Nights Around the Fire 🔥

Winter nights in the villages of Rayalaseema had a bite to them. As the chill set in, a small bonfire (bogi manta) would be lit in the street or the courtyard. Neighbors would gather, wrapped in old woolen shawls. Peanuts were roasted in the embers, and cups of piping hot chai were passed around. The crackling fire was the center of our universe. Stories flowed freely—tales of old times, local lore, and village gossip. The warmth of the fire was only matched by the warmth of the community. In those moments, under a star-studded sky, life felt whole and beautifully simple.