Most historical celebrities' pictures are artistic depictions in the form of paintings or statues. There are exceptions when great rulers have their pictures painted by well known artists and if those paintings survived test of time then we had a chance to see them. Then came photography, invented during the beginning of 19th century, was brought to India by the British and some of our kings, queens, princes and princesses were photographed. Photographs remained private property, common folks rarely got to see ancient photographs. With Internet opening up boundaries people could see the unseen. Curiosity fueled research which lead to discovery of hidden and forgotten photographs.
Few months back a friend from Dharwad called to tell about an article in Vijayavani newspaper October 10, 2014 edition.
ಈ ಸಂಪದದ ಬರಹಗಾರರು ಯ.ರು. ಪಾಟೀಲ. ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮನ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಕುರಿತು ಕಿತ್ತೂರಿನ ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಇಲಾಖೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯದ ಅಸಿಸ್ಟೆಂಟ್ ಕ್ಯೂರೇಟರ್ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರರಿಂದ ತಿಳಿದುಬಂತು. ಧಾರವಾಡ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಕಲ್ಲೂರಿನ ಕುವೆಂಪು ಶತಮಾನೋತ್ಸವ ಮಾದರಿ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಚಿತ್ರ ದೊರೆತದ್ದು. ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಪಂಚಾಯತಿಯ ನಿಕಟಪೂರ್ವ ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರಪ್ಪ ದಂಡೀನರವರ ತಂದೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ ಚಿತ್ರ.
The article authored by Shri. Y R Patil carried a photograph which was supposed to be of Rani Chennamma. The author got a hint of the photo at Kittur historical museum and traced it to Kuvempu Centenary Model School (Kuvempu Shatamanotsava Madari Shaale), Kallur village in Dharwad district. Kallur is about 23 kms from Kittur and 20 kms from Dharwad. The photo was originally at Kallur Gram Panchayath office and it was given to Shri. Parameshwarappa Dandin by his father saying that it is Chennamma. The photo was taken to the school so that students could see it.
This lady here could be of anyone.. however it is believed to be Rani Chennamma's because of few reasons;
age of the photo
place where it was found; Kallur village was part of Belavadi Samsthan (Belavadi Malamma was another brave queen who took control of the kingdom) later it became part of Kittur Samsthan.
The lady is attire is ancient fashion; the saree seems to be expensive silk with gold border. Jewelry includes gold/pearl necklaces, ear ring, and pearl nose-ring. Back then only a person from rich landlords could afford such expensive saree and jewelry.
The author does not confirm the lady's identity but he says it is most likely Rani Chennamma. Author has asked for people's opinion on this matter.
In my opinion the chances of this lady being Chennamma is high because of another reason. Chennamma was friendly with European people, she often has them as guests at the palace. It is said that she spoke English. It is possible that a European photographer might have visited Kittur palace and the queen was photographed. That photo graph somehow made its way to Kallur village...
Over the past few years I have been visiting places connected with Rayanna, the valiant warrior who fought the British forces to defend Kittur kingdom. Here are the places-
One other place I wanted to visit for a long time was Dori-Benachi the place where Rayanna was captured. I knew Dori's approximate location, Google Maps/Wikimpaia helped in getting the exact location of Dori.
January 5, 2013
Malatesh and I started the day by locating the European cemetery. Our objective was to locate the tomb of John Thackrey, a British collector and political agent for the Southern Mahratta Doab region, who was killed in the rebellion at Kittur on 23rd October 1824. Most tombs in the cemetery are destroyed beyond recognition or repair. Thanks to the butchers of Dharwad who have encroached upon the cemetery land. Then we visited the Thackeray's memorial at Kittur Chennamma Park. Then a quick stop for breakfast and headed towards Kelgeri where Pushpa joined us.
About 25 kms from Dharwad, off Alnavar road is Dori village. Dharwad-Alnavar road repair is almost complete, it was unusable for almost a decade. We cruised most of the way except for some undone patches. At Arvatgi we turn left towards Dori. At the village entrance we talked to locals and got directions; the spot is under a big Aalad-Mara, less than a kilometer from the village. Close to the spot, we met Lakshappa, a farmer who was monitoring the sprinklers in his Bengal-gram field. He agreed to take us to the spot :)
Along Lakshappa's field borders are two streams. To the west is Dori Halla (Halla is the Kannada word for stream) and to the north is another stream. Sadly both are dry except for stagnant pools in the beds. The nameless stream joins Dori Halli about 70m from where we are.
Dori Halla is on my left and the confluence of streams is straight ahead, out of sight. Lakshappa and Pushpa lead the way to the Aalad-Mara.
Google Map view of Dori and its surroundings- a combination of plains and hilly terrain.
Closer look at the area enclosed in the white rectangle. Dori Halla flows North-South along the base of a hillock.
I was surprised to see this check-dam.. which means the water flow is slow because of S-bend. Hence this would be an ideal spot for swimming and bathing.
I was trying to imagine this spot sans the check-dam and with flowing water. With good rains this stream would be 6' deep and 30' wide. An ideal place for swimming. Lakshappa mentioned few facts of Rayanna; he was 7' tall; he could cover 20' in one leap; never let go of this sword; even while swimming he would clutch his sword in his teeth.
Rayanna was an expert in guerrilla warfare, he and his band of soldiers looted British offices and rich landlords. The booty was used to to fund their struggle for freedom from British highhandedness. After the incident of destruction of offices at Bidi by arson, British decide to put an end to Rayanna. British officers hatched a plot with two landlords, Bodnapur Ningangouda and Neginhal Venkangouda to capture Rayanna. A man named Lakkappa in Rayanna's band happened to be an associate of Ningangouda and Venkangouda. On the fateful day Rayanna handed over his sword to Lakkappa before getting into Dori Halla for bathing. Grabbing the opportunity Lakkappa signals his fellow conspirators and suddenly nine men converge on Rayanna and immobilize him. Later Rayanna was handed over to the British who take him to Nandgadh. Rayanna was executed by hanging from a Banyan tree about 3 kms from Nandgadh. Rayanna's mortal remains were buried near Nandgadh. Few days later a close associate of Rayanna plants an Aalada-Gida on the grave. Today, that plant is a large tree and stands there in memory of the brave warrior who sacrificed his life for his country.
Dori village folks light lamps and offer flowers to this rock as a mark of respect for Rayanna.
Lakshappa mentioned this sculpted stone could be a Shiva Linga base or a grinding stone. No idea why its placed here.
Earlier at the village we had asked people if they had seen 'Sangolli Rayanna' movie. Folks said they had not seen but they had heard that the movie was not correct historically. They felt the movie was an insult to the great warrior :-( I've not seen the movie.. somehow the movie posters itself were a put off.
Here the video of Dori Halla-
We were curious to know what lay beyond the stream. Lakshappa mentioned a hamlet of cattle herds. Hmm sounds interesting. We asked our host to join in but he declined, said he'll be in his fields. A minutes trek we were at the hamlet Pushpa found a peacock feather lying on the ground.
These are Marathi speaking tribal people, making a living by breeding buffaloes. These people are basically shy and the kids took a while to get used to our presence. The little one in yellow-blue frock was really scared, paap little creature!
With trust gained, they let us into their dwellings. There are five or six families here.
We asked if they had peacocks.. Yes! We got two bunches to take home. They offered us tea and we accepted. Preparation took a while.. smoke coming out of the hut.
They have been living here for four years now.
Calves remain at home. They are fed hay or sugarcane leaves every now and then. Once they finish eating they get back into shade.. smart little fellows.
I noticed that all female members of the hamlet had red bindi between their eyebrows.
Their kids don't go to school.
Pushpa had made herself comfortable inside a hut. She's holding a peacock feather bunch that has multiple uses; fan, duster, etc. Tea was thick because buffalo milk is thick. It tasted great!
It was time we left. We said bye to all, they did wave back. Back at Rayanna's place we explored the stream few minutes..
..and we were back with Lakshappa at his kadli hola. We thanked for showing us around and said we'll meet again.
Malatesh and Pushpa were not aware of my plan to visit Haliyal fort. The drive to Benachi was really interesting.. tight twisty tree lined road, not a pothole. We saw kids heading back home after half-day school. We drove through Benachi, crossed Dori Halla again, reached Alnavar outskirts and 8 kms to Haliyal fort.
Nandagad was on our agenda for the day we visited Ramteerth. We got directions to Sangolli Rayanna's memorial. Sangolli Rayanna was Kittur Rani Chennamma's trusted lieutenant. We heard about the Banyan tree from which Sangolli Rayanna was hanged to death by the British. Our first stop was at the memorial.
Rayanna's mortal remains lie buried under this ficus.
A black board proclaiming "freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna's Samadhi"
Inscription on Ashoka Stambha
ನಾಡಿನ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗಾಗಿ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರೊಡನೆ ಹೋರಾಡಿ ಬಲಿದಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಡುಗಲಿ ಸಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಜಾಗೃತಿ ಸ್ಮರಣೆಗೆ which translates to "Memorial to the brave warrior Sangolli Rayanna who sacrificed his life fighting for freedom of the land."
Transcription of the board:
ಕ್ರಾಂತಿವೀರ ಸಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ಇತಿಹಾಸ
ಶ್ರೀ ಸಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ವೀರ. ಈತನ ದೇಹದ ಕಣಕಣದಲ್ಲೂ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಶೌರ್ಯ, ಸಾಹಸಗಲಿದ್ದವು. ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮುಳುಗುವ ದೇಶದ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರಿಗೆ ಈತ ಸಿಂಹಸ್ವಾಪ್ವಗಿದ್ದ. ಕಿತ್ತೂರು ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮಜಿಗೆ ನೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಬಂಟನಾಗಿದ್ದ. ೧೮೨೪ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿತ್ತುರಿಗೆ ಸೋಲಾಯಿತು. ಅನಂತರ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಕಿತ್ತುರಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ತಂದು ಕೊಡಲು ಪಣ ತೊಟ್ಟ. ಈತ ೧೭೬೬ ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ ೧೫ ರಂದು ಸಂಗೊಲ್ಲಿಯೇಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ. ಈತನ ತಾಯಿ ಕೆಂಚವ್ವ, ತಂದೆ ಬರಮಣ್ಣ ಓಲೆಕಾರಿಕೆ ಇವರ ವೃತ್ತಿ. ಸಣ್ಣವನಿರುವಾಗಲೇ ಯುದ್ದದ ತರಬೇತಿ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದ. ೧-೧-೧೮೨೯ ರಿಂದ ೭-೪-೧೮೩೦ ರ ಅವದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿತ್ತೂರ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸಿದ. ತನ್ನ ಸೈನ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟಿದ. ಥ್ಯಾಕರೆ ನಿದನದನಂತರ ಚಾಪ್ಲಯಾಣನ ಆಡಳಿತ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರು ಕಿತ್ತೂರಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ದಂಡೆತ್ತಿ ಬಂದರು ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಕಿತ್ತೂರಿನ ಹುಲಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೋರಾಡಿದ. ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರ ಸೆರೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕರೂ. ನಂತರ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನನ್ನು ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರ ಯತ್ನ ನಡೆದೇ ಇತ್ತು. ರಾಯನ್ನನದು ಗೆರಿಲ್ಲಾ ಯುದ್ದ ತಂತ್ರ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಕುಲಕರ್ಣಿ ಬಾಳಪ್ಪ ಕಂದಾಯ ವಸೂಲಿ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ತಾಯಿಗೆ ಅಪಮಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ ಇದನ್ನು ಸಹಿಸದ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಬಾಲಪ್ಪನನ್ನು ತುಂಡರಿಸಿದ. ಈ ಕೃತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರು ನಡುಗಿದರು. ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ರೊಚ್ಚಿಗೆದ್ದ. ಸಂಪಗಾವ್, ಬೀಡಿ ಕಚರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಇಟ್ಟ ಖಜಾನೆಯನ್ನು ಬರಿದು ಮಾಡಿದ. ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷರಿಗೆ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ನುನ್ಗಲ್ಲರದ ತುತ್ತಾದ. ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರನ್ನು ಬಗ್ಗು ಬಡಿಯಲು ಸಂಯವನ್ನು ಐದು ಸಾವಿರದವರೆಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿದ. ರಾಯನನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿಯುವ ಹಂಚು ಹಾಕಿದರು. ಕ್ಹೊದನಾಪುರದ ನಿಂಗನಗೌಡ, ನೆಗಿನಹಾಲದ ವೆಂಕನಗೌಡ ಇವರು ರಾಯಣ್ಣನನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ಕೊಡುವುದಾಗಿ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರಿಗೆ ಗುಪ್ತವಾಗಿ ಮಾತು ಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಗುಂಪಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಲಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ನಿಂಗನಗೌಡ ಹಾಗು ವೆಂಕನಗೌಡರಿಗೆ ಬೇಕಾಗಿದ್ದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದ. ಲಕ್ಕಪ್ಪನ ಸಹಾಯದಿಂದ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿಯುವ ಸಂಚು ಹೂಡಿದರು. ಡೂರಿ ಬೆಣಚಿ ಗುಡ್ಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ನೀರಿನ ಝರಿ ಹರಿದಿದಿತ್ತು. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಖಡ್ಗವನ್ನು ಲಕ್ಕಪ್ಪನ ಕೈಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ. ಎದೆ ಸಂಧರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಲಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಸಂಜ್ನ್ಯೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟ. ಒಂಬತ್ತು ಜನ ಒಮ್ಮೆಲೇ ಬಂದು ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದರು. ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿ ಬಿದ್ದ. "ಮೋಸದಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದ ನೀವು ಗಂಡಸರೇ" ಎಂದು ಚೀರಿದ. ಅಂದು ದಿನಾಂಕ ೧೮-೪-೧೮೩೦ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ನಂತರ ವಿಚಾರಣೆ ನಟಕ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ದಿನಾಂಕ ೨೯-೧-೧೮೩೧ ರಂದು ನಂದಘದದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಲ್ಲಿಗೇರಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಈ ಸ್ತಿತಿ ನೋಡಿ ಜನ ಕಣ್ಣಿರಿನ ಕೋಡಿ ಹರಿಸಿದರು. ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಪ್ರೇಮಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಜ್ಯೋತಿ ನಂದಘದದಲ್ಲಿ ನಂದಿ ಹೂಯೋತು. ಬಿಚ್ಚಿಗಟ್ಟಿ ಚೆನ್ನಬಸಪ್ಪ ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಜೀವ ಗೆಳಯ, ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಋಣ ತೀರಿಸಲು ಮಾರು ವೇಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಸಮಾಧಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಳದ ಸಸಿಯೊಂದನ್ನು ನೆಟ್ಟಿದ. ಆ ಸಸಿ ಇಂದು ಹೆಮ್ಮರವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆದು ನಿಂತಿದೆ. ಆ ಗಿಡದ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಹೂವು, ಎಲೆ, ದೆತುಗಳು ರಾಯಣ್ಣನ ಸಾಹಸಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಕಸಾಕ್ಷಿಯಾಗಿವೆ. ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ದೇವತಾ ಪುರುಷನಾದ, ಹೀಗೆ ಸಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ ಒಂದು ದಂತ ಕತೆಯಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ ಊಲಿದಿದೆ.
These are a series of paintings on display at Kittur museum during the year 2009. There were many more interesting paintings which I missed shooting. These lovely paintings are created by several young artists during Kittur Utsav few months back.
Kittur Vaadae main entrance, facing east
Chennamma as an infant. Born on October 23, 1778 at Kakati.
As an young girl at school
Chennamma in as an youth
A scene from an hunting expedition.
During the hunting expedition; Chenamma claims her arrow killed the tiger while Mallasarja Desai asserts his arrow killed it. Admiring Chenamma's courage he offers to marry her.
Chennamma mourning a relative's death.
Chennamma with her bodyguards, preparing for a battle.
Chennamma engaged in a fight against British forces.
Chennamma leading her army into the battle-field.
Chennamma charges on as Amatur Balappa slays John Thackeray, the British Collector.
Sangolli Rayanna disguised as an ascetic meets Chenamma at Bailhongal jail. Rayanna assures Chennamma that he is continuing the struggle against the British.
Chenamma a prisoner lodged at Bailhongal jail; speaking to her trusted allies.
Sangolli Rayanna being captured by deception at Dori Halla.
The news of Rayanna's death broke Rani Chenamma's will to live, she dies on 21 February 1829 at Bailhongal jail. Her mortal remains are buried at Bailhongal.
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