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| Kunchomala, Nathoonippadam, Kundayithode, Kozhikode |
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She first draws a circle on the ground and then starts applying pickaxe and shovel… 55-year-old Kunchomala of Nathoonippadam, Kundayithode, Kozhikode has dug 125 wells during the last 8 years. People watch with bated breath as she descends into the depths of wells holding on to a rope that is the lifeline for her family’s daily bread too.
Her successful works are seen in Nadakkavu, Erahnipalam, Ramanattukara and Chemmad. The expertise of this woman mason has spread by word of mouth and people from far off places come to engage her for similar work. She charges Rs.800 per 1 ‘kol’ depth, but does not demand revision of rate if rock is encountered during digging.
Although she has dug so many wells, Kunchomala does not have a well of her own. Living in hut in a 2-cent land, she does not have the space for one.
According to her, at places, the bottoms of wells have suffocating odour. At such places, it is dangerous to descent and attempt to clear the gas by burning it. What she does is to stir the foul gas with a coconut leaf and lift up the leaf. Her experience is that this clears the toxic gases.
She was taught the basics of well digging by Chettukuzhi Mammakka. It was the punishment given by the master for wrong work that has made me a good worker now, she remembers.
Though she has dug wells for a long while, she does not have any assets. However, she was able to bring up her 4 children, when her husband was not with her.
When the newly dug well gushes forth water, the owners come rushing to her with fried rice and biriyani. Can there be a greater reward than the joy in their eyes, she asks.
Courtesy:
Ajith Abraham (text),
P.Mustafa (photo), Vanitha,
July 15-31, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
