Putri Raj

When Putriraj, a 13-year-old boy studying in eight standard, comes back home from school in the evening, his mother will be ready with a small flask filled with tea and another small flask filled with hot milk for making coffee.

By 5 o clock, he takes the flask and goes to the Virupaksha temple. He works as a tea and coffee seller in the temple premises till the flasks become empty or the last bus back home leaves at 8.45 pm.

Putriraj is a popular presence; charming, full of verve and always game for a conversation. He is fluent in Hindi and has a reasonable command over English. He speaks about almost everything that is likely to occupy the mind of a person who has come to Hampi. He can tell you about Hampi’s history, temple rituals, and various myths about the region. He will also tell you about security checks, auto fares and bus timings.

He has one younger sister, Mahalakshmi. His father is a mason who no longer goes to work after his hand was paralysed.

The conductor of the last bus never charges Putriraj for a ticket.

(Taken from Hampi, Karnataka)