Oddball Capers

The Human Gecko

20.04.2017

Chitradurgada Kallina Kote

Dangerously difficult stunts such as pushing his fingertips into imperceptible crevices and holes in rocks for support and balancing his body at impossible angles with the wall have earned him the sobriquet ‘Spiderman’. He accomplishes all this without basic equipment, climbing gear or formal Training.He just trusts his hardened fingertips and toes.

Jyoti Raj a.k.a Kothi(Monkey) Raj has exhibited his skills at various places: he has climbed the precipitous drop of over 800 Ft at Jog Falls without safety Harness or Support rope ! He has demonstrated his unique talent at Mangalore and Coondapur, Climbed the Clock Tower at Moorusavira Mutt,Hubli. He has appeared in an episode of “Superhumans”, a tele-series on Discovery Science which focuses on people with extraordinary abilities.

Fame attracted some film Producers to bring Raj in front of the camera. But, the film never saw the glare of the arc lights.He gently evades questions about his ‘Filmy’ exploits and Official support to his cause. Raj is lucky.One can never forget the case of Rajesh, a Tribal boy who was literally picked from the woods and exposed to the glare of the outside world . Unable to adjust and bear the shock he jumped off the third floor of a building he died instantly.

The weird happenings in Jyoti Raj’s life goes beyond climbing.”In my childhood I experienced a persistent dream in which I saw myself climbing the stone walls of an imposing fort. The dream stopped the day I reached Chitradurga”.

He ran away from home in Theni,Tamilnadu when he was still a child.Somehow he landed at Bagalkot,Karnataka and eked out a living doing odd jobs,working in a sweetmeat shop and later as a construction worker. For no particular reason he travelled to Chitradurga. Penniless and desparate, lonliness took its toll and he contemplated committing suicide.

One day Jyoti Raj hauled himself up a vertical 100 Ft. high stone wall at Chitradurga Fort and was about to jump to his death. Suddenly,the desperate boy noticed a crowd at the base of the wall were applauding.Stunned and confused he soon realized that the tourists were applauding what they thought was a performance.Fighting back tears Raj managed to wave to the unexpected audience. Since then he has been climbing the historical walls of Chitradurga’s fort to entertain thousands of tourists.

Raj has reconnected with his family in Theni. He visits them frequently.But,he cannot ever imagine leaving his beloved “Chitradurgada Kallina Kote”,or stop climbing its granite walls. He proudly signs off “ I work as a construction labourer and earn about Rs.400/- a day. But I spend Saturdays and Sundays at the Fort to entertain Visitors and train a dozen kids who aspire to become rock Climbers.

With his ‘Children’

I notice a group of kids,obviously the Trainees hopping up and down the granite steps.Introducing them to me he exclaims ”I have 20 children”.It is evident that all of them come from less fortunate families. He calls over one of the boys and asks him to shake hands with me. The boy I am told, finished first in a National Rock Climbing Competition at Bangalore last year.

Asked about his future plans,the simple man says that he would like to see at least one of his wards win a medal in the 2020 Olympics seeks the support from public towards the cause. His ultimate aim “Gellu illave Gellisu” ( Win or train a winner).

· With Jyoti Raj a.k.a Kothi Raj

Preparing to leave ,I coerce him to accept a small sum as token of appreciation.. He spontaneously responds by informing that he will utilize this for the benefit of his “Children”

For himself,he would like to continue climbing the rocky walls of Chitradurga Fort only to satisfy his soul.

As a parting gift he gives a demonstration of his incredible talent. Taking a deep breath he places his hands on the wall and in seconds he is on top . His palms and toes seem to act as suction cups, just like that of a Gecko. If ever there was a Human Gecko!!