Meet Anasuya, the woman managing a Shivamogga crematorium for over 25 years

The rituals and traditions of several communities restrict women’s participation in the cream of the dead. However, the challenges of life forced a woman in Shivamogga to work as a guard at the crematorium for more than 25 years.

The 45 -year -old Anasuya looks at the rotating crematorium in Vidya Nagara in Shivamogga. It receives documents, arranges fuel for Pyre, helps family members to carry out rituals, and allows families to take the ashes later.

Since the age of 18

Anasuya entered the crematorium at the age of 18 when he married Nagaraj, who worked as a guard there. The couple had a reeds in the crematorium facilities. A few years later, Nagarage died, then the mother took over as a guard.

“I have dealt with thousands of bodies in the last thirty years. In many cases, I burned the pyre in the absence of family members. During the Covid-19 pandemi, I especially caught many people, Mrs Mrs. Anasuya says.

There were days when the number of dead bodies reaching the crematorium during the sponge was high up to 21. “Due to the restrictions given to avoid the spread of infection, there were almost no family members to accompany the bodies in those days. I only handled these difficult days,” he remembers.

Anasuya has been interested in Rotary Crematorium in Vidya Nagara in Shivamogga for 25 years. | Photo Loan: Special Editing

A home demand

Anasya, a native of Gokarna in Uttara Kannada region, moved to Shivamogga at a young age. Her husband Nagaraj had two sons from her first marriage. They established their families in a temporary house in the crematorium facilities. Anasya was interested in the stepson, one who died a few years ago. Another step son lives away from him.

He gave birth to a baby who died in a month. “For many years, we lived in a hut a few meters away from the burning pyres. It was not easy. I always dreamed of having my own home in a settlement, Mrs Mrs. Anasuya says.

Repeated satisfaction was not fulfilled to Shivamogga City City Corporation and other state institutions to give a house. Now, he’s alone in a rental house in the city.

In the early hours of the day, he reaches the crematorium and stays there until 18.30, and his doner club pays him 8,000 ° a month. He hardly never visited him from his relatives.

When asked how long it will work in the crematorium, Pat said, “I work here as long as I’m alive. What else can I do?” Later, philosophically, “Anyway, everyone should come here one day. And in my case, I stay here until that day.”