village. The atrocities carried out by the ruling class on peasants and lower strata of society and the pervading fear within the people were depicted. The story has some romance/love story between the characters Vanaja-Sarangapani and sarangapani-Manjari. One of the episodes also describes life in Hyderabad under Nizam and the dire position of Telugu language and its people when Urdu and Muslims were at the helm of power. The language is in Telangana dialect and many urdu words are used as part of everyday conversations between peopl, as even today.
October 27, 2025
A worthy read if you want to understand Telangana’s history. If this books is a true reflection of that society, it only makes you realize how far we have come and also see why our contemporary society is such( caste, religion, politics etc) .
I read it in Telugu, and it’s a feast to the language lover in me. Furthermore more, if you are from Telangana you would enjoy it even more. Our Telugu has a decent mix of Urdu in it, and this book paints a clear picture of how it evolved.
I read it in Telugu, and it’s a feast to the language lover in me. Furthermore more, if you are from Telangana you would enjoy it even more. Our Telugu has a decent mix of Urdu in it, and this book paints a clear picture of how it evolved.
June 21, 2020
1930 ల నాటి తెలంగాణ వాస్తవ పరిస్థితుల్ని, దొరల దౌర్జన్యాలను కళ్ళకు కట్టినట్లు చూపించారు దాశరథి రంగాచార్యులు గారు. చదువుతున్నప్పుడు, అద్భుతమైన తెలంగాణ యాసతో సాగే పాత్రలు కళ్ళముందు సజీవంగా కదలాడతాయి. ఈ సంవత్సరం నేను చదివిన అద్భుతమైన నవల... తెలుగు భాషాభిమానులు తప్పకుండా చదవాల్సిన పుస్తకం.
రవి అడబాల,
తూర్పుగోదావరి జిల్లా.
రవి అడబాల,
తూర్పుగోదావరి జిల్లా.
July 31, 2021
నిజాం నాటి పాలనలో అధికారుల చేత, పోలీసుల చేత, మత మార్పిడి చేసే వల్ల చేత ఎన్ని ఆదానకులు ఎదురుకున్నారో మన తెలంగాణ ప్రజలు, పూస గుచ్చినట్టు వర్ణించారు దాశరథి గారు
The people's pains by the officers, police, violence by religious converters under the tyrannical rule of Nizam is described meticulously.
The people's pains by the officers, police, violence by religious converters under the tyrannical rule of Nizam is described meticulously.
December 11, 2023
What a gym of a book! I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this, and what i found was invaluable and a wealth of Telangana culture and language! Can’t wait to read all of Rangacharya’s books! Highly highly recommend!
December 24, 2023
Can understand the then time period of Telangana and suppression that was faced by multiple communities under the Nizam rule and zamindars. The world shown is felt as we are really in it.
Overall a good read.
Overall a good read.
December 16, 2025
స్వాతంత్రం రాక ముందు నిజాము/దొరల పాలన లో గ్రామీణ తెలంగాణ జీవితాన్ని కళ్ళకు కట్టినట్టు చూపించారు. ఆడబాప వ్యవస్థ అంటే ఏంటో తెలుసుకున్నాను. తెలంగాణలో కుల వ్యవస్థ, హిందూ-ముస్లిం మతగొడవలు, తెలుగు భాషకు జరిగిన అన్యాయం అన్ని బా చూపించారు.
August 23, 2020
ఆ మృత్యుదేవత పిడికిట "చిల్లర దేవుళ్ళు" తుది శ్వాస విడిచారు.
July 8, 2021
It's divine
March 21, 2024
Excellent usage of telangana maandalikham
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews