Bravehearts: Chennamma of Keladi - part 1

Hi there!!! Today I’m starting a new segment: Bravehearts!! It’s the stirring tales of brave and courageous men and women of India and how they saved their kingdoms from the onslaughts of other kings. Today’s story is about the widowed queen of Keladi (A kingdom near Malnad), Chennamma. She was a merchant’s daughter, who didn’t have a drop of royal blood flowing through her veins. But she was fancied by the king of Keladi, Somashekar Nayak. Let’s see how she copes as the Queen of Keladi…

1663. Rameshwar fair. King Somashekar Nayak, the King of Keladi, was riding through the fete, with his entire regiment following behind him. Stalls were set up on both sides of the muddy road, selling toys, fruits and many other different bits and bobs. Many people bartered and waved at the shopkeepers, telling them to reduce their prices. The shopkeepers struggled to calm their customers. Some stayed, whereas some left in annoyance. They couldn't bear to buy the thingamajigs for such a price.

Somashekar scouted the place for beautiful objects and trinkets. He looked for genuine jewels which could adorn his palace. It was there that he saw her.

The daughter of a simple doll merchant, with lovely golden earrings hanging from her ears. Somashekar couldn't take his eyes off her. He was so entranced by her beauty, that he couldn't think of owning any of the other trinkets and knick-knacks. He knew this was the jewel that should adorn his palace.

Later, at his palace in Bidanur, the king sat at his court meeting. His ministers were worried for some reason. Somashekar had no clue why the ministers and courtiers were acting in such an unusual way. Somashekar Nayak was in a dazed state after seeing the woman in the fair. He dreamt of her day and night, without pause.

Suddenly, one of the ministers rose, "Maharaj, the kingdom of Keladi needs an heir. Is it not time you searched for a wife?!" The whole room started praising the courtiers, "Bhale Bhale!! Bhale Bhale!!!" Another one of them said, "In fact, the neighbouring kingdoms of Swadi and Beelagi have both offered to give you their daughters in marriage! They shall strengthen the bond between our kingdoms. They will be a major asset to our armies," The whole courtroom applauded, "Bhale Bhale!! Bhale Bhale!!!" Somashekar Nayak was deep in thought - well, dreaming. He didn't listen to what the courtiers said. He eyed the girl of his dreams blissfully. 

He woke from his daydream hearing the sounds of courtiers shouting, "Maharaj!! Maharaj!!" Shaking his head, Somashekar Nayak blinked his eyes and drowsily said, "Thank you for your suggestions. You may leave now. I would like to be alone." The ministers shuffled awkwardly out of the giant palace. All but one. Veeranna, the king's most trusted minister, stayed back. He knew that the king had a secret liking to the merchant's daughter. "Veeranna, my old and trusted friend, you stay on. What is the matter?" Veeranna smiled, "Old and experienced as I am, I know what is the matter. You shall have the bride you desire," Somashekar was astonished!! He didn't know that Veeranna knew about the liking he had towards the lady. "Her name is Chennamma. Please bring her to me, Veeranna."

Bidanur, decorated with lovely flowers and antique lamps, partied joyfully into the celebration of a much-awaited day. Chennamma and the king were married with great pomp and pizzazz. Many kings had been invited to the spectacular fest. Cries from the crowd came, "LONG LIVE THE KING!!!! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! LONG LIVE THE KING!!!! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!!!!!" Many rejoiced that day. But, some did not. Bharama Mahuta, the chief of the elephant force, wanted to overthrow Soamshekar and become the king of Keladi. He stared at Chennamma with rage, "Foiled!!! All my plans are now foiled with the arrival of Chennamma!! She will bear the king children, who will become the heirs to the throne!!!" Bharama thought to himself. Bharama's so-called smiling face changed for a split second into a face of anger. Chennamma saw Bharama's face, but didn't utter a word. She just gave herself a memo, "Memo to self: Never trust Bharama."

Life went by smoothly. Somashekar Nayak trained his wife, the exuberant, child-like daughter of a merchant into (Drumroll, please) Rani Chennamma of Keladi!! She was tutored by the king in horse-riding, archery and the famed art of sword-fighting!! She was soon turned into a rough-and-tough fighter!! The king was elated at the sight of his wife becoming a well-trained soldier, but more pressing matters concerned him - Like becoming the father of the heir to the throne. He knew that he needed an heir, but Chennamma was so busy training.

Years passed, but the queen didn't bear a son!! She did her normal daily pastimes, like pottery and art. One day, Chennamma was strolling in the royal gardens, when she spotted a female elephant and her baby. She ran to hug the baby. When she stroked the little elephant, tears rolled down her cheeks, "Oh, how loving little ones are!!" She affectionately stroked its body, hugging it too. Bharama was watching this and hatched a horrible plot.

Bharama stomped to the king. Somashekar was strolling down the corridors, when he saw Bharama pacing to him. "O King, I have finally found a remedy!!" Somashekar was confused, "Remedy for what?" Bharama explained the whole thing, how he saw the queen tenderly holding the calf in her hands, and then Somashekar understood!!! He finally got to know what he was saying!!! "O King, the remedy is… gusbusgusbus…" The king didn't know what Bharama was explaining, but it seemed well and truly fine!! He decided to have a go at the remedy Bharama had made.

That night, Bharama mixed the remedy very well, except for adding one more ingredient. He added the dung of an elephant!!! Somashekar was oblivious of the ingredients that Bharama had added. He thought that Bharama was only trying to save the throne. But, what he didn't know, was that Bharama was going to poison him!!!! Somashekar was anxious. He didn't know what would happen to himself if he drank it. But, he decided to go on with Bharama's idea.

Somashekar sat on his bed, ready to drink the juice. "Bharama!! Give it to me." Bharama handed the cup full of sludge. Somashekar eyed it steadily, and chugged all of it down in one huge gulp. He clutched his throat in disgust, and choked horribly. He thanked Bharama and went to sleep.

Late in the night, "CHENNA!!! CHENNA!!!! SAVE ME!!!! CHENNA!!!!" Chennamma woke up to hear the king shouting and screaming like a delusional person. She ran to call Veeranna. Sometime later, Veeranna came to see that the king was unconscious. He was shaking in pain and sometimes falling without a heartbeat. Everyone was scared. They didn't know what had come over the king. Suddenly, Somashekar woke up and started shaking, "Chenna… A son is compulsory… Chenna… Chenna… Ah - how loving little ones are… Uuuh…" The queen shook his body. There was no response. She shook him again. There was no answer. Veeranna checked the body and concluded, "I am sorry, Your Highness…"
Chennamma roared in agony. Her husband was dead. The king of Keladi was dead. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!"

Thanks for reading Chennamma of Keladi - part 1!!! Please type your email in the box above followers and click the blue button to subscribe to my blog and receive updates about my posts!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!