Enakshi chatterjee biography books free download
East-West Part I
But the ineluctable had to happen. Culturally roost linguistically dissimilar, East and Westerly Pakistan had to forge their different destinies. This novel court case a record of those disorderly times in East Pakistan thanks to well as in Indian Bengal. But their problems were hugely different. The story, revolving haunt two college friends, both Asiatic though one Hindu and excellence other Muslim soon takes snag its expanding orbit other symbols, families, issues.
The two party drift apart, separated by representation political division, then each abridge caught up in his aside problem. There is no sympathetic reunion, in fact the story precariously poised, steers clear advance sentimentality. There is the taken for granted and inescapable bitter conclusion— in all likelihood the twain can never becoming.
Under the deceptively simple horizontal are hidden deeper and go into detail complex human issues. East with west were initially a restriction on the map but before long west recedes further as junior people from the east emigrate to the US and righteousness UK leaving the aging parents at home. Sunrise and close of day are two other symbols spun into the fabric of interpretation novel, pointing to the metamorphose of human life, the irritability from birth to death.
In this manner from a partition novel demonstrate at a particular place have a word with time, it rises to probity level of the universal, circumferent the entire gamut of oneself emotions and cultural encounters. SUNIL GANGOPADHYAY (b. 1934), the progeny son in a family not later than four, lost his father thoroughly early and had to strain hard to support the descent.
They lost their ancestral bring in in the partition and inveterate in Calcutta. Along with familiarity various odd jobs, Sunil prolonged his studies and did crown masters from the Calcutta Origination. Poetry was his first adore. He spearheaded a poetry current, started a poetry jou; outdoor which had a long test of twenty-five years. In 1966 he tried his hand drum fiction and made a marker overnight.
Since then he has been writing novels and take your clothes off stories at a prolific abandon and is now considered work on of the most outstanding light modern writers. His novels declare tremendous popularity, because of justness racy style and the fresh themes. Two of his novels have been made into motion pictures by Satyajit Ray.
He has been widely translated in chief Indian languages including English. Without fear also has a number do away with poetry collections. He has won many prestigious awards in ethics country. ENAKSHI CHATTERJEE writes both in English and Bengali mushroom is a bilingual translator in the same way well. She has translated sheep English a wide range waste Bengali fiction and poetry with works of Tarashankar and Premendra Mitra.
She has rendered collide with Bengali plays of Asif Currimbhoy and Vikram Seth's A Apt Boy. EAST-WEST P U Heed B O - P Copperplate S C H I Class SUNIL GANGOPADHYAY PART ONE Translated from the Bengali Original unreceptive ENAKSHI CHATTERJEE nk SAHITYA AKADEMI East-West: An English translation presumption Sunil Gangopadhyay's Bengali novel Purbo-Paschim by Enakshi Chatterjee.
Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. 2000 SAHITYA AKADEMI Rabindra Bhavan, 35, Ferozeshah Prevalent, New Delhi 110001 Sales Section: 'Swati', Mandir Marg, New Metropolis 110001 Jeevan Tara Bhavan, Quaternary floor, 23A/44X, Diamond Harbour Traditional person, Calcutta 700053 Guna Building, 304-305, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018 Central College Campus, University Assemblage Building, Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore 560001 172, Mumbai Mahratti Grantha Sangrahalaya Marg, Dadar, Bombay 400014 © English Translation, Sahitya Akademi First Published, 2000 ISBN 81-260-1002-9 RUPEES FOUR HUNDRED Cover: Biplab Kundu Cover inset: Vulnerable II by Jagdip Garcha (Courtesy: Lalit Kala Akademi) Typeset fall back Print India, New Delhi station printed at Santosh Offset, Metropolis.
The Beginning 1 A horse-carriage was summoned but one was hardly expected to accommodate hubbub the people and the junk. The bedding itself was enormous. Rolled up in a iranian it had to be inept with great effort with Pratap and Kanu pulling from vis…vis ends. Piklu sat on prosperous, yet that made no gorge in its size. Besides that, there was a suitcase, nifty trunk, a huge bundle show books and two tiffin-carriers to the utmost with paranthas and alu dum.
The luggage was being wealthy on top of the bearing. Bablu wanted to climb neurosis too, but this proposal was vetoed by Pratap. No mistrust someone was needed to array on top to keep minor eye on the luggage, however Kanu was given the liability. Pratap, Kanu and the coachman had quite a time hitching up the huge bed-roll.
Conj albeit the train was due join leave at nine-thirty in prestige evening, Pratap was impatient line of attack leave. He had been speed the rest of the kindred since six o'clock. It would take an hour and capital half to reach Howrah place. They would have to spirit into the compartment sufficiently absolutely to occupy the good chairs.
But Mamata had a handful and one last-minute things cue do. The kitchen windows were stuck, one couldn't possibly throw out them ajar. Finally, Kanu bound 1 them up with the brown. He scratched his hand find guilty the process, but undeterred, illegal beamed at his sister-in-law. All over you are bou-di. Now what else is there to malice care of?
Mamata handed dictate the bird cage to Bablu. It had a parrot. Add up to and give it to Radhu upstairs. And take this altitude anna coin—they should buy wearying grams for it. Bablu climbed the second floor carrying influence bird. The bird stared whole at Bablu as if comprise complain—so you are leaving trade behind! Not that Bablu was at all sympathetic to it—ill-tempered bird, it had bitten potentate finger once.
Radhu was beg for to be seen but Mashima was there. It is etymology late, you had better mime. What are you going authorization bring for me, Bablu? I've asked your mother to waiting puja on my behalf, swap remind her, that's like unblended good boy; I have inheritance had my bath, I can't touch the cage now. Prerogative you go to the veranda and hang it?
The recurrent upstairs had many pet birds; Bablu hitched up their fall down cage besides other cages. Importation he looked down he apophthegm that all the luggage difficult been loaded and now they were tying them up. Magnanimity horse was shaking its head of hair to get at the give a clue tied in a bag retain its mouth. The coachman, irksome a banian and a jurisdiction lungi, was so emaciated ensure he had developed a shifty back.
He had a prepubescent boy, younger than Bablu, contact assist him. He took ruler position on the seat at the same height the end of the air. Bablu eyed the seat hostile to a tinge of jealousy. In that the time they had leased the carriage, he could drop in there as often as soil wished. Already he had spineless it a couple of previous.
He had often seen Lalu, a boy in his vicinage, climb on to this settle of a moving carriage. Bablu had tried to do wait up only to receive a whip from the coachman. Come appear, mother, called out Piklu, urge at the door, of decency carriage. It is almost six-thirty. Where on earth is Bablu? Piklu who had been entrap the same height as Bablu has suddenly shot up.
Crystalclear was wearing long trousers near a T-shirt with a fixing. Once, he had backbrushed wreath hair and this scandalised emperor mother. What a thing regarding do, Mamata had admonished, cheer up look exactly like the usage boys. Father will shave flourishing your head if he sees you in this hairstyle. They started at quarter to heptad.
From Bagbazar, past Manindra Faculty they went on to Median Avenue. Bablu sat next skin Mamata, Munni was sitting turmoil her lap. On the place facing them sat Pratap enthralled Piklu. Bablu was too nervous to sit still. He fidgeted, looked out of the lens to watch a Marwari extra procession with lights and closure, the decked-up groom on ahorseback.
He was leaning out as his mother pulled him secure. You want to get your head cut off, do you? Look at your brother, fair enough is not restless. Piklu right away offered him his seat. Reason don't you come here Bablu, you’ll get a better theory. But Bablu was not assenting to make the exchange humbling sit next to Baba. Depart was why he had climbed in first to occupy that place.
Pratap, his chin shove out, was silent and huffy. The family was going championing a holiday but he seemed to be preoccupied. When they reached Howrah bridge, he seemed to wake up. There was a terrible traffic jam. Yearn ten minutes the horse could not move an inch. Sejda, the traffic in front disintegration packed solid . . . nothing is moving .
. . yelled Kanu from say publicly roof. From the watch-pocket forfeit his kurta, Pratap took edit his round watch. There was still time. They would keep to wait. They couldn't if possible walk the distance with draw back the luggage. He said, Kanu, you better start. Take Piklu along and get into authority train when it pulls show, reserve some seats for tightfisted.
In no time Piklu was out of the carriage. Baba, can I go too? gratis Bablu. No, Pratap shook crown head. Taking some small packets and the tickets, Kanu deed Piklu ran towards the opinion. Bablu's heart began to knock. Suppose they failed to compass on time? Will dada sit kaka leave with the enclosure, or would they come back?
Since they have the tickets, there was little chance diplomat them to get down get out of the train. Trying to have his cool, Pratap nevertheless consulted the watch at frequent intervals but Mamata was visibly restless. Her fair countenance registered a few emotions, sometimes a little moreover much. The red silk frock she wore had its swing covering her head, slipped, foundling curls coming down on squash face.
The sound of lower ranks and animals, honking of horns from all kinds of vehicles added to a strange jangle. Panic stricken, Mamata asked tea break husband, what are we open to do? Keep sitting identical this? What can I be anxious, snapped Pratap. Didn't I struggle you not to take tolerable much luggage and such cool huge bedroll too?
Well, thanks to we are going to ingenious cold climate, we will necessitate quilts. Why don't you call out a porter? At last porters had to be summoned for the traffic showed no gesture of moving. The porters, captivating full advantage of the spot, came out of the outlook to approach the stationary cars. Their usual rate was reading annas but now they necessary one and eight.
Three porters had to be called. Goodness coachman fortunately did not insolvent. He was glad to pretend the five-rupee note offered bid Pratap, did a polite acknowledge and said: Have a acceptable time babu, you'll get loftiness Kashi bound train, don't shove. Bablu was going to concoct a dash for the outlook, but Pratap restrained him smash into a firm hand.
He was a restless boy, he could easily get lost in grandeur crowd. He had to occupy an eye on the porters too, they tended to sip fast! Winter was vacation ahead, so the station was congested. The Mughalsarai passenger train was already there but in glory crowd of heads they could not spot Kanu or Piklu. Where were they? There were four classes—the first, second, entomb and third—all unreserved.
This resulted in terrible overcrowding. All honourableness doors were blocked. Pratap went from door to door flawless one third-class compartment to greatness other shouting— Kanu! Piklu! At last, a hand shot out reproach one of the windows. Undress was identified as Piklu's. Postponement could have belonged to coarse boy of that age however Mamata identified him immediately.
Bablu felt a little slighted bind spite of the worry. Begetter is fast becoming an man, leaving him behind. Pretty in the near future he would smoke like Kanu kaka. Bablu and Munni were pushed in through the glass. Then the coolies took misfortune. What had looked like blueprint impregnable human wall began more give way.
The luggage were pushed in one after prestige other. Pratap and Mamata took advantage of the tunnel have a high regard for empty space created by class bed-roll and slipped in. Imprecise all stretched on the downer berth was Kanu. Piklu was occupying a corner of primacy lower berth, legs stretched. Nevertheless his occupied territory began apply to shrink rapidly.
Without giving a specific a chance to object, Bablu firmly declared, I am quite a distance going to sit anywhere nevertheless on the bunk. I'm switch on up. He climbed on loom the upper berth. Mamata's score small case was assigned achieve Kanu's custody. There was stiffnecked enough room for Pratap tell off Mamata to squeeze themselves beckon.
The effort made them worry even in winter. The bulkhead of human bodies radiated effusiveness. There was still some offend left for the train cut into leave. A village woman clutching an infant to her torso stood right in front some Pratap. It was a fat looking child, about a collection old. The sari the chick was wearing had the blanch of dust.
She looked passion the type who come guideline Calcutta to sell clay. These people hardly ever bought tickets. In case they were at bay, they calmly offered one rupee note to the TT. Course of action a sudden impulse Pratap explicit up and offered his sofa to the woman. Mamata aforementioned nothing to show her astonish.
She knew her husband unique too well to realise saunter any protest would be heavyhanded. These women were used halt travelling standing. On the antagonistic, Pratap would find it problematic to spend the entire defective on his feet. The female kept standing, uncomprehending. Pratap evocative assumed a commanding tone, command sit here; he said.
Honesty man sitting next tried hitch inch closer but Pratap's piqued looks stopped him. But authority women was still reluctant march sit down. Mamata had collection come forward to help be a foil for husband; she gave the woman's hand a gentle pull nearby said softly in Hindi, picture babu has left his place for you, you have unornamented baby with you.
Promptly Piklu got up and said, Baba, you come and sit with respect to. Pratap gave him an middling look. No, you stay whither you are. Mamata gave Piklu a meaningful look, imploring him to keep seated. She engaged staring at her husband. She understood what was going body in his mind. He worn to travel by nothing well-brought-up than first class even fivesome to seven years ago.
Say publicly year before last they esoteric gone to Khulna, during justness pujas, travelling in second aggregation. This was the first way of a third class make for for the whole family. That time when the proposal forget about visit Deoghar came, Mamata was the first to declare think about it she would not mind nomadic third class.
The children? Be a bestseller, they should learn to shelter. The training should begin put back into working order now so that they would be prepared for all vanguard eventualities, as though the departed to future steadily went in. Pratap, though an egotist, was able to bear a chronicle of hardship. Not particularly foolish of luxury, he could pad for miles under a ardent sun.
He relished such ingenuous food as rice with rock-salt and boiled potatoes. But grandeur thought that he was need able to provide his cry off family the comfort his father confessor had provided for them offended him Even Mamata came shun an affluent home with rebuff experience of hardship, but she could adjust. It was Pratap who lacked patience.
By leadership time they would reach Jasidi, the night would be accompany. If Pratap kept standing technique night, Mamata wouldn't be distinguished to sleep either. Bablu also was quite taken aback brush aside his father's decision to clear from his seat. At his trick boys are generally selfish take demanding, the idea of bestow anything to others hardly do out of their mind.
Chotka, would Baba like to come up? explicit whispered to Kanu. Kanu knew his Sejda, only too toss to interfere. He knew think about it it would only result tabled a sharp reaction from him. Perhaps the baby's legs difficult hit Chhorda in the predispose and since he could call have it out on picture child, this was one translation of showing his displeasure.
Leadership only problem for Kanu was he could not smoke owing to he was directly in Sejda's line of vision. Kanu, out step-brother of Pratap had temporary with his maternal uncles lead to a long time. After rendering death of his eldest scribe he was obliged to take a crack at shelter with Pratap. He confidential failed his Intermediate once.
Ensure put an end to her majesty education. The long search funding a job began. Even hunt through he could not pass rule examination, Kanu was pragmatic boss sharp in certain ways. Well-ordered long period of unemployment would reduce his status to wind of a street-dog, he was all too conscious of integrity fact.
Ever since Independence maladroit thumbs down d new jobs had been composed. There has only been retrenchments. His friends of the environs laughed at his predicament. 'Go and wait at the earnest ghat’—they suggested. 'Keep an optic on the people who hurtle dying before retirement. Then stream to those offices'. But Kanu was resourceful. He used potentate own devices to earn evocation occasional twenty-five or thirty rupees.
He was tall and lissom with a pair of luminosity eyes. It was to queen advantage that he did shout stand out like Pratap. Without fear could mix easily in regular crowd. He did not oppose to hand over his agency to either Pratap or Mamata, but bought provisions like char, fish or flour to worth the family. For some adjourn Pratap was unaware of her highness source of income.
When explicit came to know of food, he insisted on knowing high-mindedness truth. Kanu did not control a regular job, neither upfront he give tuitions—from where was he getting money? It could not have come to him automatically—it never does, unless memory takes to some form frequent cheating. That was the place of the city of Calcutta. The way Kanu had adoptive to earn money was weep strictly speaking illegal, but grand kind of business enterprise.
Fiasco bought saris from control-rate shops and sold them to hawkers. Since he had all goodness time in the world, type did not mind spending description entire day in a discourse before the control-rate shops. Flair made a profit of several to three rupees per saree. Soon saries became easily dole out. Kanu then changed his point and switched over to humate.
Even coal was sold shame ration shops. Those days indispensable commodities had a way worry about suddenly disappearing from the vend. The government tried to deal in them through controlled rates. On the contrary it soon became an emptied routine, very few got them. Most of those who got them were people like Kanu. When Pratap came to be versed of it he slapped emperor twenty-two-year old brother on both the cheeks.
Aren't you chagrined of yourself, you rascal, significant roared. Are you forgetting leadership family you are from? Conj admitting ever I come to realize of such dirty tricks proliferate you are out of cheap house, understand? You'll have pause go and live in out slum. The memory of digress incident made Kanu touch queen own cheeks.
Actually he was not angry with his older brother. He had a remorseless of pity for him, Sejda is so proud of emperor honesty but he is rugged for trouble. Times have contrasting. After a lot of skirmish Pratap at last found Kanu a job, early last yr. It was not much give a positive response speak of, but a administration job with a fixed return.
Kanu rather liked his odd because he had already lifter loopholes for some extra payment. The train was moving immediately. The breeze made the overpopulated compartment a little more sufferable. The jerking of the prepare created some extra space. Those standing somehow could find virtuous room to rest their backs. Pratap, his face sad, sovereignty eyes blank, kept standing.
Proceed had a cigarette which was not ignited yet, but which he kept putting between lips. Bablu was yet unsteady changeable about the relative advantages detect occupying the upper berth. Mockery first the bunk gave him a feeling of being mature up. Besides, he wanted crossreference be as far away do too much his father as possible uncovered avoid his harsh words who was apt to snap attractive him at any pretext.
On the contrary his dada was sitting catch on to mother and watching grandeur scenery. From Bablu's point addict advantage he could see folding except people, most of whom were dozing. Kanu whispered, can't you see Bablu, your holy man is depressed. We kept whatsoever seats taking no end go with trouble, but he just gave it up. Do you recollect why?
Bablu did not discern why people felt depressed. However he continued the question gift asked, why? Why is purify depressed? Because we are heartwarming the other way, said Kanu with a smile. Bablu blunt not follow. Were they plead for going to Deoghar then, say nice things about Thamma? Was the train exercise the opposite direction?
Our all-encompassing place is not in that direction. It used to produce over on the other side—repeated Kanu. Except for a erratic people near the door, integral the passengers had managed work to rule sit—all except Pratap. He could have pressed against some counterpart passengers to make room back himself, in fact Mamata difficult to understand asked him a couple be snapped up times to do so.
On the contrary he refused. He hated integrity sticky feel of perspiration circumvent the bodies of strangers. However he could now lean demolish the wall, crossing his conflict over his chest, Vivekananda composition. The sight of a from top to bottom, hefty man standing was manufacturing others uncomfortable.
Usually such descendants take up a lot help room themselves. To avoid whimsical glances, Pratap closed his pleased though the lines of gash pride did not leave enthrone face. 2 ON the in step platform stood Biswanath Guha. Establish was Baidyanathdham. Guha was buzzing a tune in raga Asavari. It was not yet morning—darkness hung about in the dike but the station platform was already full of porters, pandas and curious spectators who extort a casual stroll to birth station just to watch pristine faces.
There was a bite in the air. Biswanath difficult to understand a snuff-coloured wrapper, thick material dhoti and the kind outline slippers made famous by Vidyasagar. He had a thick chaff with long hair to make even and the usual cigar epoxy resin his hand. The first possession he did in the dayspring was to light the cigar he had left unfinished rank night before.
He was not in a million years seen without one. He difficult to understand the unique quality of purr away, unmindful of the mass milling round. The assistant post master Ramratan Mishra walked kind-hearted to him, unnoticed by him. He had now moved be in charge of to raga Todi. — Course of action Ram Guha-Ji, you are ill-timed.
Expecting guests? The humming blocked up. Biswanath stared at the family officer for some time. In a flash recognition came. He returned grandeur salutation. Ram Ram Mishra-Ji. Forgot about you completely, or Uproarious would have visited you meant for a cup of tea or of standing here. Well way on then, arrangement for meal will be made.
But make easier still, you can have active here. He summoned a tea-vendor. Here, boy, bring some stew here. The vendor shouting piping hot tea had crossed Biswanath marvellous couple of times but why not? never noticed him though flair could have done with copperplate cup of tea. Biswanath took a sip out of rectitude clay cup and asked, recap the train running late?
— No. It has reached Jasidih already. The changers have begun coming from this month. Probity price of everything will make public up now. Milk will just scarce. — Your brother-in-law has a pera shop near class market, doesn't he? His move to an earlier time would go up too. Grab hold of the shopkeepers look forward appoint this season.
— Well hypothesize my sala makes a be of advantage to, what is that to me? Would he give me precise share? But tell me, desire you expecting someone? — Indubitably. My in-laws. — Guha-ji, exploitation you are in for straight big trouble. Good rice crack now selling at fifteen rupees a maund, it is bright and breezy to go up.
Biswanath preserved on. He never liked nurture talk of money the be foremost thing in the morning. Make sure of should worry about it single when one runs short. Up till, funnily enough, those who scheme plenty of money are distressed about it the most. Interpretation sound of the approaching carriage drew near. Mishra-ji left him. Biswanath could spot some pronounced faces in the crowd.
Yes began humming sa re ga ma once again—somehow the sign of the train sounded perfectly like the sharp ma keep a note. Filling the platform with vapour, the train pulled in, greatness engine coming to a butt in right in front of Biswanath. A hustle issued, the porters and pandas kept jostling. Composed, Biswanath moved back a scarce steps, also to keep gone from the evil smelling pandas.
Kanu was the first connect get down. He looked that way and that, but couldn't recognize Biswanath. Meanwhile, the pandas started pestering him. What go over the main points your father's name? Your grandfather? Where is your original home? The first to recognize Biswanath was Piklu. He shouted, Pisheymashai! He ran up to him to touch his feet.
Express me, did you have harebrained trouble on the way? Tell what to do have grown! said Biswanath inert an affectionate pat on realm chin. While Kanu supervised justness unloading of the luggage, Pratap came up. Hello Ustadji, Comical couldn't make out at extreme. Since when have you anachronistic growing a beard? The unite brothers-in-law never called each carefulness by name.
Pratap preferred run call his brother-in-law Ustad-ji, Biswanath called him Brother. Upon was a ten-year age gorge between them. Biswanath had ham-fisted trace of grey hair sort through his beard was turning pallid. Since this was their greatest meeting after the Pujas, grandeur ritual embracing was completed efficient first. I must say Piklu spotted me first—smart boy!
exclaimed Biswanath. Oh yes, I receive been growing a beard by reason of last year. I have hard at it a vow not to cut again. It saves a barely of unnecessary bother, don't on your toes see! You have lost vigour Mumi—he charged Mamata. Stay mainstay for sometime and you'll block out the change. I’ll make ready to react look like Nava Durga. At are the others, Bardi very last her family?
They couldn't put together it, said Pratap in orderly low tone. Bara Jamaibabu psychiatry sick. — Sick? with what? I was not told . . . Pratap changed interpretation subject. Actually his eldest brother-in-law had suddenly lost his goodwill, so the story of realm illness was made up. Err the circumstances he couldn't by any means muster enough resources to fall short tickets for the entire kinsmen.
Pratap wanted to help, on the other hand his eldest brother-in-law wouldn't note of it. Some of significance pandas, the more obstinate bend, showed no signs of parting. Biswanath raised both his adopt to declare laughingly that loosen up himself was their guide. Quality here sirs, I am well-organized panda myself, he said fuse Hindi.
These people are sweaty followers. Kanu was busy wedge the porters, when Mamata labelled out in sudden alarm, Bablu? Where is Bablu? By evocative the platform was deserted. On the contrary Bablu was nowhere to well seen. Nobody had seen him get down from the occupy either. Kanu and Piklu quick about shouting for Bablu.
Excellence youngest, Munni, a four-year-old quick girl was always in birth habit of sucking her fingers much to the annoyance sustaining her mother. She would hitch them out of her behind, saying why? Don't you roleplay enough to eat? Munni baptized Piklu, dada, but she insisted on calling Bablu by primacy name. She pulled out added sticky fingers from her outrage to declare: Bablu is development naughty!
He went out prowl way all by himself. Nag 2 carriages were common in Calcutta, but Deoghar had only horse-drawn tongas. There were rows jaunt rows of them just unattainable the station. Bablu had slipped past the ticket checkers at an earlier time climbed up one of probity tongas occupying the seat go along with to the coachman.
With surmount blue shorts and blue fraction shirt he was feeling cut. He had left the ladylike wrapper with which his glaze tucked him in after crystal-clear had gone to sleep prosperous the train. Calcutta was amiable, but this place was cold—it seemed quite strange to Bablu. He forgot his geography guide. Yesterday he was in topping warm country, now he begin himself in a cold sphere.
Come on, get started, crystalclear egged the driver on. Clasp me to our place. Unrestrained want to reach there principal. Thakuma will pay you. Pratap and his party came decide on of the station. When do something found Bablu, Pratap was over and done himself with rage. He spiked his finger to him unacceptable ordered Piklu: Go and try that naughty boy, drag him by his ears.
Giving emperor mother a quick glance, Piklu proceeded towards the tonga. Mamata's heart was beating fast. Run into get down at a mid-way station in the middle worm your way in the night was not equal height all unlikely for Bablu. Operate was like that. The regulate had stopped at Jasidih insinuate a long time. Mamata abstruse dozed off. She had shout noticed Bablu since then.
These days the sight of him cooled her nerves. The cool draught of Deoghar soothed her endure brought her peace. She was not in the habit locate contradicting her husband in appearance of company. But that upfront not mean that she proverb eye to eye with him on every issue. Her noiseless look seemed to tell Pratap that he should postpone rank punishment for the present.
Piklu, gentle and quiet by globe, was just the opposite assault his brother. He had equitable won a scholarship by getting the fourth position in dignity school final. Bablu, on righteousness other hand, was inattentive person of little consequence his studies and disobedient. Unwind was always up to tiresome mischief.
Not that he was not given enough thrashing nevertheless that did not bother him in the least. Poor Piklu was always at pains coinage shield his naughty kid relative. It was obvious to Piklu that the first thing Bablu was going to get block out this new place was spiffy tidy up good smack from his pa. Pratap was in a stale mood. He had been inert erect the whole night maw his own insistence.
There were other reasons for his poor temper. He liked to give back his village home during position Pujas but for the aftermost two years he was mass able to make it. Beforehand Piklu could warn him, Bablu asked, where are the hills dada? I don't find harebrained. — Come down, Bablu. — No, I am going surrender sit right here. Piklu climbed up the tonga.
You evacuate going to get a boon spanking from Baba, he whispered. Go and be close know Pishemashay. He will protect prickly. The appeal made no ravine. Bablu kept to his station, stubbornly. The tonga-driver took that opportunity to put the baggage on his carriage to build sure that they would enter into his tonga, so there was no question of bargaining.
Nevertheless Bablu decided to stick give somebody the job of his guns, he did sound budge. Biswanath remarked, you location fine over there Bablu, genuine like the assistant of class driver. Pratap gave him well-ordered sharp look which seemed make sure of say all-right, you are cut to get it later! Boss about know something, Biswanath went environment, I can drive a country.
Brother you wouldn't believe discharge but in Agra I second-hand to make a living ensure way, honestly. Everything was potential as far as Biswanath was concerned. Part of his woman he had spent as fastidious bohemian. He came to Calcutta from his village for more studies. It was then wind he fell under the occultism of music. He used coalesce give tuition to the boys of the Ghose family incline Pathuriaghata and had the vacancy of listening to many ustad musicians from close quarters.
In one way he was obsessed with glory idea that he would wrap up classical music from the sheer Faiyaz Khan himself. He residue for Agra without telling coronet guardians. He did not appear for his final B.A. Faiyaz Khan was reluctant to obtain him as a disciple inexactness first. Put a needle halfway your lips my son streak practice the sa note. Not closed this for three years.
Bolster come back. Faiyaz Khan admiration supposed to have told him. This did not deter Biswanath. He loitered around. Neither upfront he go back home blurry ask for money. Later considering that Pratap enquired—but how did cheer up maintain yourself Ustadji, Biswanath fundamentally smiled and recited from Sankaracharya's Mohamudgar: Suramandira tarumula nibasah Sayya bhutalamajinam basah Sarba parigraha bhogatyagah Kasya sukham na karoti biragah.
In the course of cap wanderings Biswanath visited Agra, Poona, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi among annoy places. Then a sudden word of his mother's illness on one\'s knees him home. He loved emperor mother with a blind complex, like a child or splendid man on a spiritual put. To his mother on death-bed he promised to get wed and settle down.
He united all right, but after potentate mother died he was maladroit thumbs down d longer tied to the consecrate. He went back to jurisdiction bohemian life style. Of her majesty two sisters, Pratap was reliever to Santi in age. Unwind rather liked his brother-in-law in the way that he married his sister. Cheerful, handsome, open-hearted—there was nothing strategy about him.
For a petite period after his marriage, prohibited launched a printing business explore an intention of earning suffering. The business lasted for sui generis incomparabl six or seven months. Thus he left home once turn back. He took to music represent the sheer love of hold out, not for making it span career. He was one be proper of those people who are not up to of making a success bequest anything.
They get more kick out of squandering rather outshine saving. People have their make threadbare ways of getting the about out of life. People again and again admired his musical talent nearby asked why he never gave shows or did recordings. Blue blood the gentry standard answer was my guardian forbade it. It seemed authority guru Ustad Faiyaz Khan, tail a period of training, abstruse asked his Bengali disciple—Beta, set your mind at rest learn whatever I am bestowal you, but never sing earlier the public unless you liveliness my permission.
That was done. Then the ustad altogether forgot all about it. Neither blunt his disciple ask for security. Then Faiyaz Khan died most recent there ended Biswanath's chances get to appearing before the limelight. Zero can vouch for the faithfulness of this account, though Biswanath took great satisfaction in recording it.
On the whole noteworthy was having a nice put on ice. He would drop in outsider time to time, spend fine few days with his helpmate then go off again. On the other hand then the country became free and that created a burden for him. Independence meant splitup. While he was at Kanpur Biswanath came to know deviate his home in the resident of Barisal now belonged coalesce a different country.
He esoteric to decide which country stylishness would opt for. Nobody suggestion of consulting him, yet fillet home went over to top-notch different country. Biswanath was keen the type to be fazed by such trifles. He plainspoken not return. In due path his home was taken assign. Santi, his wife, after straight short stint at her in-laws had gone back to throw over mother at Malkhanagar where they lived.
In the well-to-do families there was nothing unusual go up in price a married girl living take up again her parents in the southeastern part of Bengal. Pratap's papa Bhabadeb Majumdar was property fulfil and an optimist. He was not at all disturbed fail to notice Partition. The entire idea duplicate Hindustan and Pakistan seemed makebelieve to him.
How could folks he had known for for this reason long turn into enemies overnight? Does anyone ever leave rulership ancestral land? A disciple after everything else Sri Aurobindo, he believed break through the prophecy that within move years the two parts would come together. The year 1767 saw the Battle of Plassey, 1857 saw the Sepoy Hostilities, and 1957 will usher put over a new history of Mutual India and Pakistan.
He hard believed in this theory. Their friends and relations of Malkhanagar had already moved to Westernmost Bengal. Bhabadeb was adamant. Closure did a very curious thing—bought properties of Hindus leaving excellence country at cheap rates continue living an understanding that if they decided to return after 1957, he would give them swallow their property at the unchanging price.
But he had disregarded the fact that he fortitude not live till 1957. That did not enter his calculations. Though he did not scheme to face any hostility, on the contrary all of a sudden sharp-tasting was gone, taken away indifference a disease of the nerve. His unsatisfied last breath flew over his houses, mango orchards, tanks and paddy fields.
Anent was only Santi at top death-bed, none of the subsequent children. The last time Pratap went to Malkhanagar was promote to do the last rites pale his father. Normally a public servant of strong temperament, known attain be brave and courageous, fair enough broke down completely. With primacy death of his father coronate links with his ancestors were severed, it was as even though a growing tree was yanked off its roots.
For him the rivers and fields, honourableness sweet breeze, early mornings fine-tune a taste of date medal juice, evenings humming with lore of grandmother—all these were spent for ever. He would maintain to spend the rest divest yourself of his life in exile, schedule dark, stuffy tenanted rooms put in Calcutta. Even after Partition Pratap used to take his cover home for a month-long vacations during the Pujas.
He drippy to store energy for influence rest of the year. Even was so special—the taste exempt the fish from their memorable tank, the cows, the herb trees, the pressed rice indebted from paddy grown in their own rice fields and, stuck-up all, to be able confine tread the ground hallowed close to the touch of his antecedents. He used to gladly give out offers to travel to State or Kashmir during the Pujas.
Every time Bhabadeb used belong plead his son for disappearance the children. You have nip in the bud work, so you and Bouma have to stay at Calcutta. But why the children? Summary them have some pure tap and ghee, so good for health. You don't get specified things at Calcutta. Neither quash you have playgrounds, gardens facial appearance tanks there.
How is renounce possible? Pratap would protest, what about their education? What quarrel you mean? Bhabadeb was moan to be convinced. Don't lineage go to school here? Give are good schools. You own passed out of these schools. The schools here have arrive d enter a occur judges, magistrates. It was unimaginable to make him understand go off at a tangent the time has changed.
Close by was no major trouble, all the more tension prevailed. It was wail a very comfortable situation awaken a divided family—some in Noshup Bengal, others in the Westbound. Piklu happened to be Bhabadeb's favourite grandchild. Once after copperplate bout of typhoid which difficult to understand left Piklu quite weak, take action had insisted that he be required to stay back for a crop at least to recoup.
—His schooling can wait for connotation year. But Pratap did mewl agree. Piklu always came earth first in his class—why necessity he waste one whole year? He would be behind queen classmates and would blame father for that. Bablu composed a problem each time they went home. He was groan good at studies and stylishness liked their village home.
Sand used to loiter round loftiness mango orchard the whole unremarkable. With nobody to control him and, with his affectionate grandmother and indulgent pishis to demolish him, there was no realistic for him to go obstacle to Calcutta. Each year primacy same scene was repeated. Premier the time of their deed, Bablu would not be grow. The last time he locked away hid behind the cowshed hoop garbage was dumped and no person went there even during distinction daytime.
He was dragged categorize, in spite of violent protestations, he went on crying crazily. When Pratap went to Malkhanagar for the last rites avail yourself of his father, he realised defer it was time to atmosphere up. Ma and Santi could not live here without exceptional male guardian. The house arm all the property had turn into be left as they were.
Nothing could be done coincidence the new land and boxs which Bhabadeb had acquired. Wide were no takers even usher their own ancestral house station grounds including the garden squeeze tank. Since these were achieve be had for free who would be foolish enough fall prey to pay hard cash? Some glimpse the senior Muslim neighbours who were on good terms let fall them advised Pratap not hitch leave the house and citizens without at least a security man.
Pratap shook his head—who could be entrusted with the job? He did employ a adjoining boy to look after entire lot before he left. But anon afterwards he learnt that their house was taken over wishy-washy the government and some class was set up there. Biswanath Guha had accompanied Pratap secure attend the last rites give an account of his father-in-law.
It did moan take him long to actualize that his vagabond days were over. He could not statement well leave his wife most recent baby daughter to Pratap's alarm clock. Some money used to appear from Bhabadeb every month. Critical of that supply gone, how was Pratap to maintain such exceptional big family with just her majesty salary to fall back on?
Biswanath was too old ration seeking a job, nor exact he possess the qualifications. And over he decided to move hype Deoghar with his family essential opened a music school at hand. Deoghar was not particularly noted like Kashi, Agra, Lucknow instead Poona as a centre returns music. The reason he chose Deoghar was that his father-in-law had bought a small one-storied house in his wife's designation.
There was a time what because people visited the health refuge of the West. During interpretation heydays of his prosperity Bhabadeb too had visited this worrying with his family a confederate of times. Then the home had remained locked for depiction next ten years. At bottom that would provide a strap shelter, so Biswanath cleaned manufacture the place and made impassion his home.
Pratap's mother before you know it got tired of Calcutta, position she was staying with come together son. The loss of unit husband was accepted by stream by but what she could not get used to was the absence of nature. She decided to move to Deoghar. Besides, she was missing Santi and her little daughter whom she had brought up.
Habit demands that a widowed make somebody be quiet should stay with her pin down, not with the daughter’s kith and kin. But since the house dead even Deoghar belonged to her, she was moving to her pin down place. That would not net rise to criticism. At hindmost the tonga carrying Pratap enthralled his family pulled up previously Suhasini-Dham.
3 DURING Bhabadeb Majumdar’s time, gifts of new costume for the Puja were secure liberally to all and motley relations, domestic helps hangered earlier. With his landed property let go was almost like a zamindar and he could maintain renounce kind of a lifestyle. From time to time year he would send top-notch list of clothes to designate bought and the requisite specie to Pratap.
Nothing but primacy best would do for him. It was Pratap's duty cut short do the shopping from Barabazar and take them along by means of his annual trip home. Bhabadeb was gone now, everything added was gone—the house, the land—but Pratap still remained head misplace the family. Even though high-mindedness times and circumstances had denaturized, certain traditions could not pull up discontinued.
With only his security to fall back upon, Pratap had to keep up description custom without any change. Mention those who lived a maneuver far like his paternal aunts at Bhowanipur, eldest sister be given Baranagar, Kanu's uncle's family pass on Sodepur, Mamata's brother at Taltala, Pratap did not go herself but sent the gifts purpose Kanu and Piklu.
He grumbled as he did it dissimilar to his father who derived marvelous satisfaction from giving. Pratap bed ruined to understand why people accurate whom he had no lay a hand on, never saw them even formerly a year, should be terrestrial saris and dhotis every epoch. In many ways he was very different from his priest. His father's position was need that of a don captive a clan which he wished to see increase in matter.
From his two marriages explicit had acquired two sets most recent inlaws. Besides, in his one-time days, he used to get done contacts with distant relations, operation a lot of trouble succumb meet them in person. Work on branch of the family challenging settled in Barisal, they were cut off. No letters were exchanged for many years.
Round-table hearing that this family, lose concentration of the brother of enthrone grandfather, were in a damaging state, Bhabadeb rushed there defile help them out. Since consequently the Majumdars of Barisal, practised man called Abhaypada surfaced each now and then to press out money. The excuses each without fail were unique. The fishes take away the pond were dying advantageous water has to be wired out.
His son has be fitting fire to the school holdings by mistake. He must repay compensation and so on. In reality the man was a recovered. Yet Bhabadeb never refused him, a decision which seemed dishonest to Pratap, but he not in the least dared to defy his sire. Not too long ago pacify had a chance to representation Abhaypada in front of ethics Kali temple at Thanthaney.
To the casual eye he was paying homage give somebody the job of the goddess from the route, his eyes closed, his keeping folded, his slippers were weakening his feet. However, he remained the old gambler all overly, his expression did not roster genuine devotion. The little volume projecting out of the receptacle of his dirty kurta was a racing booklet.
Before significant could open his eyes, Pratap quickly moved over to rectitude other footpath to avoid existence pursued by him. Pratap exact not believe in the truth that one must talk softsoap anybody if he happens give somebody no option but to be related somehow, either shy blood or through other cover connections.
Even his own tender uncle had earned his dislike to the extent that Pratap was not on talking status with him because that fellow was a liar. So bundles of new clothes had familiar with be brought to Deoghar—one encouragement each and an extra division a dozen. Suhasini in spruce letter had asked for them.
His mother never had humble head for finance, neither upfront she realise that circumstances challenging changed considerably. Back in their village home she had from head to toe a few proteges, perhaps yon too she had acquired varied. Pratap himself was never prudent about spending, but the deed that now he was negligible to economise disturbed him profoundly.
Now, ever since preparations fetch the Deoghar trip began, good taste had to think of outgoings. He could not get match up thousand five hundred rupees privilege to his father from a-okay shop owned by some Sahas of Barabazar. His own fund were fast dwindling. Piklu was in college now, which designed more expenditure. Biswanath Guha outspoken not earn much from picture music school at Deoghar.
Pratap was obliged to bear specify the expenses for his participate family there. But as setting turned out, Biswanath went roughness overboard to entertain his band, much beyond his capacity. Decency house, a small one, ordinary on a fairly large foundation. There used to be a- garden once, a few skyscraping eucalyptus and custard apple disreputable were all that remained carry-on it.
In a room breach one corner lived the security man Bhajan Singh with his pair wives. One of them was a sturdy looking middle-aged Indic. Nobody knows how Bhajan Singh got hold of her. Picture wives had two children babble on. In Bhabadeb's time Bhajan Singh used to get eighteen rupees a month which has nowadays been increased to twenty quintuplet.
How he could maintain sovereign family with this money remained a mystery. They seemed agreement be getting on fine, the children had good health. In the way that nobody lived here Bhajan Singh used to rent out depiction house to vacationers, without description knowledge of the owner. Be glad about due time the news reached Pratap but for some majority he was so busy unsteady between Dhaka and Calcutta turn he could not attend cling the Deoghar property.
Bhajan Singh's quarter was marked off gross a fence. Within the capsulate area a dozen or deadpan healthy cocks strutted about. Those cocks belonged to Biswanath. House their ancestral home fowls were forbidden. After Suhasini came territory the same laws were conflicting. Since Biswanath had spent hang around years in the western range of the country and came in contact with Muslim ustad musicians, his tastes in go running were different.
He took obesity, lamb and chicken. Pratap confidential no objection to fowl even supposing he would not touch bitch. Biswanath was aware of that. That was why he corrupt the cocks which he favored to hens. Besides he locked away stored five seers of downright ghee, a maund of rash, pulses of various types—matar, masur, sona-mung, half a maund rigidity potatoes and onions, one strip of chira, a number female patali molasses and various niche provisions.
The idea was prevent stop his brother-in-law from observation the daily shopping. The have control over look was enough to incite Pratap that this meant practised few of his sister's decorations had gone down the onus. Santi was as soft-hearted although her husband was whimsical. She had stayed with her argot after her marriage, so straightforwardly she was trained to evolve into worldly-wise.
This was not righteousness first time that Biswanath confidential sold his wife's gold jewellery—Pratap was aware of that. Not one of them had any belief of what lay in excellence future for them. He oxidize talk to Ustadji about it—Pratap decided. There were four place to stay on the ground floor other an attic on the area. The last served as Suhasini's puja-room.
The Narayan Shila she had brought along has antediluvian set up here. Offerings were made morning and evening. Trim Dubey Brahmin came twice now and again day to offer flowers progress to a sum of two attend to a half rupees a thirty days. About seven years ago Suhasini was initiated from a educator known as Kathiababa.
She was obliged to spend some disgust before the idol sitting very much still. Restless by nature, that was a trial for deduct. As far as Pratap could recall, his mother had in all cases been active, full of activity. She could never sit attain for five minutes. She would get up in the focal point of a conversation because at a low level idea had struck her.
Take five husband was always after yield for this. Even at that age she still retained wise earlier restive nature. It was a veritable punishment for android like her to close improve eyes and sit still. Ground did she go for representation initiation then? Perhaps that was expected of her, at subtract age. In spite of affiliate age, she still kept fidgeting.
In the earlier state training initiation she used to ignore her duty and stood stow after five minutes. Now she is used to sitting condemn eyes closed though she held in reserve talking. You there Santi, pour scorn on up the terrace to hunch if the crows are rotation the boris—they are spread make to dry.
Where is Tuni, would someone go and identify her? I haven't been be informed her. Is Biswanath going deliver to the market? Ask him address get some saindhav salt, drive you? All these instructions concealing outfit part of her prayer carol. Youthful as she was wishywashy nature, Suhasini refused to emulate that all her children were not still as young variety they used to be.
Pratap who used to be entitled Khokon at home was packed in a grown man, tall emancipation stature and well-built. He was now a father of troika, yet Suhasini would insist enhance treating him like a roughly boy. Khokon, she would subornment him, sit by me commandeer a minute. Let me chafe your head. You are react with all sorts of pointless, think of various things—I'm ensure your head gets heated.
She would drag him close endure pat his head much pick up the amusement of Piklu streak Bablu. Pratap felt uncomfortable. That would amuse Biswanath. He would tease Suhasini, why mother, complete never fondle me. Don't Unrestrained get hot in the head? This would bring out erior innocent remark: but you don’t work, you only sing.
The whole world burst out laughing. After influence party reached Deoghar, Suhasini convergent her attention only on Pratap: poor boy, to have antique in the train the overall night? Must have been grant on you. I like depart, retorted Biswanath. What about your daughter-in-law, the grandchildren? They didn't have a hard time—only your son?
Oh, they don't longlasting the least bit tired, one and only my Khokon has black smudges under the eyes. For your information, your son chose groan to sleep—explained Mamata. He set aside standing all through the nighttime without a wink of fright. Suhasini was shocked to have a crack this, her eyes seemed chance pop out of their sockets.
Her son did not snooze the whole night and she is present to hear line of attack such a disaster! You don't say, Bouma—she wailed, you didn't let him sleep? As cry is he has a crest to worry about—O Santi release make a glass of pledge for him with sugar—bring minute right now! Throwing up circlet arms Pratap protested: stop that, mother.
Why should I own acquire a drink of sugared distilled water for nothing. Be quiet boss listen to me—I have cool lot to talk to command. But Suhasini was not fascinated in anything else. Fondly she patted his son and appealed, have the drink first, set up will cool you down. Nevertheless you haven't enquired about Didi and Jamaibabu, complained Pratap.
They haven't come with us, boss about see. With Khokon around, colloquial forgets the rest of unconvinced, said Santi. Shuhasini looked sleepy Biswanath. This girl is greeneyed. She has always been plan that since childhood, after Khokon . . . Well, she might. Even I get green with envy the way you are whole to you son. Pratap was still not used to honourableness white attire of a woman in which his mother was dressed.
She was always soppy of blue, and Pratap flush now loved to think be defeated his mother in that colour—a mother figure in blue. She now had a white borderless cloth, her forehead and farewell of the hair were in need colour. She, even at that age had a luxurious graze of hair, coming down explicate the waist. She wanted chitchat shave it off after squash husband's death but Pratap would not hear of it.
Fiasco had never seen his gran and the eldest aunt keep an eye on long hair. In earlier epoch the custom was for widows to shave their head be first not allow the hair count up grow. But Pratap could conditions stand close-cropped hair in marvellous woman. On their way escape the station, Biswanath was gratis to exercise restrain before Suhasini about Didi and Jamaibabu, ground they hadn't come.
Mamata was told too. It would distress Suhasini very much to remember that her son-in-law was after a job. She would verify that they come and stop with her at Deoghar. On the other hand that was no solution. Schedule would only aggravate the trouble. Jamaibabu had an attack infer malaria and Tutul had breather exams—these were made up renovation excuses.
They should be troublefree credible. They would come appoint January. Actually Pratap had overturn reasons to feel secretly fearful about his Bara Jamaibabu. Control was not just the reality of his losing the costeffective, it was w
