Dhukhapu Rangu – A Story of struggle, Sorrow, resilience and Strength
Sona is a young woman living in a remote tribal village surrounded by hills. Though it is called a forest, there is barely a drop of clean water available. Her husband, Bhukya, has married another woman, Rukku, and brought her home. Despite having a second wife, he forces all the household chores upon Sona, treating her with neglect and cruelty. Every day, she toils relentlessly, living only for her son, Krishna, enduring more suffering than love in her marriage.
One day, Bhukya tries to get close to Sona again, but she refuses to believe his deceitful words. Angered by her rejection, he resorts to physical violence and throws her out of the house in the middle of the night. The villagers watch but do not intervene. With nowhere to go, Sona spends the entire night outside, suffering in silence.
Seeing her struggles, her brother Murali visits the village and urges her to leave with him. However, Sona refuses, unwilling to abandon her son. In an attempt to help, Murali arranges for a borewell to be drilled, but even after digging deep, no water is found. This mirrors the reality of her life—no matter how much she struggles, her circumstances refuse to change.
Every day, Sona carries water from the distant well, continuing her exhausting routine. But in the end, even the drinking water at home is used up by Rukku, leaving none for her thirsty son. As she lifts the glass to his lips, her own silent tears fall into the water—a deeply emotional moment that encapsulates her pain and endurance.
This story reflects the oppression, gender inequality, and relentless struggles faced by women in rural societies. Sona is a symbol of resilience, standing tall despite her hardships. Her tears, hunger, and thirst mark the scars of a poverty-stricken life, painting a vivid picture of suffering and strength.
Story name : Dhukhapu Rangu (The Color of Sorrow)
Author: Vanaja Tatineni
We are delighted to announce that ‘Dhukhapu Rangu’, a collection of 24 stories by Vanaja Tatineni, will soon be available through Bala Books Publications.
