Mechanisation takes sheen off annual farm tool fair

​Kurnool: The Gateway of Rayalaseema is famous for a variety of traditional events, be it Bunny Utsavam of Devaragattu or Nuggulata Utsavam (Pidakala Samaram) of Kairuppala in Aspari Mandal. Rythu Jatara at Tartur village in Jupadu Bungalow of Nandikotkur Assembly constituency is another famous annual fair where all agriculture implements are available at one place.

• With technology making inroads into agriculture, the popularity of famed Tartur Rythu Jatara is on the wane
• The annual event which even has a historical backdrop is fighting a survival battle with declining number of farmers visiting it
• The Jatra was once a hit among farmers of Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and neighbouring Karnataka State

In the wake of mechanisation of agriculture, the use of traditional farm tools is on the decline. The popularity of Jatara is also on the wane. Like all other events, Tartur Jatara has its own legend. Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple in the village is closely associated with the conduct of Jatara.

As per the legend, Rangamma, an ardent devotee of Lord Ranganatha who hailed from Srirangapuram village near Pebberu, was married to Raja Reddy of Ulavapadu dynasty, a native of Tartur, in the ancient times. After the marriage, she came to her in-laws' house carrying several gift items as per the Hindu tradition.

While performing puja at the entrance of her in-laws’ house, Rangamma threw away one of the gift items to reduce the weight she was carrying. It was a wooden figurine. Later, Lord Ranganatha appeared in the dream of her husband Raja Reddy and asked him to build a temple at the place where the wooden figurine fell by describing it as his image.

The Lord also directed him to perform a Jatara at the temple every year from Chaitra Suddha Ashtami to Chaitra Suddha Bahula Vidiya. Raja Reddy simply ignored the directive of the Lord. Later, several unfortunate incidents took place in his house. When he asked the soothsayer about the misfortune, she told him that it was the wrath of the Lord for ignoring his directive.

While he was not able to come to a clear-cut conclusion on the issue, the Lord appeared in the dream of Raja Reddy again and asked him to build the temple. Without further ado, Raja Reddy obeyed the directive of the Lord. Thus came up the temple at Tartur and the tradition of holding the annual Jatara began.

It slowly became popular with the participation of farmers of nearby villages in it in large numbers. The Jatara also attracted traders and craftsmen from other parts who felt that it was a right place to make a fast buck by selling their wares. Earlier, the Jatara used to be held for one month.

Farmers of Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and neighbouring Karnataka used to visit the Jatara to buy quality agricultural implements. With the advent of modern times, the Jatara is slowly losing its sheen due to various factors. Mechanisation of agriculture is one of the main reasons, which led to steep decline in the demand for farm tools.

Due to the poor turnout, the organisers reduced the number of Jatara days from 30 to 10. There is also a steep fall in the trade volume at Jatara with only a few takers for agriculture tools. Speaking to The Hans India, a craftsman who displayed his were at the ongoing Jatara, said, “I am participating in the annual fair to uphold the tradition despite the fall in the demand for agriculture tools.

Modern farm tools may be highly durable and cost-effective, but they do not have the charm associated with traditional implements. Besides promoting mechanisation of agriculture, the State government should not ignore the traditional events like Rythu Jatara of Tartur, which reflect our rich culture and heritage.”