India’s Massive Joint Family: Consuming 50 Kg of Rice Daily and 10 Kg of Meat on Weekends
In Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India, a massive joint family that has continued for six generations lives together. This family requires 50 kilograms of rice every day for their meals. On Sundays, considered a special day for eating meat, the family needs an entire sheep, and 15 kilograms of flour are used to prepare fritters.
The family’s enormous food requirements are due to its 83 members.
To understand the daily lives and activities of the family members, a team visited Khurulapalli. Discover where and how so many members live together and learn about their lifestyle.
Khurulapalli is located about seven kilometers from Kalyandurg.
The village comprises 400 houses with a population of around 2,000. Upon entering the village and turning right, two large houses stand opposite each other on the road, occupied by a single family.
Along one side of the road are two-story houses with a kitchen visible immediately upon entrance. Behind them are two-story cattle sheds. Next to these is another three-story house with a large open space nearby used for parking tractors and buses. Currently, a fourth house is under construction as the existing three are insufficient.
The main source of income for this vast family is agriculture. All members jointly engage in farming, rear cattle and sheep, and produce milk.
Leadership Responsibility Held by Elders
Hanumantha Raidu and Mutyalappa jointly lead the 83-member joint family.
Decisions regarding farming, milk production, and trade are made collectively by them.
Hanumantha Raidu, the family head, stated, “Providing daily provisions to 83 members is my responsibility. Although Mutyalappa is my brother-in-law, he never opposes me and always respects me.”
“After the deaths of my father and grandfather, I have borne the family’s responsibilities alone. We educate the children and manage farming along with other duties,” Mutyalappa explained.
“We live by mutual cooperation. So far no disputes have arisen within our family. We all work hard together. Even my sisters-in-law listen to me. Although we have many children between us, no one has objected,” he added.
“Everyone Walks the Same Path”
Mutyalappa shared that they have been living together since their grandparents’ time and intend to continue doing so in the future.
“Since our grandparents’ generation, we have lived together. We strive to maintain this unity. Every morning we sit together to assign tasks to each member. We also invite outsiders to help with farming. We raise our nieces and nephews in our home, and their children also remain part of our family. This is our approach to family management,” he explained.
“Earlier, we had to face significant poverty and hardship. We lacked blankets and sometimes had only one meal a day. Today we have overcome those difficult times and reached this stage due to all members living together. If we had separated, we would have never achieved this,” he emphasized.
They estimate that building their current home cost about 200 million rupees and underscore that such an achievement was not possible through individual effort.
“My father owned 60 acres of land. After his passing, we collectively bought 75 acres. Therefore, I advise everyone — do not separate, everything will be fine if we stay united,” he added.
Mahesh, taking main responsibility for family management, said, “During morning tea, particularly two members decide who will do which work. My father’s name is Hanumantha Raidu. All senior members drink tea together and discuss for half an hour before deciding work assignments. My duties include vehicle maintenance and procuring household essentials. Another elder delivers fruits and tomatoes to the market by small truck. We are involved in farming, shepherding sheep, and cattle care. So far, no disputes or problems have occurred.”
Chimmala Nagappa was the head of the family’s first generation. He had two wives and arranged the marriage of his first wife’s daughter to Yellappa.
After the deaths of Yellappa and Nagappa, Hanumantha Raidu and Mutyalappa became the successors and currently lead the elderly in the family.
Besides his leadership duties, Mutyalappa works as a postal messenger and has no other job.
After completing the morning routine, some members go to the fields, others care for cattle. Some milk cows, others tend sheep. Women are responsible for cooking, and children attend school.
Hanumantha Raidu arranges marriages between close relatives to prevent family disputes.
He said, “I arranged nine marriages for my sons and brothers on the same day.”
Traditional Cooking Methods Maintain Food Preparation
All 83 members eat meals cooked in the same kitchen, prepared over a traditional firewood stove. This cooking style has been followed for six generations.
Mahesh mentioned that despite three houses, the family shares a single kitchen and sleeps wherever work permits. Meals are cooked in one large pot to serve all members.
“Until now, we have never used gas; we continue to use traditional firewood stoves,” Mahesh said.
For breakfast, millet porridge is made, and those going to the fields take a packed lunch. Anu, a guide, shared, “We prepare the same breakfast for everyone, including vegetables, rice, and lentils. Once a week, we also prepare fritters and sweets.”
Rajeshwari manages all cooking.
“We use one packet of oil daily and need to provide food for 20 to 30 additional guests apart from the 83 family members. Three kilograms of lentils and pickles must also be prepared,” she stated.
“One Sheep and 10 Kilograms of Chicken on Sundays”
Rajeshwari further informed that during festivals, two sheep and 20 kilograms of chicken are required.
The family speaks Kannada at home.
None of the family members hold government or private jobs.
The family owns four buses collectively. Despite some members completing certificates and postgraduate studies, elders have dropped out of education to manage household responsibilities.
“None of our family members have jobs. The elder members are aging, and caring for them has become challenging. Hence, we left studies to care for them ourselves,” Mahesh said.
“All children in the family attend government schools and colleges. There are 32 children living here.”
The family cultivates crops and vegetables to meet its needs.
Mahesh said, “We mainly cultivate chilies, tomatoes, melons, nuts, and almonds. We transport our produce to various cities using our own vehicles to avoid middlemen, sustaining ourselves through this income.”
There are six mothers-in-law and 14 daughters-in-law in the family; Mahesh mentioned that conflicts among women have never occurred.
Rajeshwari said, “Though we occasionally quarrel, by evening everyone enjoys time together. I am the eldest granddaughter of the house and grateful that my grandparents educated me from a young age. My uncles and aunts are happy to live in this family as well. Nowadays, many families break due to property disputes, but we take pride in the fact that all 83 members still live together.”
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