Budugu: The Indian Dennis the Menace

Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and Bapu created one of the most memorable characters in the Telugu and Indian literary contexts, called Budugu. Readers see the world through the lens of a mischievous, adorable young Telugu boy, who has an opinion about anything and everything.

Budugu, written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, illustrated by Bapu, Source: Youtube

Budugu has sold over 3 lakh copies since the first edition was published in the 1960s, and has been reprinted over 30 times. The story and dialogues were written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, and his counterpart, Bapu, illustrated the art.

Bapu-Ramana are household names in Telugu communities, known as the pair for having created several notable films, as well as the unforgettable character of Budugu. ‘Budugu- Chichula Pidugu’ was published as a serial in Andhra Patrika, a Telugu newspaper, where the character of Budugu was first introduced.

Written in first person, the book follows a young Telugu boy living in Andhra Pradesh and his entertaining world views. He is a naughty, precocious, and articulate child who has his own way of speaking the Telugu language. The boy dreams of becoming a railway engine driver or a horse-cart rider when he grows up. He speaks about family, the proper raising of children, and Telugu culture. It is hilarious to see a character this young talk about topics like these. For example, he talks about how parents should treat their children without reprimanding them.

Some of the other characters in this book are Gopalam, Budugu’s father, Radha, his mother, Baamma, his grandmother, Baabai, his uncle, and See Gaana Pesunaamba, a young girl he likes. The book follows these characters as they go about their daily lives, in a distinct language that Ramana is known for. The book was influenced by real-life incidents and the power of observation.

The events that take place in the book were derived from Ramana’s own childhood as a rambunctious young boy and his wild imagination. ‘Budugu’ is a pet name for the protagonist of the book, a name that was later adopted by many parents to call their kids the same. This is a book that is loved and cherished by Telugu people till today, after over 60 years since its release.

Bapu’s illustrations of the characters are simple, yet convey the exact emotions that are being described. Using minimal sketching, he relies more on facial expressions to convey the emotions in each scene, in his signature style. Ramana’s words have a distinct tone that sets him apart from other writers. The words that Budugu uses in his dialogues are fully from Ramana’s imagination, making the book effortlessly funny. Budugu’s character is one that is opinionated, and fiercely so. From politics to money, from family to inflation, he has an opinion on everything.

Ramana experiments with spelling words differently than usual to add a layer of depth to the character, and to make him stand out. The typos and grammatical slips are a unique feature of the book, mirroring a young child’s still developing language. It takes a while to get the hang of the words because of the spelling, but that's where lies the charm.

Having readers see the world from a child’s perspective is brilliant. He inserts metaphors that adults use, but in language that kids are familiar with, blending innocence and wit. The book is an observation of life in the 50s, and Budugu’s sharp observations of society and the adults that surround him.

Those who read the book as a child enjoy it, and those who read it as an adult are filled with a sense of nostalgia, for life before the advent of technology, and for a life of simplicity. The age of innocence is wonderfully captured and is treated with love and affection, making Budugu’s character greatly endearing. Every dialogue and illustration in the book is bound to bring a smile to your face.