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Fictions are strange but facts are stranger than fiction.
Fictions are strange but facts are stranger than fiction.
Tears Drown Saris
Making rounds at relatives, a customary practise for all the newly weds among the Bengalis; Mrs Chino Mazumdar and her husband chief officer Mr Mohan Mazumdar were following norms. They took the local-train from the suburban Habra to visit Mrs Nita Bhattacharya at their home in Ballygang.
Nita and Chino were first cousins. Chino addressed Nita, Didi and her husband Mr Swami Bhattacharya, Jamaibabu as per their social custom. Chino adored both of them as her model gurus.
The day being a week day Jamaibabu was not at home. Didi, Jamaibabu provided unconditional help and assistance to Chino at her wedding ceremonies, helping her father; Nita's paternal uncle Choteau-kaku with moral support and more. In anticipation she wanted to thank -- by an extra treat. She proposed going to the cinema.
Changing into a dry-cleaned silk sari without dressing Mini, Nita was preparing for the extravaganza. This was unusual. Mini wondered, if ma would be going for movies as Aunty Chino Mashie insisted.
'Why ma not dresses her before getting herself ready' thought little Mini a wee bit puzzled. Normally Mini accompanied her mother everywhere.
Enjoying the advantages of being the only daughter from her very early days of grasp; Mini was father's pet and mother's dream; showered attention wherever she went; always favoured by Nita's only brother, 'Mamu' Mini's affectionate uncle.
When Chino Mashie proposed cinema Mini remembered, with her 'Mamu' going to the cinema 'Kabuliwala' and feeling sad for the turbaned, bearded man who wept because he had to go to 'Sasurbari' something which he disliked to do.
'Mini, 'Sasurbari' means the house of the in laws and all girls must go there once they grow up' explained Mamu buying Cadbury at break. Mini was full of questions about what she saw on screen. Mamu never lost patience to answer her non-stop curiosities.
Though a full time Ayah looked after her three children, Nita would never leave Mini behind. Two boys Sam and Ram both born behind Mini each with two years gap kept the Ayah on her toes...
Her brothers were too small to be taken anywhere by hand. One was a toddler another mostly hibernating. They needed to be carried, an idea not very feasible for a long stretch of hours outdoors. Those days Prams were not popular in Calcutta middle class families.
To add an extra dash Aunty Chino Mashie brought out her vanity case; Mini ran to her observing in detail as she applied fresh coats of glossy red nail polish on her finger and toe nails. Her nails wore beautiful sheen and the golden ring with green stone made her fingers, that of a fairy's. Little Mini contemplated.
Unable resist look alike her, she stretched her tiny fingers, asking if Chino
Mashie would let her wear the same red lustre.
"In your left hand finger nails only" she said.
"Right hand fingers need to be free because you eat your food and the paint is chemical, unhealthy for children"
You can wear in all ten fingers when you grow up and work in office; then you may eat your food with fork and knives" she added.
"Mashie I can already eat my food with fork and knife" replied Mini.
"Oh! You do?"
"Yes Mashie"
"That's a good girl but nail polish today is for the left finger nails only"
Good enough for Mini who felt joyous to wear her permission.
Tiny nails' coral sparkle made Mini turn her hands in all directions; fingers spread carefully, so, as not to smudge. Now and then she held them to her nostrils, sniff, swish in air, turn and swing her arms, sybaritic indeed. She not only enjoyed her finger nails gleam but also its odour. She gave her Aunty a big hug as thank you, carefully protecting her nail varnishes.
Visibly happy playing her adornment, she did not forget to check for her mother to see whether she was really preparing to go to the cinema without her.
Satisfied, she backed to her red hot current hobby of admiring her nails hopping skipping and jumping like a kitten.
The film was not 'U' thus children were not allowed, Swami had said to Didi. Nita was not too enthusiastic to leave Mini behind. However, she did not want to disappoint her cousin either. Slipping away quietly they set off. The Ayah helped them to tip toe out of the house. Mini danced and frolicked oblivious of proceedings.
A sudden silence made the child suspicious and she ran searching for Nita. Not finding her, "Where is mummy?" she enquired from the Ayah.
"Mummy is in toilet" answered the Ayah lightly.
"Oh!" she said unworried. "Has Aunty Chino Mashie and Mohan Uncle left for the cinema?" enquired further the little girl.
"Yes, they have just gone"
"Then let us go to the balcony, I want to say bye, bye to them" Mini dragged a reluctant Ayah to the veranda.
Mini looked through the balcony to wave at her uncle Mohan and Chino Mashie when suddenly the rustle of her mummy's turquoise silk drape arrested her attention. She was startled. Her instant reaction was an anxious scream "Mummy"
Nita turned and smiled at her daughter.
"We'll come back soon, this film is not for children and so we cannot take you" came floating from her.
Nita's voice got drowned at Mini's wailing. She only heard her ma say "?we cannot take you." Crying loudly "Mummy I want to go with you" Mini could not hold back her tears.
She could hear "cannot take you" hammer her ears which made her cry louder calling out "Ma, ma, ma I want to come, I want to go. You cannot leave me." Nita did not stop or stay back as wished by her daughter; waving her hand she left with her cousin and brother in law. Would she enjoy the picture at all?
Mini wept bitterly sobbing all the while. How could mummy leave without her?
What was so wrong if she went? Why they could not take her? Mummy never ever did this before. Holding mummy's hands she went to Robibharati on Sunday evenings even though children were not allowed at the adult Bhagawad Gita recitations.
Nita had managed special permission to take her daughter along. Carefully tutored to sit through quiet, listen, and not utter a word while the pundit in white dhoti and chador spoke to the crowd; explain paragraphs from the Gita; Mini was very obedient. Always still, folded legs on design-woven, mat spread across marble floor.
Participants were welcome with a cool touch on their foreheads. Daub from marigold in liquefied sandalwood cream by an assistant. Corner of the room a large bouquet of Rajnigandha from a pretty vase, emanated silent fragrance blending curl emits, from a bunch of incense with glowing heads.
She was hopelessly sad and angry at her mother that day. Incredible sorrow made Mini weep inconsolably and the Ayah did not aggravate vulnerability by adding tales of reasons as to why her ma left; leaving her alone. Mini would soon tire, crying, and doze away for sure. The Ayah knew child make-up and went about her cores.
Giving vent to her grief stricken anger, little Mini took all her mother's saris lying outside the dresser, carried them to the washroom, one after another, and soaked all of them into the tub full of water. Every one of them, turquoise, and pink, yellow, red, orange all length dived into water.
Bend low while soaking mummy's saris she splashed water from tub swirling and turning with her small arms, literally battling to accomplish her retribution. Mini loved to play with water, another of her pet activity.
She watched the patterns in the liquid, try catch the swirls with hands. Dripping wet, closing and opening her fists under water; she did this for hours, trying to understand and wonder, why water slip away through fingers.
"All wet saris for not taking me with you, mummy" she murmured to herself.
By enhancing the volume of work for her mother she felt satisfied. However an hour in water cooled Mini; wiping herself dry she emerged from the bathroom.
Angry little Mini back to sense felt a bit scared. What if beating awaits her back for her deed crazily angry? Guilt panged her. She remembered again Mamu took her for Kabuliwala, and mummy stayed back without complaining. Not a good deed by Mini, was she a naughty girl? Never would she do this again! She thought to herself. The Ayah had no idea to the occurrence. Tired, she grabbed catnap while the babies were on a siesta.
Taking out her drawing book, Mini sketched landscape filling the same with colours. Green grass, golden sun, blue sky, birds in heaven, brown branches and yellow for the walls of the house... in no time she was fast asleep with her head over writing table.
Finding Mini's head down on desk, Nita lifted her up tenderly as not to wake her but she was wide eyed at her touch. Seeing mummy back Mini put her arms around Nita's neck and would not leave, kissing repeatedly not revealing her naughty action.
It did not take Nita to discover the situation, with her soaked saris. She was thoroughly amused at her little girl's anger. To Mini she smiled asking if she felt happy at her act. Mini was ashamed of being so cross with mummy. Added embarrassment, mummy did not even scold her.
Mini was sure of her mother's love ever more. The incident touched Nita too. She never left her daughter for any extravaganza that came her way until the babies were old enough to be carried and Mini could understand better. Her children were always there wherever she went, when not in school. Visiting friends, relatives or to the post office, bank, marketing?
Emptiness terribly upset Mini. Vacuum filled her heart. At fifty two, Mini felt herself like a helpless child? Tears blinded her vision. She returned to her mummy's empty flat. Her mother was lost.
It was Mini who had gone away like normal practise in society; for quite some years from her ma; only because Swami Bhattacharya took her away. Besides Mini visited ma often and again. There should be no ground for mother to leave without notice. Where could she go plagued her mind. How should she go searching?
Mini felt left behind. She wanted to follow her mummy on 15th March the day she went away leaving Mini feel like an orphan. She regretted having delayed response to her mother's call. Nita had asked her daughter not to leave when she last visited her. Though she could afford to stay, unforeseen kept her away from staying back.
Now it was too late. She was annoyed again, angry at self, vexed just like that day when Chino Mashie visited them and mummy slipped away without saying. Helplessness encompassed her. What so ever Mini did, there was no way she could express her agony. Though more than half a century mature she felt like little Prince William; wake up to find his mother never ever to return.
Her aches doubled picturing her own son; unable to hear grandmother speak; ventilator stuck in mouth and gullet into the lungs. From abroad he had rushed to her side leaving his entire contractual obligations. Mini visualised Nita's eye glisten joy and sorrow seeing her grandson Aryan. Awfully painful replay of hospital ICCU broke her into sobs.
Feel the satisfaction of a sound reprisal. There were no takers for her acrimonies. Deprived was her feeling. Her greatest treasure ? mother lost forever. No detective, no authority, no mighty could find her and bring her back. How useless were promises of mortals, to do this do that, bring this, bring that?
Mini arranges her mother's saris, fold them neatly. Holding them up close to her heart she takes a deep breath. Mummy's smell settles in her as wealth. Tears stream her cheeks, adequate to soak her mother's saris!
Man Proposes
1835 2nd February Proposal in the British Parliament
A hundred and seventy one years ago, Lord McCauley spoke in the British Parliament about India. After blanket coverage of the land he said, ?I have travelled length and breadth across India and have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief.?
Indian prosperity struck him to the extent, honestly to say set him running wild, strategically to possess, he had a work out on mind and recommended saying, ?Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, and people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is its spiritual and cultural heritage.?
Very wisely, to benefit the insatiability of the then British Empire he put forward ?Therefore I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.?
Enslaved India conquered through treachery and cunning in the past has managed freedom from Empirical tyranny. However, infected by amnesia the country suffers immensely, all the more with sporadic onslaughts from literature prize winning celebrities who dismiss the existence of this beautiful nation as if the covetous eyes of Lords and Ladies fell on imaginary notions.
How come when there was no existence of a nation that a Lord McCauley could confer a proposition to conquer this country India? Which was this country? Was it a nation with no boundary? Through non-interference, live and let live in connection, and Buddha?s Ahimsa united beyond the Himalayas, Deserts, and Indian Ocean...
Known well, it is that attaching disgrace and stigma are workmanship of the scoundrels. High time should stop such nefarious activities that the world may breathe in peace to pursue universal activities. Through scientific researches, find how the souls energetic travel time space and biological, molecule, genetic?
Again, it is the intelligent disposition of setting priorities. Run the race together and relish gathering wins. Coping handicap but with no supercilious egomaniac fits. Man proposes God disposes!
“Bhava sagara tarono karono hey robi nandan bandana khandano hey swarana goto kinkara bhito mone …dina jane ….”
“Bhava sagara …
Swaranagata kinkara …
Robinandana bandana ...
Gurudeva Daya Kara Dina Jane…”
At the commencement of dawn, grandfather’s melodious hymns woke Mona and her two little brothers Middy and Tiny from their sleep - all three rushing from bed into his arms calling “Dado, dado, dado” each cuddling to occupy his lap in competition.
Taking a break from his prayers grandfather would hand his three grandchildren to grandmother for a shower, a condition laid by Dado if they were to join him in prayers. Eager to participate they were most obedient little angels.
Wet hair neatly combed, dressed fresh the tiny tots, sat with palms clasped in prayer flanking the elderly man clad in dhoti, repeating “Bhava sagara…” chorus in baby accent. From decorations of sweet smelling flowers, and their chants the deities enlivened, an ornate ambience of opulence reigned.
Early days, every summer, Mr Jyotish Disso-Roy from “Opar Bangla” visited his eldest daughter Rani in Park Circus Calcutta. His other younger daughter Madhuri married to Paresh Biswas in Tollygunge and his only son Robbie Disso-Roy an engineer, a fresher, newly stationed at Durgapore.
Though, his sibling established in the western part of Bengal nevertheless he could not give up his occupation on the other side, thus returning again and again, against the wishes of relatives and children. After all, the middle brother was still on the other side as well.
Years by, this uncertain oscillation made Mr Disso-Roy and his wife Jyotsna pretty upset about their future. Rani proposed her father to take a voluntary retirement and live with her forever in Calcutta. Self-esteem of Mr Disso-Roy crashed the proposal; living with his daughter.
Though his son in law Shashanka Bhattacharya, a gem of a person never objected to their permanent company, Mr Disso-Roy felt embarrassed. Actually, Shashanka felt it would be a blessing to have them around as his obligation in the Railways kept him often compulsory, away, and Rani had to manage the three kids all by herself.
With tiny fingers, Mona the little artist traced maps of India from plastic soapbox covers and sold her pieces to Dado in exchange of invisible notes. His pocket bulged with outsized collection of scraps, which he literally carried back to show his colleagues, proud of his loving, affectionate granddaughter from India. Dado, was Mona’s hot favourite.
However, every evening he took Tiny for a walk, really for sweetmeats at ‘K. C. Maiti,’ and managed to convince Mona out of their way. Therefore, Mona preferred to play with her friend Kuku while grandmother baby-sitting Middy, kept him busy with anecdotes. Every summer Rani eagerly waited for her mother’s company.
Time flew along lines of procrastinate, wavering, visits, and the children grew to schools.
Holidays in December, found Rani alongside children, visit her husband in Asansol where Shashanka transferred but did not disturb to shift the whole family, as the kids were progressive in Calcutta schools.
On one afternoon in Asansol Mona heard her parents repeatedly read aloud a letter from Uncle Robbie, something very unusual. Emergency in voice they discussed “Robbie had a Registration Marriage.” Key word on their lips sounded Registration. In the letter Robbie requested Shashanka, to negotiate with the girl’s family because the marriage was undisclosed.
As the eldest son in law, Shashanka Bhattacharya had to handle the situation responsibly. Taking leave, family in tow he rushed to Calcutta. Now his brother in law Robbie needed all possible support for a social marriage in consent with the girl’s family. He also had to convince Rani’s father of Robbie’s independent choice. Shashanka felt great relief when Mrs and Mr Disso-Roy received the news unhurt, visibly cool.
Robbie introduced Seta Bose-Roy to Ranididi and Shashanka at their Park Circus home. Before 1962, love marriages were seldom, a trend began thus needed a cover up - arrange marriages of proposal. Careful plans were set. Mona would accompany her father Shashanka but act as if she saw Seta for the first time in her house, no crying Mamima as Mona made rapid relationship with Seta calling her Mamima straight away.
Mona played the role perfect. Mr Shashanka Bhattacharya politely approached Seta’s father Advocate Anil Bose-Roy who had seven daughters and four sons Seta the eldest among his daughters. Mr S Bhattacharya’s proposal for his brother in law with no dowry demands impressed the girl’s family.
Pleasantries exchanged at the girl’s house in Tollygunge in spite of the disquieting mosquitoes. One of Seta’s sisters brought the Flit pump and sprayed mosquito deterrents. Another one burnt incense to neutralize the strong smell.
A good start indeed for the family felt Mrs Bose-Roy as Robbie not only handsome had a very comfortable income, an aspect all mothers found attractive for their daughters…
Their only son to marry; Mr Jyotish Disso-Roy Mrs Jyotsna Disso-Roy invited each and everyone, friends, relatives far and wide. Boubhat at Park Circus marriage ceremony in Tollygunge, all marriage rituals over the couple would leave for Durgapore.
January 1963 the house was abuzz, Rani’s younger sister Madhuri helped with errands. Decorators set up tarpaulin colourful Pandal on terrace, and passageway, entrance dome housed the Shehenai group. Flowers highlighted the premises. A gorgeous large chandelier replaced the fan, as it was winter.
Costs shot up. Tatta, bride’s gold jewellery, saris, suits, etc for in law … and Robbie Mamu forgot to buy the brides special Reception sari. Rani gifted Seta a pair of weighty golden Choor. Budget exceeds stopped Robbie, auxiliary expenditure. He could not afford further. Ranididi came to his rescue, in addition gold she spent a years saving, buying Seta an expensive Benarasi sari for the reception.
Mona clearly remembered accompanying her mother to Traders Assembly in Gariahat Market and choosing the best piece along with matching veil. They also ordered for floral jewelleries, crown, and garlands for the Wedding Night Phool Sajjya.
Mona’s Mamima looked like a fairy in her magnificent sari. Her golden ornaments glittered through the flowers she wore. Guests kept pouring in with multicoloured packets. She received them with a gesture Namaskar. Madhuri Mashie, pen and paper in hand sitting next to the bride arranged them neatly listing. Now and then, she powdered her nose asked Mona to fetch a glass of water for the bride to drink...
More flowers arrived from Seta’s house and the fragrance mingled tunes of Shehenai, boisterous guests, relatives calling out for Robbie, the perfect bridegroom in ethnic outfit.
Suddenly Seta burst into tears seeing her husband and her folks posing for group photographs.
“Why is she crying Mashie?” Mona puzzled.
“She is not crying they are tears of joy,” answered Seta’s younger sister Rita. “You too will have tears of joy when you grow up and marry.”
“Mamima please do not cry; I feel sad even when you cry in happiness” Mona kissed Seta dabbing her tears with her handkerchief. Seta naturally stopped.
Groups poured in and out escorted by Mr Jyotish Disso-Roy in batches to the terrace for dinner. White papers rolled over rows of long tables, on it laid dark green fresh banana leaf, cut into square plates. Earthen glass balanced at the corner finished with a lemon wedge and a teaspoon of salt on it. Wearing folds of red and white check aprons Robbie’s friends managed the services. Their big spoons dug into brass pails for mouth-watering savoury before heavy on guest plates.
A sumptuous menu of starters, fried aubergine, green leaves, luchi, moog dhal, mocha, followed by peas and cauliflower mix vegetables, kofta curry, Palau, fish kalian, mutton curry. Papaya chutney, papa-dam concluded with sweet curd, succulent cottage cheese ball in syrup and sweetmeats. Lips red by munching peppermint flavoured beetle leaf mouth freshener the guests left happy satisfied, blessing the newly weds generously.
Seta and Robbie had a baby girl in November. Mona blessed with a cousin sister Roma; felt God heard her prayers, as she had none and longed for one. Dado and Dido received the news with ecstasy, their Luxmi born. Jyotsna Disso-Roy waited eagerly for summer impatient to see her son’s daughter. That summer unluckily, they stranded with operation as Jyotsna slipped in the bathroom and hurt her knees. Instead of enjoying grandchildren, their time consumed with hospital doctors, and nurses. The old couple felt sad.
Jyotsna the grandmother recovered. She packed various gifts for kids waiting on the other side - a special gold chain for Roma. As usual in Park Circus unpacking goodies, grandmother distributed coconut cakes and other edibles, she made lovingly before coming. Explaining the customs acting fresh, and checking thoroughly every item, they carried grandfather disgusted complained and complained.
This time Rani decided to hold them back forever. She could not bear her mother suffering alone with fracture and father running about, no one to serve them a glass of water. “We shall not return,” announced Rani’s father much to his daughter’s surprise and relief. Overjoyed Rani informed her husband the first thing when Shashanka returned from his tour. There would be no more parting with teary eyes.
To her dismay, Rani foxed because her father decided to stay in Durgapore with his son. Her implore did not work. Shashanka advised Rani to let him go that it was natural for the father to choose his son for permanent residence ship. She ought to be happy at least her parents would remain forever in India. He managed to convince his emotional wife Rani.
The children’s school was to reopen. Rani’s parents were to leave for Durgapore. They reached them to the station; little did Rani know what would follow. In fact, who would?
Robbie received his parents at the station touching their feet and taking blessings.
“Ma Roma rushes through the house like a tornado; she keeps us on tenterhooks,” excitedly Robbie.
“I can hardly wait these few minutes, how is my Bouma?” enquired Jyotsna her son.
“She is a busy bee with Roma’s acrobatics!” Robbie answered.
“Baba hope you are comfortable in your seat” asked a concerned son because his father had a bottom operation two years back and needed snug sit.
Couple of days passed in bliss. Roma was Mr Jyotish Disso-Roy’s heart; both took to each other like anything. Her large eyes full of games, the old couple were in seventh heaven. Dado, Dido had to be around for everything Roma did. Seta was astonished at her daughter’s fast friendship with an unknown grandfather. “Blood is thicker than water,” reminded Robbie.
Enjoying lunchtime variety Seta served her parent in law rice, dhal vegetables and arranged fish curry in extra bowls. Prancing little Roma made herself comfy in grandfathers lap. Happily feeding her tiny pieces of fish both enjoyed a great time eating. Suddenly Seta noticed the on going. Rushing into the room snatched Roma away, thrashed the two year old as though she was a ten-year-old girl screaming hysterically for eating from the same plate.
Innocent baby wailed, no one could stop Seta. Jyotsna perplexed a shocked Mr Disso-Roy asked his daughter in law the reason for her rage that made her snatch away his granddaughter to beat her blue, black. Without answer, she kept beating the baby in frenzy as if her father in law had leprosy and the child was eating with such one…
There and then Mr Disso-Roy stopped lunch washed hand, along with his wife turned away from Durgapore forever, heartbroken tears rolling down his cheeks. He did not meet his other children either and returned to “Opar Bangla” for good.
Rani and Madhuri came to know of his departure from India only after he reached the other side. No detail leaked, only Mr Disso-Roy carried blame, left hotheaded. A loving man stoned. With all his offspring severed connections.
Much water flowed through the Ganges. Roma had another younger sister Shreya. In Calcutta Mona was in class eight, Middy in class six, Tiny in class four. Deprived of grandparents’ affection were the grandchildren. Messages from visitors, how much Dado Dido missed and loved the grandchildren gave them solace.
Suddenly a tragedy struck the Disso-Roy family. Lively Roma took ill. The mild fever turned bad to worse and the doctors at Durgapore could not diagnose. Calcutta doctors established her ailment as rheumatic heart. Before the best heart specialist, Dr Chetri could treat Roma she passed away in Durgapore, the train delayed to take her to Calcutta as all arrangements made with special permission never had to. Why did God snatch her away from Seta? Is possibly that she snatched her away from Dado? A chill through the spine set goose pimples!
Dado and Dido was lost in East Bengal war that gave the country independence.
