Author Information
Cinema
House Arrest
In the teeming neighbourhood the children mostly wedged to their own girly groups or boys.
Playing with dolls, miniature cook set or tea sets a favourite engagement of the little girls; they played hopscotch, hide and seek, crocodile and shore, I spy and variety.
Occasionally the brothers got chances to participate when their bossy sisters permitted. The tiny ones engaged in petty games of playing marbles, spinning tops, flying kites…
Elder boys were least interested, having other priorities -- football, cricket, sports, body building and so forth.
Middle of the lanes teens played street cricket. Arranging bricks on top of one another, throw a spin or googly, reciprocated skywards, swift runs or a catch out.
Batsman, bold ‘ouzzat’ youngsters’ raised hands shouting. Wicket keeper proud would pull his cap. Sonada, Babul, Jayada, heroic attractions.
Sometimes a car forced stop, move the bricks let go; nonchalant, patiently repeat arrangements heralding excitement they would concentrate square cuts, boundaries, over...
Kuku and Joy were close friends. They doted on each other. Then there were more, Tutu, Chico, Bonny, and Tulle, to name a few in the neighbourhood.
Every year in autumn the neighbourhood celebrated “Durga Puja” like all others, and this year the children planned to do something special.
The four day long event began with ethnic drumbeats. Strike of gongs on flat metal disc to make rhythm; sounds that matched tinkling of bells.
Florid scents, dry coconut husks burnt with sweet smelling gum frankincense-sprinkled; under decorated temporary temple-tent ‘Pandal’ set in various styles.
Bulbous yellow, orange marigold garlands around neck of deities, elephant head Ganesha with tiny mouse companion; Luxmi, along her owl with ewer of treasury.
Saraswati carrying sitar accompanied by ivory colour swan; bows-arrows sporting, Kartik on peacock perched.
Satin draped Mother Durga riding ferocious lion, the buffalo demon under her feet; stretched the children’s imagination to cloud nine; across cerulean-gold tropical autumn sky.
Adorning new attire kids’ seated on chairs, gazed through hours; observing in detail the ritual acts of the priests.
How they held their hands, what they did, taking petals, tulsi, wood apple leaves, distribute them on bronze and copper metal enfolds decorated with rice and fruits.
Take water with a tiny copper elongated ethnic spoon, from another little larger copper elongated one and pour it on pitcher. On it drawn an outline of swastika from oil and vermillion mix paste.
Tucked in pitcher, spread mango leaves smeared crimson each; a robust green coconut gracefully balanced; held toppings as the priest kept adding on to it.
Making square enclosure chanting prayers, burning sandalwood to light holy fire; oil lamps and camphor; the priests performed more rituals.
Evening’s continued their chants, Arati with brass oil lamps, ethnic fans. Smokes coiled earthen cups.
Gestured fingers, holding sacred thread, yogic mantras on lips. Sounds of conch mixed melody lilting devotion from worshippers.
Between long stretches of sittings children would pause, buy candy sugar, spicy puffed-rice mix, topped with fresh coconuts pieces masala muri, chubby but crispy round phucka with potato fillings dipped in tangy tamarind sauce; mouth watering chat, ghoogni.
‘Kinder heart kinder knees’ recollecting; Joy remembered the spanking for going to see a film on Durga Puja Day without her ma’s permission which had caused, loss of enjoyment the next day.
Tutu, Chico approached Kuku and Joy with their unusual idea. To the new Puja Release “Surjayatapa” matinee show, all by themselves; they would take the tram reach Prachi, cinema hall.
Joy became nervous. However Kuku gave her courage saying no one would know thinking they were in the Puja tents.
From the tram Joy alighted ashen, seeing her cousin Santos, who grabbed at her hands straight. He was sent by mummy to search her return.
Santos gathered from the other children in the Puja tents ‘Pandal’ of their whereabouts and; at the tram stop awaited arrival for his cousin Joy and the rest.
He questioned “How dare you go to see a picture without permission or an escort?” tugging her lightly.
“Sorry Santos-dada, please do not tell ma; I shall never do it again” pleaded Joy
“Never do or sorry will not work because ‘Jethima’ is furious” replied Santos throwing cold water on her hopes.
Joy’s father and Santos’s father were brothers. Joy’s father older; Santos called his uncle ‘Jetha’ thus his wife was aunt ‘Jethima.’ A special term in addressing relatives; a typical Indian phenomenon; evergreen fashion for keeps was never ever to fade?
Feeling pity he said, “Perhaps by now Chico’s mother must have told her which means I will be a liar if I conceal facts from Jethima” Santos looked helpless.
“Is ma really very cross?” asked Joy anxiously.
“She is ready with a ruler to welcome you.” Santo’s confirmed Joy’s fear.
Joy had promised her mother never to repeat such irresponsibility ever again. She held word by word. She knew her mistake.
Kuku got an extra dose from her parents for doing the same; and for the audacity of tempting Joy in addition. Worst were faced by Tutu and Chico for dragging the juniors into their plans.
After coming to know the incident the elder siblings opined; Tutu and Chico were big enough to manage by trams without adult escorts. Surely but were not ignorant of kidnappers prowling the roads on festival days.
They further added salt to their wounds by describing how prowlers carried away children inside sacks tricking through and through.
Scary to imagine felt the children. They would never try again.
They all paid a price by going through ‘house arrest’ the next day. Be indoors on a Puja day was a great loss for the girls.
It was such a lesson for them that later even in college all strictly adhered to no bunking classes, shirking duties for movies; film shows only on weekends and holidays.
