Perugu Chettu stands tall without curd vendors

Eluru: A peepal tree popularly known as “Perugu Chettu” (curd tree) stands alone in the one town area in the town. The tree is offshoot of its cousin which was uprooted in a cyclone about two and half decades back. The earlier tree used to give shade to a number of milk and curd sellers from the neighbouring villages. That is why it acquired the name of ‘perugu chettu’.

The vendors from neighbouring villages Vanguru, Chodimella, Kovvali, Denduluru, Palagudem and other areas used to reach the point in the early morning and sell dairy products. This is the only sales point for milk, curd and during the season colostrum or foremilk (Junnu Palu in Telugu). An octogenarian, G Mahalakshmi of Powerpet told The Hans India that perugu chettu was very famous during her childhood.

The vendors used to sell the curd in earthen pots under its shade, she recollected. Another octogenarian K L Narasimha Rao said they used to go over to the tree to buy either milk or curd. They also used to play in the area in childhood.

It is now history. The centuries-old tree was uprooted in a cyclone. Luckily, another peepal tree grew up from the roots of the old tree. Unfortunately, there are no milk and curd vendors under its shade now. Only one or two vendors visit there and sit under its shade to sell the curd and milk.

N Varalaksmi, a curd vendor, who sat under the shade of the Perugu Chettu awaiting the customers, said, “I came here over three years back to sell milk and curd. My mother knows very well about the history of this tree. The tree had served so many curd vendors according to my mother.

The Dairies are supplying milk, curd and other milk products these days. So there is no need to do business under this tree.” With this, the centre has lost its glory. Nevertheless, the Perugu Chettu name and the centre exist forever.