Hindi Varta Jul Sep

L A N G U A G ED I S C O U R S EW R I T I N GEditorMamt aKaliaVolume4J uly-Sept ember 20 0 9PublishedbyMahat maGandhiInt ernat ionalHindiUniversit yAJ ournalofMa h a t m a Ga n d h iAn t a r r a s h t r i yaH i n d i Vi s h wa vi d ya l a yaKku'kka freS =kh2 :: July-September 2009H i n d i : La n gu a ge , Di s co u r s e , Wr i t i n gAQuar t er lyJ our nalofMahat maGandhiAnt ar r asht r iyaHindiVishwavidyalayaVolume4Number 3J uly-Sept ember 20 0 9R.N.I .No.DELENG11726/ 29/ 1/ 99-TcMahat maGandhiAnt ar r asht r iyaHindiVishwavidyalayaNoMa t er i a l fr omt h i s j ou r n a l s h ou l d b er ep r od u ced el s ewh er ewi t h ou tt h ep er mi s s i on oft h ep u b l i s h er s .Th ep u b l i s h er s or t h eed i t or s n eed n ot n eces s a r i l ya gr eewi t h t h evi ews exp r es s ed i n t h econ t r i b u t i on s t ot h ej ou r n a l .Edit or :Ma m t a Ka l i aCoor dinat or :Ra k e s h Sh r e e m a lEd i t o r i a l Offi ce :E-47/ 7,I st Floor OkhlaI ndust r ialAr ea,Phase-I INewDelhi-110 0 20Phon e: 0 9212741322Sa l e &Di s t r i b u t i o n Offi ce :Publicat ionDepar t ment ,Mahat maGandhiAnt ar r asht r iyaHindiVishwavidyalayaPo.Box16,Pancht eela,War dha-4420 0 1Subscr ipt ionRat es:SingleIssue:Rs.125/ -Annual-Individual:Rs.40 0 / -Inst it ut ions:Rs.60 0 / -Over seas:Seamail:SingleIssue:$20Annual:$60Air mail:SingleIssue:$25Annual:$75P u b l i s h e d By:Mahat maGandhiAnt ar r asht r iyaHindiVishwavidyalaya,War dhaAllenquir iesr egar dingsubscr ipt ionshouldbedir ect edt ot heMahat maGandhiAnt ar r asht r iyaHindiVishwavidyalaya,War dhaP r i n t e d a t :RuchikaPr int er s,10 295,LaneNo.1West Gor akhPar k,Shahdar a,Delhi-110 0 32July-September 2009 :: 3L A N G U A G ED I S C O U R S EW R I T I N GJ uly-Sept ember 20 0 9Co n t e n t sH e r i t a geDussahas Pr emchand 9Nasha Pr emchand 1 7Sh o r t St o r yAWoman' sFeat s Sur yabala 23Papa Dhir endr aAst hana 28Dhampur Meer aKant 4 0ComingBack Mushar r afAlamZauqui 54TheMist r essofPhoolpur Pr at yaksha 7 2P o e t r ySixPoems Pr ayagShukla 84Thr eePoems AsadZaidi 89SixPoems Anamika 94SixPoems DineshKumar Shukla 10 5Tr a ve l o g u eTheEar t henCup Asghar Wajahat 1194 :: July-September 2009Di s c o u r s ePr emchand:Asshor t st or ywr it er BhishmaSahni 12 4Thesub-alt er ninIndianLit er at ur e:SomeReflect ionsonPr emchandandhisGodan P.C.J oshi 13 8Godan:TheBackSt or y KamalKishor eGoyanka 15 5Text andCont ext :ASociologicalAnalysisofDalit Char act er sinPr emchandandot her s SubhashShar ma 16 2TheTr ut hAbout 1857 RamnikaGupt a 17 9Me m o i rPr emchand:Ghar Mein Shivr aniDevi 19 0I n t e r vi e wPr emchand: I nt er viewedby Pt .Banar asidasChat ur vedi 19 8F i l m sACelluloidJ our neyt oI ndia:AbdolhosseinSepant aandt heEar lyIr anianTalkies Lalit J oshi 2 0 1La n gu a geHindiinGuyana Sat ishkumar Rohr a 2 12Theat r icalper for manceandHindit eaching:MyJ apaneseExper ience Har jendr aChaudhar y 2 18P a ge s fr o m a n o ve lT' TAPr ofessor Manohar ShyamJ oshi 2 2 1Co n t r i b u t o r s Ad d r e s s e s 2 2 9July-September 2009 :: 5Readers'Page1) fr-.t=t==t=f==t,=-=.vvv)=.=t=r=t=t,=tft=t==fat=t=at=t=ttrt=rr=~ttf===attt===fr-.t=t=:t =rt ttt= ==t.===r a>=f==tr ,= =t>=-f==tata=t=ta==attrtr = t=tt, ==t=t==t=rf=f:a=arf=fr-.t=f=at,=tt-=tfr=tt=t=t,,==t=r==t:tt=:ttf===rtr)=~tt:tt~ttat=~ttttt=t=r==tf=tfa=fr-.taf=:== ==t== fr-.t=t =t= = =f==1v.v= ==t.=t = =f=tt=t+=tf==== =t=tt=t ttf==at. =trt =t= = =t=t= =t.. ~t ar = =t.=a== tt~ttrt.-= .f=:tt ===tttttt=t ,=r -.,==t2) Iwishtocongratulateyouonrelaunchedhindi.Boththeissuesthathavecomeoutsofar,havebeenablyedited.Beinganauthorofhighliterarymerityourself,youareprovidingtheliteratiwithanoverviewofeminentlitterateursincludingPhanishwarNathRenu,Kunwarnarain,MridulaGarg,RavindraKalia,RajeeSeth,ChitraMudgalandAmarkant.Byrunningregularcolumnsnamelyheritage,focus,conversation,poetry,films,shortstory,discourseandlanguage,yousubstantiatetheparametersofHindi.Thespecialattractioninyourfirstissue(Jan-March09)istheheartwarmingarticleonKunwarnarainbyhissonApurvanarain.Hegetshisfatherspersonandpoetryintoperspectivenotonlybygivingusanintimateglimpseofhisfleshandbloodbutalsobydisplayinghisownpowertognawintothesinewofhisfatherscraft.Hiscommentsbelongneithertoacuddledsonnoracaptivatedone.Ontheotherhand,theyarethoseofadiscerning,eruditesavant.HealsothrowshimselfheartandsoulintothetranslationsofKunwarjispoemsDeepakSharmaB-35,SectorC,Aliganj,Lucknow6 :: July-September 20093) Iwasextremelyimpressednotonlywiththequalityofthepublicationbutalsoitsintellectualcontent.Infact,IwasalsoverytouchedbytheexcellentviewsexpressedbytheViceChancellorShriVibhutiNarainRai.SuchandraChakrabortiViaemail,4) Idaresaythatthisvolume(April June09)isnotonlywell-edited,it,rathercomprehensivelycapturesthescenarioofcontemporaryHindiwritingwell.CandidlyfocusonAmarkantapart,thewayyouhavehighlightedtheyoungergeneration,deservesheartycompliments.ReallyIamveryhappythatyouhaveexcellentlydisplayededitorialvisionandinsightinthisissue.BharatBhardwaj11/AHindustanTimesApartmentsMayurVihar-I,Delhi.July-September 2009 :: 7Editor's NoteThetrimesterofJuly,AugustandSeptembercausesripplesinthemainlandofHindibecauseofseveralreasons.Katha-samratPremchantwasbornon31stJuly1880.Helivedashortlifebutpackeditwithhispenmanship.Hewrotemorethan280shortstories,12novels,quiteafewessays,editorialsandbookreviewsthatareeverrelevanttothecauseofliterature.ThemonthofJulybringsbackhiscontributiontoHindiwhichtheHindiworldcommemoratesinvariouswayslikeholdinglectures,seminarsandconferences.WehavedevotedsomepagestothedoyenofHindifictionbytranslatingafreshtwoofhisshortstoriesnashaanddussahas.ThesestoriesexpressPremchandssocialconcernandpointtowardsthemaladiesofhistimes.NowonderthatprogressivewritersandthinkerslikeBhishmaSahniandP.C.Joshihavewrittenabouthisartandcommitment.AnotherscholarKamalKishoreGoyankareflectsonPremchandscraftandcraftsmanshipinGodan.WhenPremchandwaswritingaboutthehave-notsofsociety,therewasnospecificbracketofdalitthoughtinliterature.Moderndayanalysishasresultedinmakingthisawholeareaofsocialconcern.SubhashSharmareflectsonthedalitcharactersinfourimportantnovels.Premchandswife,ShivraniDeviwroteanextremelyvividandreadablebiographyofherhusbandentitledPremchand:GharMein.Wecarryafewpagesthatrevealthelive-wiredialoguebetweenthehusbandandthewife.Theissuecarriespoemsoffourpoets,eachofwhomholdsaspecialplaceincontemporarypoetry.PrayagShuklaandDineshKumarShuklahaveasensitiveapparatusforrespondingtonatureanditssurroundingswhereasAsadZaidiandAnamikasparkoffatgenderanomaliesandcontradictions.AsgharWajahathasthiswanderlustinhimwhichtakeshimtofaroffplacesandhecomesbackwithabagfulofmemories.Weofferonlyawindow-viewofhistriptoIranandAzerbajan.Ourshortstorysectionhasfiveauthorswhoseworksofshortfictionprovideavarietyofexpressions.DhirendraAsthanasshortstoryPapaisatwowayoutletofemotionsforfatherandsonofanewgenerationwhereasMusharrafAlamZaukisshortstoryComingBackelaboratesonpresentdaye-romance.SeniorwriterSuryabala8 :: July-September 2009hassarcasmreservedforhusband-wiferelationshipwhereasyoungerauthorMeerakantgivesagraphicaccountofamaladjustedwomansagony.PratyakshaisanewentrantinHindiandsheexperimentswithanumberoftechniques.Theacademicsofcinemahavealwaysbeenofinteresttomenofletters.ProfessorLalitJoshiwritesaboutthebeginningsofHindicinemaviaIranianmovies.SatishKumarRohradocumentsthehindisceneinneighbouringcountryGuyanaandRamnikaGuptabringsupafewqueriesaboutthehistoricalunrestof1857.Therewasatragi-comedyoferrorsinthepreviousissuewhenourtranslatorjumbledupafewpoems.VimalKumarspoemtoseethatbeautywasanewexperienceforthemirrorwaspublishedtoNileshRaghuvanshiscredittherebydoublingtheconfusion.VimalKumarandNileshRaghuvanshiarebothaward-winningfinepoets.Ourapologiesextendtobothofthem.Weshallatonebypresentingthemwithbettercarenexttime.OyesAugustisveryclosetoallofusforweloveourindependence.SeptembercapsitwithaHindiDayonSeptember14.Hindigetsahugefaceliftfromgovernmentoffices,universities,collegesandvoluntaryorganizations.Thetwohaveacloseknittedhistoryofstruggle,developmentandachievements.Therehasbeenanincreaseinthee-presenceofHindi.OurauthorvicechancellorMr.VibhutiNarayanRai,inarecentdialogueunfoldedtheUniversitysprojectofcreatingawebsitehindisamay.comtoprovideinformationofHindiliteraturerangingfromBhartendu,RamchandraBhukla,PremchandtoJaishankarPrasad.Itsfirstphasewillcompriseofworksthatarefreefromcopyright.Mr.Raihopestomakeitaprimenetworklikeclassicreader.comandGutenberg.orgthatservetheirEnglishreaders.July-September 2009 :: 9DUSSAHASPremchandTr a n s l a t ed b yRaviNandanSinhaInt heNaubast alocalit yofLucknow,t her elivedoneMunshiMaikulalMukht ar .Hewasaper fect gent leman,ext r emelygener ousandkind.Hehadsuchpr ofessionalexper t iset hat t her ewashar dlyacour t casefor whichhewasnot hir edbyoneor t heot herside.Healsolovedt hecompanyofsadhusandwisemen.Fr omt hemhehadpickedupacer t ainamount ofknowledgeofphilosophyandt hepr act iceofsmokingganjaandcharas.Andfor dr inking,well,t hat washisfamilyt r adit ion.Aft er dr inking,hecouldpr epar egoodlegaldocument s;winewouldlight uphisint ellect .Ganjaandcharasimpr ovedhisknowledgeandwisdom.Aft er smokingt hedr ug,heent er edint oast at eofmedit at ionandexper iencedasenseofnon-at t achment t owor ldlyt hings.Peopleinhislocalit ywer eimpr essedbyhim,not byhislegalexper t isebut byhisgoodnessbor nofgener osit y.Car r iagedr iver s,milkmen,kahars,allwer eobedient t ohim;t heywouldleavet heir hundr edt hingst odosomet hingfor him.Hiswine-gener at edlar ge-hear t ednessimpr essedever yon e.Ever ydaywhenhecamebackfr omt hecour t ,het hr ewt wor upeesbefor eAlgukahar.Hedidnot needt osayanyt hing;Alguknewwhat t hat meant .Ever yeveningabot t leofliquor andsomeganjaandcharaswouldbeplacedbefor eMunshiji.Andt hen,t her ewouldbeapar t y.Fr iendswouldar r ive.Ononeside,t her ewouldbehisclient ssit t inginar owandont heot her hisfr iendswouldsit .Thediscussionscent r edonspir it ualit yandnon-at t achment .Onceinawhile,hewouldalsot alkt ohisclient sabout acour tcase.Thepar t yendedat t enint henight .Apar t fr omhislegalpr ofessionandt hoseenlight eningdiscussionsonspir it ualit y,MunshiHeritage10 :: July-September 2009jididnot concer nhimselfwit hanyt hingelse.Hehadnot hingt odowit hanymovement ,anymeet ing,or anysocialr efor mint hecount r y.Int hissense,hewasr eallyabovewor ldlyt hings.Thepar t i t i on ofBen galt ookplace, t h eSw a d es hi movemen t wa s l a u n ch ed ,liber al and ext r emistgr oups wer e for med,polit icalr efor msbegan,aspir at ionforindependencewasbor n,t hecount r yr angwit hvoicescallingfor defendingt henat ion;but allt hat didnot dist ur bt heunbr okenpeaceinMunshijislifeevenonelit t lebit .Except for t hecour t -officea n d h i s d r i n ki n g, h econ s i d er edever yt hingelset obemay a;hehadnoint er est inanyt hingelse.2Lampshadbeenlit.Munshijispartywasinplace,thedevoteeshadassembledbutthewine-goddesswasnowheretobeseen.Alguhadnot ret urnedfromt hemarket.Againandagain,peoplelookedtowardsthedoorwitheagernessintheireyes. One man stood in the veranda waiting;twoorthreegentlemenwereinthestreetinordert ohaveadvanceinformat ion.ButAlguwasnowheretobeseen.ThatwasthefirsttimeinhislifethatMunshijihadtowaitforsuchalongtimeforhisbottle.Theexpectationgeneratedbyhiswaitinghadtakentheformofdeepmeditation;heneitherspoketoanyone,norlookedatanyone.Allhisfacultieswerefocussedonthepointofwaiting.Suddenlynewscamet hat Alguwascoming.Munshijiwokeupfr omhist r ance,hisfr iendsbloomedwit hjoy;t heysat upaler t ,t heir eyesfilledwit hdesir e.Delaycoupledwit hhopeincr easest hepleasur eofget t ingsomet hing.SoonAlguwasst andingbefor et hem.Munshijididnot speakangr ilyt ohimbecauseit washisfir st mist ake;t her emust havebeensomer easonfor it .Wit hhalfopeneyesfullofeager nesshelookedat Algushands.Ther ewasnobot t leint hem.That wasunnat ur al,but hedi dn ot loseh i st emper . Heaskedsweet lyWher eist hebot t le?AlguI didnot get it t oday.MaikulalWhy?AlguThesw ar ajist sar eblockingbot hendsoft hest r eet .Theyar enotallowinganyonet ogonear t hewineshop.NowMunshijiwasangr y,not wit hAlgu,but wit ht heswarajist s.What r ightdot heyhavet ost opmydr inking?Hecont inuedwit hsomeannoyanceDidntyoument ionmyname?AlguYes,Idid.It r iedt oar guewit ht hem,but whowouldlist ent ome?Ever yonewasr et ur ningfr omt her e,soI alsocameback.MunshiDidyoubr ingt hecharas?AlguTher e t oo itwas t he same st or y.MunshiAr eyoumyser vant or oft heswarajist s?AlguIhavenot becomeyour ser vantt oget myfaceblackened.MunshiO,sot hosescoundr elswer eblackeningpeoplesfacesalso?AlguThat Ididnot seefor myself,but ever yonewassayingso.MunshiAllr ight ,Illgomyself.Letmesee,whohasgot t hegut st ost opme.Illsendeachoneoft hemt ojail.Aft er allweveagover nment her e,it sJuly-September 2009 :: 11not ananar chy.Wast her enoconst ablepost edt her e?AlguThe inspect orsaheb himself wast ellingever yonewhoever want st ogoin,cango.Let himbuy,or dr inkwine;butno one was list ening t o him. Ever yonewasr et ur ning.MunshiTheinspect or ismyfr iend.ComeI du, willyoucomewit hme?Rambali,Bechan,J hinku,let sallgot oget her .Pickupanempt ybot t le,eachofyou.Let mesee,whocanst opus.Tomor r owit self,Illt eacht hemalesson.3When Munshi ji r eached t he st r eetleadingt ot hewineshop,t her ewasabigcr owdassembledt her e.Int hemiddleoft hecr owd,st oodt wover yr espect ablemen.One of t hem was Maulana J aamin, a well-knownr eligiousmanoft het own.Theot her per sonwasSwamiGhananand,whowast hefounder oft heSevaSamit iandagr eat well-wisher oft hepeople.Facingt hemwast heinspect or wit hanumberofconst ables.WhenhesawMunshijiandhisfr iends,hesaidcheer ilyComeMukht ar Saheb,t odayyouhadt ocomeyour self.Allt hesefour peoplear ewit hyou,ar ent t hey?MunshijisaidYes,Isent mymanfir st ,but her et ur nedempt yhanded.Ihear dt hat t her eisar uckusher e;t heswarajist sar enot allowinganyoneinsidet hest r eet .Inspect or Ohno,whocanpr eventanyonefr omgoingin.Youcangofr eely.Noonewillsayawor d.Aft er all,whatamIher efor ?Cast ingaglancefullofpr ideonhisfr iends,Munshijient er edt hest r eet .MaulanaJ aaminsaidt oIdupolit elyFr iend,it st imefor your namaaz,howcomeyouar eher e?Canwesolvet heKhilafat pr oblemwit ht hiskindoffait h?Idufelt asifir onshacklesheldhisfeet .Ashamed,hest oodt her elookingdown.Hedidnot havet hecour aget ot akeanot her st ep.SwamiGhananandsaidt oMunshijia n d h i s fr i en d s Son , t a ket h i spanchamrit ,Godwillblessyou.J hinku,Ra mba l i a n d Bech a n a u t oma t i ca l l yext endedt heir handst or eceivet hepanchamritand dr ank it . Munshi ji saidDr inkt hat your self,Idont want it .Swamijist oodbefor ehimwit hjoinedpalmsandsaidhumblyPleasehavemer cyont hismendicant ,dont got her e.But Munshicaught holdofhishandandpushinghimasideent er edt hest r eet .Hist hr eefr iendsst oodwit hbowedheadsbehindSwamiji.MunshiRambali,J hinku,whyar entyoucoming?Whohast hepower t ost opus?J hinkuWhydont youcomeback?Weshouldlist ent oholymen.Mu n s h i So, i s t h i s t h eki n d ofboldnesswit hwhichyoust ar t edfr omhome?RambaliIcameher et hinkingt hatifsomeonest opsusfor cibly,wewillhandleit .But didwecomeher et ofightwit hholymen?MunshiIt st r ulysaid,villager sar er eallysheep.BechanYoucanact likealion,wear ehappyt or emainsheep.12 :: July-September 2009Wit h a show of gr eatar r ogance Munshijient er edt hewineshop.Ther ewasnoact ivit yt her e.Thewine-seller wasdozinginhisseat .Hesat upwhenhehear dMunshijicoming.Hefilledt hebot t leandt henbegant odozeagain.WhenMunshijicamebackt ot heendoft hest r eet ,hedidnot findhisfr iendst her e.Acr owdgat her edar oundh i man dst ar t edt aun t i n gh i mwi t hinsult ingwor ds.Oneoft hemsaidWhat adr unkar dheis!Anot her saidShar mchekut t ist kipeshemaradanbivavad(Shamecannotfacemen).At hir dmansaidHemust beaconfir medaddict .Meanwhilet heinspect or cameanddisper sedt hecr owd.Munshijit hankedhimandset out for home.Aconst ableaccompaniedhimfor secur it y.4Thefour fr iendsofMunshijit hr ewawayt heir bot t lesandbegant owalkhome.Theybegant ot alkamongt hemselves.J hinkuOncewhent heycaught myhor se-car tforfr ee wor k, itwas t his swamijiwhopleadedwit ht hepeonandgotmer eleased.RambaliLast year whenmyhousecaught fir e,hecamewit ht heSevaSamit iwor ker s,ot her wisenot hingwouldhavebeensavedinmyhouse.BechanWhatar r ogance t his Mukht arhas!Ifyouhavet odosomet hingbad,doit secr et ly. On eshouldn t besoshameless.J hinkuBr ot her ,oneshouldnotspeakillofanyonebehindhisback.What ever elseheis,hecer t ainlyhascour age.Howboldlyheent er edt hatbigcr owd!RambaliThat isnoboldness.Ift heinspect or hadnot beent her e,hewouldhavebeent aught alesson.BechanIwouldnot haveset footint hest r eet ,evenifIwasoffer edfift yr upeesfor it .Icouldnot lift myheadfor shame.IduBycomingwit hhim,Igot int osucht r ouble.Nowwher ever Maulanawillseeme,hewouldscoldme.Whyshouldoneact against r eligiont hat onehast obeashamedofit ?TodayIfeltsomor t ified.It akeavowt odaynevert odr inkagain.Illnot evenlookatwine.RambaliThevowofadr unkar disnever anyst r onger t hanapieceofweakt hr ead.IduIfyouever seemedr inking,blackenmyface.BechanAllr ight ,t henfr omt oday,Ialsogiveupdr inking.IfnowIdr ink,let t hat becowsbloodfor me.J hinkuThenamIt heonlysinnerher e?Fr omnowonifyouever findmedr inking,makemesit infr ont ofyouandhit myheadfift yt imeswit hyour shoe.RambaliIdont believeyou;evennowifMunshijicallsyou,youwillgot her er unninglikeadog.J hinkuIfyoueverseemesittingwithMunshi ji, beat me with your shoe a hundredtimes.Ifapersonisnottruetohisword,July-September 2009 :: 13heisnotthesonofhisfather.RambaliThenfr iends,Ialsot akeavowt odayt hat Iwillnever dr inkifIhavet obuyit .Yes,Idont minddr inkingifsomeoneoffer sme.BechanWhenhaveyouever paidfor your dr ink?MeanwhileMunshijiwasseenwalkinghur r iedlyt owar dst hem.Alt houghhehadwont hebat t le,t her ewasacer t ainlookofembar r assment onhisface.Forsomehiddenr eason,hewasnot ablet oenjoyt hat vict or y.Hidinginsomecor ner ofhishear t ,compunct ionwasmockingat him.Hecouldnot under st andwhybut t hat act ofmisplacedcour agewast or ment inghim.RambalisaidComeMukht ar Saheb,yout ookalongt ime.MushiYouar edunces,allofyou;youwer emisledbyamer emendicant .RambaliThesepeoplehavet akenavowt odayt hat t heywillnever dr ink.MunshiIhavenever seenamanwho,aft er beingaddict edt oit once,canescapefr omit sclut ches.Mer elyt alkingabout givingupisanot her mat t er .IduYouwillseeit happening,ifI live.J hinkuOnecannot livewit hout food,bu t ot h er t h i n gs you ca n gi veu pwhenever youwant .Youonlyhavet ofeelashamedofit once.Nooneeverdiesfor want ofdr ugsor dr ink.MunshiWell,Illseehowbr aveyouar e.BechanWhat ist her et osee?Givingupdr inkingisnot abigt hing.Themostt hat canhappenist hat Illfeeldullfor acoupleofdays.Dur ingt hewar ,whent heEnglishmen,whodr inkwinelikewat er ,couldgiveit up,it isnotver ydifficult for us.Ta l ki n gl i ket h i s , t h eyr ea ch edMukht ar Sahebshouse.5Thelivingr oomwasdeser t ed.Theclient shadallleft .Alguwasasleepinacor ner .Munshijisat downonhisseat ont hefloor andbegant ot akeout t umbler sfr omt heshelf.Hest illdidnot believet hat t hevowsofhisfr iendswer egenuine.Hewasconfident t hat whent heysawt her ednessofwineandsmelt it spleasantscent ,allt heir vowswillvanish.Ionlyneedt oencour aget hemabit ;alloft hemwilljoinmeandt her ewillbeapar t y.But whenIdubegant oleaveaft ersaying goodbye t o him, and J hinku pickeduphisst ickt ogo,Munshijicaughtt hehandsofbot hoft hemandspokeinver ysweet wor dsFr iends,it snott her ight t hingt oleavemealoneliket his.Come,t ast et hisabit ;it sr eallyver ygoodwin e.IduThevowIhavemadet omyselfwillst and.MunshiO,comeon,what ist her eint heset hings?IduDoenjoyyour dr ink,but pleaseexcuseme.J hinkuGodwilling,Illnever evergonear it ;whowant st obebeat enwit hshoes?Sayingt his,bot hoft hemfr eedt heirhandsandleft .ThenMukht ar SahebheldBechanshand,whowasgoingdownt he14 :: July-September 2009st air soft hever anda.HesaidBechan,willyoualsobet r ayme?BechanIhavetakenaverybigvow.WhenonceIhavecalleditcowsblood,Icannotevenlookatit.Imaybeadespicable,worthlessfellowbutIrespectcowsblood.Isay,youshouldalsostopdrinkingandspendsomedaysinprayer.Haventyoubeendrinkingforalongtime?Sayingt his,hesaidgoodbyeandleft .NowonlyRambaliwasleft t her e.Ingr eat sor r owMunshijisaidt ohimRambali, seehowalloft hemhavebet r ayed me! I nevert houghtt hese peoplewillbesofaint hear t ed.Come,t odayletonlyt het woofusshar et hedr ink.Twogoodfr iendsar ebet t er t hanadozensuchfalseones.Come,sit down.RambaliI am r eady, butI have t akenavowt hat Iwillnever buymydr ink.MunshiAjee,aslongasIamalivewhyshouldyoufear .Dr inkasmuchasyouwant .RambaliBut what whenyoudie?Wher ewillIfindsuchagener ousman?MunshiWell,t hat isst illinfut ur e.I amnot dyingt oday.RambaliWhoknowswhenaper sonwilldie?Iamsur eyouwilldiebefor eme.Thenwhowillbuydr inkfor me?ThenIllnot beablet ogiveit up.It sbet t er t hat Iamcar efulr ight fr omt od a y.MunshiFr iend,dont t alkliket hisanddisappoint me.Come,sit down,t akejust aglassofit .RambaliMukht arSaheb, please dontfor cemesomuch.Whenaddict slikeIduandJ hinku,whosoldt heir wivesor nament sfor liquor andar ecomplet edolt s,cangiveupdr inking,Iamnotso shameless as t o r emain it s slave. Swamijihassavedmefr omt ot alr uin.Icannever disobeyhim.Sayingt hisRambalialsoleft .6Munshijiput t hecupt ohislips,butbefor ehecouldfillt hesecondcup,hisdesir efor dr inkingdisappear ed.It wast hefir st t imeinhislifet hat hehadt odr inkaloneasifit wer eamedicine.Fir st ,hefelt ir r it at edwit hhisfr iends.Imust havespent hundr edsofr upeesont heset r ait or sandt odayt heyhaver unawayonsuchat r ivialmat t er .Nowher eIam,alonelikeaghost ;t her eisnoonet ot alkt o.Oneshoulddr inkincompany.Whent her eisnopleasur eoffriendscompany,whatistheuseofdrinkingandthensimplygoingtobed?Andhowinsult edIfelt t oday!WhenIent er edt hest r eet ,hundr edsofpeoplewer elookingat mewit hfir eint heireyes.WhenIr et ur nedwit ht hewine,t heywouldhavet or nmeint opieces,ift heywer eallowedt o.Hadt heinspect ornot beent her e,r eachinghomewouldhavebeendifficult .Whyt hisinsult andt hisdisgr ace?Isit not onlyfor mer elymakingmymout hbit t er andbur ningmyhear t for amoment ?Ther eisnooneher et ot alkt oor laughwit h.Howwor t hlesspeopleconsider t hist hingt obe,onlyt odayIunder st ood,or elset hosewhohavebeenaddict edt odr inkingfor year swouldnot haver eject edmyoffer t hus,onlybecauseaholymangavet hemaslight hint t odoso.It ist r uet hat int heir hear t sJuly-September 2009 :: 15peopleconsider it t obeevil.Whenmilkmen,car t -dr iver sandkaharscangiveit up,amIevenwor set hant heyar e?Aft er t hisinsult ,t hisgoingdowninpeoplesest imat ion,t hislossofr eput eint heent ir et own,t hisinfamy,ifIgetint oxicat edfor somet ime,what gr eatachievement willt hat be?Isit r ightt ofallt hislowfor someaddict ion?Thosefour fellowsmust bespeakingillofmeat t hismoment ;t heymust bet hinkingt hat Iamawickedman.Ihavefallenint heeyesoft hesefallenmen.Icannotst andt his.TodayIwillbr ingt hispassiont oanend,Iwillendt hisinsult .Amoment lat er ,acr ashingsoundwashear d.St ar t led,Alguwokeupandsawt hat Munshijiwasst andingint hever andaandt hebot t lewaslyingbr okenont hegr ound.Re f e r e n ce s :Charas:anint oxicat ingdr ug.Ganja:hemp.Kahar:acast eofpalanquinbear er s.May a:illusion.Namaaz:pr ayer byaMuslim.Panchamrit :aholymixt ur emadeofmilkandot her t hingsoffer edt ot hedevot ees aft era Hindu wor ship cer emony.Sadhu:Hinduholymen.Swadeshi:t heHome-r ulemovementint heIndianFr eedomSt r uggle.Pr emch a n d ( 18 8 0 - 19 36 ) wa s b or n a t vi l l a geLa mh i i n Va r a n a s i . Hei s wi d el ykn own a s ka t h a s a mr a t or emp er or offi ct i on i n Hi n d i . Hi sr ea l n a mewa s Dh a n p a t Ra i . Hes t a r t ed wr i t i n gi n Ur d u u n d er t h ep en n a meNa wa b Ra i . La t er s wi t ch ed over t oHi n d i u n d er t h ep enn a mePr emch a n d . Hi s s h or t s t or i es d ep i ct r u r a l a n d u r b a n p r e- i n d e-p en d en ces oci et yi n a l l i t s s h a d es . I n h i s memor a b l en ovel God a n Pr emch a n d p or t r a ys t h ep l i gh t offa r mer s . Hega veu p h i s gover n men ts er vi cet obecomea fu l l t i mewr i t er . Hi s es s a ys l i keMa h a j a n i Sa bh ya t a J eeva n Mei n Sa h i t ya Ka St h a n a r er el eva n t t ot h i s d a y.Dr . Ra vi Na n d a n Si n h a , ed i t s Th eQu es t , a j ou r n a l ofI n d i a n l i t er a t u r ea n d cu l t u r ees t a b l i s h ed i n 19 8 7. Sa h i t ya Aka d emi a n d Na t i on a l BookTr u s t I n d i a h a vep u b l i s h ed b ooks ofHi n d i p oet r ya n d fi ct i on t r a n s l a t edb yh i m. Pr es en t l y, Hea d , PGDep t . ofEn gl i s h , St . Xa vi er s Col l ege,R a n c h i .16 :: July-September 2009NASHAPremchandTr a n s l a t ed b yDhir ajSinghIshvar isfat her wasabigshot .Mine,amer ecler k.Wewer entr ichandlandedlikehewas.But wewer egoodfr iends.Fr iendswhodar gueallt het ime.Ididnt oft enhavekindwor dsfor peoplelikehim.Icalledt hemblood-sucker s,compar edt hemt oallsor t soflowlyt hingsliket heAmar bel,t hepar asit evinet hat gr ewont opoft r ees.Hespokeupfor peoplelikehimself,t houghhedidnthavemuchofanar gument .Ther eisnt muchyoucansayint heir defencenowcanyou.Inever bought Ishvar isar gument t hat equalit ybet weenmenwasamyt handt hat t her ewer eandalwayswillbesmallmenandbigmen.Howcouldoneanywaypr ovehislineoft hinking,wit hout get t ingcaught inawebofmor alit yandet hics.Int heheat oft hemoment Idoft ensaysomever ynast yt hingst ohimbut t ohiscr edit Ishvar ialwayskept acoolhead.Inever sawhimevensomuchasr aisehisvoice.Maybehewasonlyt ooawar eoft heholesinhiscase.Butonecouldnever accusehimofnot pr act isingwhat hepr eached.Her ar elyhadakindwor dfor hisser vant s.Hehadinhimahugemeasur eoft hat specialcont empt andlackofempat hyt her ichhavefor t hosebelowt hem.Smallt hingslikeanunmadebed,aglassofmilkeit her t oohot or t oocoldor abicyclenotpr oper lydust edwouldseehiminasolar st or m.Alazyser vantor onet hat answer edbackwasanat hemat ohim.But wit hfr iendshewast hepict ur eofchumminess.AndIwashisbest buddy.MaybeifIwasbor nint helapofluxur yIt oowouldvet houghtHeritageJuly-September 2009 :: 17likehedid.Isayt hisbecausemyownposit ionwasnot basedonanydeepconvict ionsabout t heequalit yofmen,but camefr omt hehopelessnessofmysit uat ion.But inmyhear t IknewIshvar iwouldst illber ichevenifhewasbor npoor likeme.That sbecausehewasdeepinsidealover ofallt hingsbeaut ifulandallt hingsr ich.Oncedur ingt heDussehr aholidaysIdecidednot t ogobackhome.Iwasbr okeanddidnt want t oaskmyfolksfort icketmoney. I knew t hey wer e anywayst r et chingt hemselvesbeyondt heir meansget t ingmeaneducat ion.Plus,t her ewast headdedbur denofimpendingexams.Ther ewassomuchleft t ost udyandI kn ewon ceat homeI dn ever goanywher enear mybooks.But Ialsodidnt want t ost aybackaloneandhauntt hehost el.SowhenIshvar iinvit edmet ogowit hhimt ohisplaceIjumpedat t heoffer .It wasagodsend.Besideswecouldr eallyst udyt oget her .Despit ehisot her failings,hewasagoodandhar d-wor kingst udent .However ,t her ewasonet hinghewant edmet oguar dagainst .Myr at hervocallovefor r ubbishingt her ich!Itcould,hesaid,landhimint r ouble.Hisold-wor ldfeudalfamilyst illr uledovert heir fiefasifit wast heir diviner ight .But t heot her sideoft hest or ywast hatt h efi efa l s ot h ou gh t s o. An d t h i sequ i l i br i u moft h ou gh t wa s ver yimpor t ant t ot heir co-exist ence.Thiswasnt exact lymusict omyear s.Doyout hinkIllgot her eandst opspeakingmymind?Yes,Idliket ot hinksoThenyour et hinkingwr ong.Ishvar iwaswisenot t oanswer t hat .Hesimplykept quiet andleft t hemat t ert omyobviouslyover -heat edconscience.Healsomust haveknownhowst ubbor nIwaswhenit camet oour ar gument sabout classandequalit y.Thiswasafir st for me.Ihadnevert r avelledsecondclass.Infact ,Ihadntevent r avelledint er class.Ishvar ihadmadesecondclasst r avelpossibleforme.Thet r ainwast oar r iveat 9pmbut Iwassoexcit edabout our jour neyt hat Ishvar iandIwer eat st at ionsoonaft er sundown.Wegener allyhungar oundat t heplat for mandt hendecidedt ogot ot heRefr eshment Roomfor dinner .J ust bylookingat ust hest afft her edidnt t akelongt ofigur eout whowasMr Moneybagandwhowasahanger -on.Iwassur pr isedandangr yat myselffor bei n gs oover - s en s i t i vet ot h edefer encet heyshowedI shvar iwhilet r eat ingmeliket hehanger -ont hat Iwas.Aft er all,Ishvar iwast heonefoot ingt hebill.I assumedt hat myfat her smont hlysalar ywaspr obablylesst hanwhat t hesewait er sear nedast ips.Ishvar ihimselfleft t hem8annas.WasIwr ongt oexpect t hemt oshowmet hesamecour t esyt heywer eshowingmyfr iend?Whywasit t hat t heyjumpedat hisever ywhimwhilemyr equest sfellondeafear s?SuddenlyIdidnt feelver yhungr y.Thet r ainar r ivedandweleft t he18 :: July-September 2009Refr eshment Room.Thewait er sdidallbut kisst hegr oundwher eIshvar iwalked.Theylookedt hr oughmeasifIwer ehisshadow.Andt oaddinsult t oinjur y,Ishvar iobser ved:J ust lookat t hesepeople,howwellbehavedt heyar e.Andt hent her ear emyser vant s whoknownot hingabout not hing.St illsmar t ingfr omt heslight Iwasquickt oadd:Maybeifyout ippedt hemasgener ouslyt heydbeevenmor ewell-behaved. What doyout hinkt hesepeoplear edoingit for t het ip?No,not at all!Goodbehaviour andgent ilit yr unsint heir blood.Thet r ainst ar t ed.It wasanexpr esst r ain.Onceit left Pr ayagit onlyst oppedat Pr at apgar h.Onemanopenedourcompar t ment door t opeekin,andIimmediat elyshout ed,Dont youknowt hisisasecondclasscoach?Hecameinandgavemealookoner eser vesfor t hever ynaveandar r ogant .Yourhumbleser vant knowst hat ,Sir ,hesaidandsat ont hemiddleber t h.Ihadneverbeensoembar r assedinmylife.Wer each edMor adabadbyear lymor ning.Ther ewasawholecont ingentwait ingt owelcomeusat t hest at ion.Ther ewer et wowell-dr essedmenandfiveot her swholookedlikewor ker s.Thewor ker s picked up ourluggage and st ar t edwalking.Thet woot her sst ar t edt owalkwit husbehindt hewor ker s.Oneoft hemwasRiyasat Ali,aMuslimandt heot herRamhar akh,aBr ahmin.Bot hoft hemwer er egar dingmewit heyest hat said,but Mr Cr ow,ar ent yout r yingt oohar dt obeaswan.Finally,Riyasat AliaskedI shvar i,I st hisyoungsir your classmat e?For Ishvar it hiswasasignalt ost ar tspinninghisyar n.Yesandnot onlyt hat heisalsomyr oommat e.Infactyoucouldsayhest her easonI amst illst udyinginAllahabadot her wiseIdbedumpedbackinLucknowlongago.Youdont knowhowmuchIhadt obeghimt ocomewit hme.Hisfolksmust havesent himat least adozent elegr amsbut Isent t hemback.Thelast onet heysent wasUr gent meaningit cost four annasper wor d.But t hatt ooI sent back.Theybot hlookedat mesur pr ised.Asift heydbeenhit byt henewsofaflood.At last Riyasat Alispokeup,Imust sayt heyoungsir likest okeepit simple.Ishvar ihadananswer fort hat aswell.Hesaft er allaGandhifollower doesnt wear anyt hingexceptkhadi.Act ually,hebur nedallhisEnglishclot hes.Youwont believeit but hesapr ince.Their st at esannualincomealoneist woandhalflakhr upees.Butlookat himandyoudpr obablyt hinkIvepickedhimupfr omanor phanage.NowevenRamhar akhseemedexcit edbyI shvar isst or y.I t sr ar et ofindsomeonesor ichdot hat I dneverhaveguessedlookingat him.But Riyasat Alihadseenbet t er .Youshouldveseent heKingofChangli.HeJuly-September 2009 :: 19usedt owalkar oundt hemar ket placeinacheapkur t aandcoar seshoes.Ihear dheusedt owor kaslabour ersomewher e and nextI hearhe had openedacollegewor t h10lakhr upees.Iwant edn op a r t i n t h i s con ver s a t i on bu tsomewher eint hedept hsofmyhear tIhadalr eadybegunt oliket hesoundofmyquir kyr ichness.It wasalmostasifwit heachlineIwasbeingpushedcloser t omydr eamlifeandt her ichesit cont ained.Whenit comest ohor sesIamnocowboyandt hat isanunder st at ement .Myonlyexper iencewit ht hefour -leggedkindishoppingar oundonmulesasakid.Wait ingout sidet hest at ionwer et wost r appin ghor sest ot akeust oIshvar ishouse.Ifelt mykneeswobble.But Imadesur emyfacedidnt bet r ayanysignsoft r epidat ion.I wasnowcomplet elyat t hemer cyofmyfr iend.AndIwasgladIshvar iplayedt her oleofagent lemanhost t ot hehilt .Hadher acedhishor seIt oowouldvebeenfor cedt okeepupwit hhimandwit houtdoubt Idbeunder myr ideinnot ime.IwasgladIshvar ilet mekeepmyheadhighanddidnot hingt opier cemyfast -gr owingbubble.Hishousewaslikeafor t r ess.Thegat eit selfwasliket heImambar agat e,out sidewhicht her ewer eliver iedguar ds.It sinsidewast eemingwit hser vant s.Anelephant wast iedint hefr ont yar d.I shvar iint r oducedmet ohisfat her ,mot her ,unclesandaunt swit ht hesameent husiasmashedshownat t hest at ion.MeaningIwasnownot just apr inceint heeyesoft heser vant sbut inpr et t ymuchever ybodys.Aft er all,t hesewer et heboon dockswher eeven apoliceconst ablewouldbet hought t obeanofficer .For manyat Ishvar ishouseIwassomeonewhosimplycouldnt beaddr essedbyname.WhenI caught himaloneI askedhimwhyhewassokeenont akingmyt r ipinfr ont ofhisfamily.ButI shvar ihadhisr easons.Wit hout t hisdr essingupt heywouldnt event alkt oyou .J ust t henbefor eusmat er ialisedamasseur .Mypr incesmust bet ir edlet mepr essyour feet ,hesaid.Ishvar ipoint edt owar dsme.Hisfir st ,hesaid.Iwasonmybed,lyingonmybackr eadyt obegivenafoot massage.Thiswasmyfir st foot massage,anact t hatIhadmanyt imesint hepast cr ucifiedmyfr iendfor ,callingit namessuchast hekickoft her ich,BigFoot massage,opiumoft heasseset c.et c.Andnowher eIwasget t ingmyselfone.Byt het imemydebut wascomplet edinr ight ear nest t heclockst r uckt en,whichint hesepar t sisagoodenought imet oannouncelunch.But t hat t oowasnot wit hout it sr it uals.Wehadt obat hefir st .UsuallyI washmyownclot hesbut her eI behavedexact lylikeapr in cean ddr oppedoffmydir t yclot heswher eI shvar ihaddumpedhis.Thiswasanot her fir st for me.I feltI couldnt becaught deadwashingmyown clot h es.20 :: July-September 2009Int hehost elsdiningr oomweallsat at t het ablewit hour shoesonbuther et hingswer edonediffer ent ly.Aser vant st oodout sideour r oomt owashour feet .Ishvar iwent befor emeandgot hisfeet washed.It oodidlikewise.Inmyheadat inyvoicewasbeginningt or ing,bloodyhypocr it e,it calledme.Ihadcomeher eexpect ingt opr epar efor t heexamsandher eIwaswhilingawaymyt imeplayingBigPr ince.Ourdayswer eeit her spent cr ossingt her iveronar eedr aft or fishingor wat chingt hewr est ler sor playingchess.Ot hert imeswedbefeast ingonomelet t esmadeonast oveinIshvar isr oom.AndIwasfur t her get t ingspoilt byt hebat t er yofser vant st hat followedmear oundlikebabychicken.AllIhadt odowascallout andt hingswouldbedonefor me.IfIwent t ot hewellfor abat h,t her edbesomeonet opour wat er over me.IfIlaydownont hebedahandwouldst ar tfanning me. The ir ony of t he sit uat ionwast hat ever yonenowcalledmeTheGandhiPr ince.It snot asifIsquir medever yt imeaser vant camet obeofassist ancet ome.Iwasenjoyingever ybit oft heat t ent ion.Theydallfollowmear oundt oseet hat mybr eakfast wasont imeor t hatmybedwasmade.Ihadint hist imebecomemor er icht hant her ich.Wher eIshvar iwouldsomet imesmakehisownbed,Idst illbewait ingfor minet obemade.Asifmakingmyownbedwouldt ur nmebackint oafr og.AndonedayIalmost hadit .Ishvar iwasupst air st alkingwit hhismot her .Andit wasalr eady10pm.Icouldbar elykeepmyeyesopenbut just couldntbr ingmyselft omakemyownbed.Atabout 11.30Mahr acamet omyr oom.Hewasoneoft hefavour it eser vant soft hefamily.That daypoor chapmusthavebeenout onsomeer r and.But whatwasIt odo,Iwasaft er allr oyalt y.Sot hat daypoor Mahr ar eceivedfr ommet hewor st t onguelashingofhislife.Ishvar i,whowaswit hinear shot ,cameinsideandcongr at ulat edmefor finallyhavinglear nt t her ight wayt odealwit hser vant s.Thisist heonlywayt hesebugger sunder st and.Anot her dayIshvar iwasinvit edoutfor dinner andIwasaloneat home.Thesunhadset andst illnoonehadcomet omyr oomt olight t helant er n.Ijust sat t her est ubbor nlyst ar ingatt hemat chboxandt helant er nont het ablebesideme.HowcouldI,t het wo-and-half-lakh-r upeepr ince,light myownlant er n.Thisimaginar yfact wasbur ningmeupfr ominside.What smor e,Iwasdyingt or eadt henewspaper ,but howcouldI.J ust t hent hefamilyaccount antRiyasat Alipassedbyandloandbeholdmyanger er upt eduponhimliket heVesuvius.Idont knowhowyoupeoplecanmanagewit hsuchser vant s inmyhouset heydbekickedout immediat ely,It hunder ed.Finallyit wasRiyasat Aliwholit mylant er n,shakenashewasaft er myVesuviusmoment .Thakur wasanot her casualwor kerat Ishvar ishouse.AloosecanonofJuly-September 2009 :: 21a man buta har dcor e followerof Mahat maGandhi,heheldmeinver yhighr egar d.Infact ,hecouldbar elyspeakafullsent enceinmypr esence.OnedaywhenIwasalonehecameandst oodnextt omewit hfoldedhands.Mygoodsirisafollower ofMahat maGandhi,isntit ?Ihavehear dsomer umour s likewhenwer eindependent t her ewouldbenobiglandowner sint hecount r y.Ist hat t r ue?Suddenly,asifbymagicIwasmyoldselfagain.Ofcour se,whoneedst heselandowner sanyway.Doyouneedt heseblood-sucker s?But Thakur wasnot convinced.Youmean,mygoodsir ,allt heir landwillbet akenaway?Ther ear esome,Isaid,whollonlybet oogladt opar t wit ht heir land.Andt hosewhowont willobviouslybefor cedt ogiveupt heir land.But youknowwhat wevebeenact uallywait ingt odist r ibut eour samongt hepeopleofourst at e. SuddenlyThakur gr abbedmyfeetandst ar t edpr essingt hem.Youar esor ight ,mylor d,t helandowner sher ear et er r ible.Maybe,Icouldcomeandhumblyser veyouinyour st at eandper hapsget asmallpieceoflandinr et ur n.Right now,myfr iend,Idont havet hat r ight .But whenIdoIwillsur elycallyouover .MaybeIcouldt eachyouhow t o dr ive and you could be my dr iver .Lat er ,newscamet omet hat t hateveningThakur got dr unkandbeat uphiswife.Andasift hat wasnt enoughhewasalsor eadyt obashupt hevillagemon ey- len der .Thisishowour holidayscamet oanendandwest ar t edofffor t hest at iononceagain.It almost seemedt hewholevillagehadcomet oseeusoff.Thakurinfact camewit hust illt het r ain.It ooplayedmypar t t oper fect ion.Infact Iwaskeent ot ipt hemhandsomelyt oleavet hemat ast eofmywealt handbr eed i n g. Bu t mys h a l l owp ocket spr event edmefr omdoingt hat .Wed a l r ea d ybou gh t ou r r et u r nt icket s.Allwehadt odowast oboar dt h et r a i n a n d s a ygood byet ot h eboondocks.But t hedamnt r aincamepackedlikeasackofpot at oes.Thiswast heDur gaPujar ush.Most peoplewer er et ur ninghomeaft er t heholidays.Thesecondclasssect ionwaspackedt oo.Soyoucanimaginet hesit uat ionint heint er class.Andt hiswast helast t r aint oAllahabad.Ifwegaveit amiss,wedfindnonet illt henext day.But our powerandpelfhelpedusget someplaceint het hir dclass.Somet hingt hat left me,t he-t wo-and-a-half-lakhpr ince,r at herupset .What anant i-climaxwast hist ot hejour neyt oher ewhenwehadwholeber t hst oour selves.Nowwebar elyhadhalfaseat .But t het r ainwasfullofpeople.Ther ewer ealsopeoplewhohadhadanEnglisheducat ionandsawnosmallvir t ueint hewaysoft heir mast er s.Onegent lemanwasr at her vocalabout hislovefor t heBr it ish. When did we everhave a judicial22 :: July-September 2009syst emliket heir s,wher eever yoneisequal.Event hekingcanbet akent ot askifhewr ongsapeasant .Anot hersecondedt hisclaim.Youar esor ight .Youcouldevensuet heir Emper or .Takehimt ocour t ifyouwill.Next t omewasamanwhocouldntgeta place t o sit . So he r emained st anding,a bi gcl ot h ba gh a n gi n gfr omh i sshoulder s.It hinkhewasgoingfur t hereast ,t oCalcut t a.Iguessedhechoseaplacecloset ot hedoor sot hat hecouldget somefr eshair .But what hepr obablydidnot r ealisewast hat hewaspr et t ymuchcut t ingoffmyshar eofair .Andt hent her ewashisbigbagt hat r ubbedonmyface,once,t wice,t hr ice andt henIcouldt akeit nomor e.Ist ooduppushedhimawayandlandedt wot ight slapsacr osshischeeks.Theimpact andsuddennessoft heact hadmadehimangr yt oo.Whydoyouhit me,man?Ihavealsopaidmyfar e. This was enough t o send my pr incelybloodboilingandIgot uponceagainandfur t her r ewar dedhimwit hsever almor eslaps.Suddenlyit wasasift hewholecompar t ment hadgot int oact ion.Ever yonest ar t edr ainingblowsonme.What man?Ifyour esot ouchyyoushouldt r avelfir st class.Hemaybeabigshot inhisplacebut her ehedar enot act t oor ich.Idhavet ur nedhimint oapulphadheevent ouchedme.What wast hepoor guysfault ?Asit isit slikeacat t let r ainher e.Hewasonlyst andingbyt hedoorandt hispr inceandahalffelt insult ed.Ther ich,It ellyou,ar enot human.See,t hisiswhat your for eignr uledoest opeople.Anoldt oot hlessmanalsospokeup.Not get t inginsideofficebut behavinglikeanofficer !Ishvar iwast helast onet oscr eamat me.What abloodyidiot youar e, Bir !I could suddenly feel my spell cr umblet oat housandpiecesandr ealit ybr eakinar oundmeonceagain.Dh i r a j Si n gh i s a s h or t - s t or ywr i t er , p oet a n d p a i n t er b a s ed i n Del h i .An exh i b i t i on ofh i s p a i n t i n gs wa s h el d a t Ar t s Ga l l er y, NewDel h ii n Au gu s t , 20 0 9 . Heb l ogs a t h t t p : / / b od h i s h op . b l ogs p ot . comJuly-September 2009 :: 23AWOMANSFEATSSur yabalaTr a n s l a t ed b yPoojaBir laImofaver ageheight andbuilt ,analmost -beaut ifulwoman;youcancallmealady;welleducat ed,cult ur edandint elligent ,per hapscanevensayt hat Imint ellect ual.Imalsomar r ied,t oanalmost -dignified,handsomeandhealt hymanoffivefeet eleveninches,andamt hewifeofahusbandwhoisamanoffewwor ds,andevent hose-ut t er edsoft lygent ly.Kids?Ofcour se,daught er andsons,bor n,for t unat ely,inat imelyandconvenient manner ;kidst hat havegr ownint opr ecociousandobedient youngadult swhocomplet et heir homewor kont ime.For t unat ely,wehaveadequat eenoughmeanst oensur et hat t hislit t lecar avanofonehusband,t wodomest icmaidsandt hr eechildr encanskipalongt hepat hoflife,feelinghappinessat ever ybounce.Inot her wor ds,t hechildr ensst udies,aft er -schoolclassesandext r acur r icular act ivit ies,midt er msandfinals,allt akeplaceinaconvenient andor ganizedmanner .That sus-convenient andor ganized.Myhusbandgivesmewhat Iwant t or unt hehouse;helet smegowher ever Iwant t ogo.Henever int er fer esor st opsme,doesnt evenquest ionwhat Ido.WhenIaskhimt oaccompanyme,hecomesalong;anddoesnt whenIdont askhimt o.Ourfoodisalsoalwayssimpleandwholesome.If,occasionally,Ir epeatdishest oooft en,Imur mur apologet ically,Sor r y,andher espondsext r emelysoft ly,I t salr ight .Endofdiscussion.Short story24 :: July-September 2009Inot her homes,Iveseenenoughofcalamit y-causing,seismichusbandswhohaveconvulsionsbecauseeit hert hesalt isalit t lelessor t hechili,alit t lemor e.Fir st t her est heear t hquakeandt hent heaft er shocksofmollifiedoffer ings.It t akesagoodhour or t wot odealwit ht hewholeyear scasualt ycalendar .But inmyhome,Iswear ,t hishasnt happenedevenonce,whichiswhyour fr iendsandneighbor ssaymyhusbandisnoor dinar yman-hesasaint .Wehaveonecolor edTV,t wophonesa n d get t h r een ews p a p er s . Th enewspaper sar escannedbefor eandaft eroffice;t heTVisusuallyt ur nedonwhenheshome.Hehasnofavor it echannelor show.Ir r espect iveofwhat ison,hewat chesit ; what ever t hesubject ,hedoesnt get upset or changet hechannel,ever .Hesnever inadilemmaofwhatt odowit hhist ime.It passes,onit sown,comfor t ablyenough;ot her wisemostp eop l eh a vea fu l l - fl ed ged wor kou tt hinkingofhowt ospendt ime,savet ime.Nosuchindecisivenessper vadesmyhusbandswor ld.Heist heidealsolut ionoft hesepr oblems,whichisexact lywhyou r fr i en d s a n d n ei gh bor s s a ymyhusbandisnoor dinar yman-hesasaint .Ohbut what canIsayabout myself?J ust t hinkingabout meisembar r assing.Ihavenowisdomor quiet udet omat chhissaint liness.Themor eangelicheget s,t hemor ebent andmisshapenIbecome.IfIlaugh,Ichor t leloudly,split t ingmysides,andwhenIcr y,it samonsoondeluge,showingnosignofceasing.Ifunct ion on a shor tfuse; even t he smallestt hingget smefumingandfr ot hing,atmysaint -likehusband,wit hout asyllablebeingut t er ed.Imwellawar eonsuchoccasionst hat it sallmyfault but he,inhisquiet andgent leway(wit houtknowing,hear ingor under st andingwhyImfur ious),says,It sOK,or ,Sosor r yOur neighbor ssayt hat t odat et heyhavent hear dhisvoicer aised.It st r ue;whenIhavent hear dit insidet hehouse,howcananyonesenseit out side?Takefor inst ance,aSunday;ifIseehimleaving,nomat t er howhar dIr esist ,I cant helpasking, Ar eyougoingsomewher e?Yes . Wher e?Out .Out ,wher e?I wast omeet someoneWho?Youdont knowhim.OK.Whenwillyour et ur n?Imaycomebacksoon,or it mayt aket ime.See,didnt It ellyouear lier softspoken,manoffewwor ds.Tellme,ist hisanyexcuset ofr et or hit t her oof?No, r ight ? ButI dontmiss t he oppor t unit yt ost ar t anar gument .Tohellwit hhisequanimit ywhenIwant t osquabble!Onet ime,Igot downt oit pr et t yfast .July-September 2009 :: 25Isaid,Younever event alkt ome.Al l t h et i me, i t s n ews p a p er s , TV,comput er , phones. Hekept t henewspaper saside,t ur nedofft heTVandsaidinmat ur ed,measur edt ones, Im sor r y. OK, t ell me whatshouldIt alkabout ?Tel l me, d on t you t h i n kh ei scomplianceper sonified?Heisaskingmet ot ellhimwhat heshouldt alkaboutwit hme.But wh en i t camet osuggest i n gsomet hin g, mymin ddr ewablan k.Ner vouslyIt r iedt ocomeupwit hat opicIcouldint r oducebut noluck.Igot incr easinglyanxious;hewaswait ingfor meandIcouldnt comeupwit han yt hin g.Falt er ing,Isaid,Ar ey,ift her esnot hingelse,t ellmeabout your dayinoffice.Somanybigt hingsmust haveoccur r ed.Tellmeabout t hem.Yes, sur e, he said and t r ied t o r ecall.Then,inanevent one,hebegant ellingmeasIpr epar edt olist enat t ent ively.When he r eached t he office in t he mor ning,hispeon,Pyar elal,hadgoneoff,likea l wa ys , t oget t oba ccol ea ves fr omanot her peon,Kamt a.Thewomanat t heswit chboar dcameinlat e.Byt ent hir t y,t hepackingdepar t ment wasongoslowmodebecauseofwhicht heconsignmentt hat shouldhavebeenloadedbyt hr eet hir t ywasst illbeingloadedt illfivet hir t y,infact ,fivefor t y-five.Thet r uckshadt owait longer .Tensionsbet weent hepackingdepar t ment andt heloadingpeopler emainedhighbecauseofallt his.Cashier Bar uhaext endedhisvacat ionandsever albillscouldnt ber eimbur sed.Makhija,t heassist ant at t hechemicallab,wasagaincaught st ealingsomecult ur es.Meanwhilet her ewasapowercut for anhour -and-a-halft het ankerat Rehmat ganjbr okedown.Ther ewasabudget meet ingfr omt hr eet hir t yandt henIhear ,ShouldIt alkmor eor ist hisenough?Hisinquir ingt onewr enchesmeoutofmyt or por .Uff!Ihadfor got t ent hatIhadaskedhimt ot alk.Hewasgivingmet hislong,fait hfulaccount ofhisofficedr amat oobligeme,wher eas,Ihadhear dt hefir st t wosent encesandt hendr ift edoff.Whoknows,maybeIfellasleep.Ihadnt managedt ohear or under st andmu ch . I s n t t h i s t h el i mi t ofmyimpolit enesst hat fir st Iat t ackhimwit hdemandsandquest ionsandt henyawnandget dist r act edwhilehet r iest oappeasemewit happr opr iat eanswer s.Nowhewasfor cedt oaskifweshouldt alksomemor e.I feltdeject ed and t o save t he sit uat ionsaid,Let it be.Youmust bet ir ed.Illmakesomet ea.ShouldI?Hehadt ur nedont heTVonceIdeclinedhisoffer ofmor econver sat ion,andwaswat chingit ser enely.Hehadnthear dmyquest ionfor t ea.Iwait edforawhileandt henaskedagain,Doyouwant t ea?OK,Illdr inksome,heanswer ed,inaquiet voice.26 :: July-September 2009Iwalkedt owar dst hekit chenlikeasmar t andr esponsiblewife;put t hepot ont hest ove.Suddenly,out ofaplaceIdidnt knowexist ed,awaveofexasper at ionr osewit hinme,asifIwashavingafit ;asifallt hefunct ioningr at ionalit ywasbeingexplodedmoleculebymolecule;adest r uct ivebulldozer hadmat er ializedout ofnowher eandwasdet er minedt ot ear downandlevelallt hebuildingsst andinginlinelikewell-behavedschoolchildr en.It seemedt hatIwascont r ollingt hisdest r uct ivefor ceand,at t hesamet ime,alsoscr eaming,alldist r aught ,pleadingfor t hebulldozert ost op.Amidst t heint er nalst r ife,oft hewhyandhow,Icouldmakeoutsomelit t lemeaningWhat doeshemean,Illdr inksome!Ishedoingmeafavor ?Whycant hebelikeot her nor malmenandsimplysay,Yeah,sur e,maket ea.EvenIcanusesomer ight now?Or hecouldhavesaid,Put ginger andblackpepper t oo,makeit r eallyst r ongandspicy,OK?Butt his line of t hinking was point less,t hedaydr eamsobscene,unlawfulevent hesecast lesIbuilt inair hadcomecr ashingdown,wr eckedandr azedt ot hegr ound.What wasleft ,t ackedt ot hedet r it us,wasasickening,depr essingphr ase,Illdr inksome.Thiswast hemir ageofmypr ivat ewor ld.Out side,t hewat er ont hest ovehadbegunt oboil;ont het r ay,asisour cust om,Ihadar r angedt hecupsandsaucer s,t hesugar andmilkpot s.Abr upt ly,onceagain,t hefit seizedme. This t ime t he wat erwas boiling insideme.Theflamelookedwild,leapingint ot heair ,scor chingandsear ingt hingsit t ouched.Ihadnocont r olover mymi n d or bod y, t h ema d d en ed a n dma d d en i n gexa s p er a t i on h a d t a kenchar ge.It r iedt or est r ainmyselfbutt hedelinquent par t t hr ewaspoonfulofpowder edblackpepper int ot heboilingwat eralong wit h t he t ealeaves and gr oundginger .Ashet akest hefir st sip,myhear tispoundinginsidemyheadandIfor gett obr eat he.Hesgoingt osaysomet hingnownownow.Icant wait anymor e.Myimpat ienceget st hebet t er ofme.Wh a t ?Wh a t h a ppen ed?Toomu chp ep p er , r i gh t ?Sa ys a yi t s a ysomet hing!Yes . Iwillmyhear t t ost oppoundingasIaskhim,So?It sallr ight .What ?!Icant believemyear s.Nowt h ei n t er n a l d emon i s l a wl es s ,unmanageable.Allr ight howisit allr ight ? Why dontyou justt ell me honest lyt hat t het eaisnot just spicedwit hblackpepper but soakedinit ?It sadamnedblackpepper soup andIvemadet hisfier ysoupdeliber at ely,sot hat t hesegl a ci a l wa l l s bet ween you a n d mecr umble;sot hat t heicemelt sandwat erflows,andbr ingsinawindt hat r ufflesevenifit ist ur bulent ;wind,wat er ,ice,st or m,t hunder ouscloudsandlight ningJuly-September 2009 :: 27allt oget her .Enoughoft hissaint liness!J ust adash,but Iwant somemadness,anir r at ionalit y,ar eact ion.Iwant t hisar mor ofpr eciousmet alst ocr ackandt h er ea l , a l i ve, br ea t h i n gma n t oemer geIkeepwait ingbut t hest or mdoesntcome;not hunder or light ning;noangr ycloudsor pelt ingr ain.Iget upfr ommyseat ,feelingr emor seful.Ihear myselfsay,Sor r y,I put t oomuchpepper ,Illmakeit again,andIleavet her oomwit ht het eat r ay.Youdont believeme,doyou?EvenI waswat chin g, st un n edan dshell-s h ocked , mya n gel i ch u s ba n d a n dI , d r i n ki n gt e a t oge t h e r , q u i e t l ypea cefully.Suryabala,born1944atVaranasi,U.P.isaknownauthorofshortstories,satiresandnovels.Anumberofhershortstorieshavebeenadaptedfortelevision.ShelivesinMumbai.Pooja Birla graduated from the University of Iowas Nonfiction Writing Programin2007andhasjustreceivedhersecondM.F.A.inLiteraryTranslation.Shehassomeintentionsofbecomingawriter.Shelovestogossip,dotheNYTcrossword,anddrinkchai.ShemissesthemonsoonrainsofBombaybuthasdevelopedadeepappreciationofIowasclearblueskies.28 :: July-September 2009PAPADhirendraAst hanaTr a n s l a t ed b yEishit aSiddhar t hAPANKAKYAHAI/ APANUDDJ AYENGEARCHANA/ DHARTIKODHATA BATA KAR/APAN TOH RAAH LENGE APNI/ PEECHHE CHHOOTJ AYEGI/ GRANASEBHARIAURSAMVEDNASEKHALI/ ISSANSARKI KAHANI .Thelinesoft hepoembyRahulBajajwer ecr eat ingamagicalhypnot ismint hepindr opsilent confer encehallofAir India.Now,t her eadingoft hepoemofRahulbajajwasahar dt hingt ofindfor t hecit y.Enlight enedpeoplefr omfar -fet chedsubur bsusedt ocomebylocal,aut o,bus,t axiandt heir per sonalcart obeawit nesst ot hismoment .Rahulwast hepr ideoft hecit y.Allt heIndianlit er ar yawar dsconfer r edonhimwer esplendidlydisplayedinapr oudsplendor inRahulshouse.Hisst udywasfullwit ht hecelebr at edbooksfr omallar oundt hewor ld.Peoplefr omt henewspaper s,magazinesandT.V.channelsusedt ocomet ohishouseper sist ent lyfor hisint er view.Hismobilephonehadt henumber oft heCM,homeminist er ,gover nor ,cult ur alsecr et ar y,policecommissioner ,page3celebr it iesandpr ominent jour nalist s.Hewasbeingt aught at t heuniver sit ies.Hewasbeinginvit edt o Assam, Dar jeeling, Shimla, Nainit al, Dehr adun, Allahabad, Lucknow,Bhopal,Chandigar h,J odhpur ,J aipur ,Pat naandNagpur .Hewaslivingcont ent edlyinacomfor t ableandluxur ioust wor oombedr oomhallapar t ment int hemir aculouscit yMumbai.Het r avelledinmar ut izen.Hewor eRaymondandBlackBer r ypant s,Par kAvenueandVanHeusenshir t sandRedTapeshoes.Short storyJuly-September 2009 :: 29Hehadcleanedanddest r oyedallt hatwasawful,discolor edandast r ingentint hepast .But ,dot hingsget dest r oyedt hat way!!!!ATTITH KABHI DAURTA HAI ,HUMSEAAGE/ BHAVISHYAKITARAH/ KABHIPEECHHEBHOOTKITARAHLAGJ ATAHAI/ HUMULTELATKEHAINAAGKEALLAVPAR/ AAGHIAAGHAINASONKEBI LKULKAREEB/ AURUNMEBAAROODBHARAHAI.It washisint imat echildhoodfr iendBandhuwhohadst ar t edwr it ingpoemswh i lei n college. An dst oodat t h econfluenceoft henaxalact ivit ies.Butbefor ehecouldexplodeasabombhewasmer cilesslykilledbysomeunknownpeopleint hevalleysofDehr adun.Rahulgot scar ed.Not becausehesawdeat hsocloselyfor t hefir st t ime.But t he24year oldBandhuwast heschoolint helifeoft he20year oldRahul.Helookedupandallt her oadsoft hecit ylookeddeser t edandscar yt ohim.Thebeaut ifulcit yhadbeeninhabit edbysomecur sedghost s.Hewast ot allyaloneandalsounar med.Hewa s s p en d i n gh i s l i feu n d er amon op ol i s t i cs h a d owofh i s p r ou d ,aut ocr at ic,omniscient fat her whowast heowner ofGit aElect r icalswit hsomeundone,unr ipepoems,somesor t ofr evolut ionar yideassomemor alandpur ed r ea ms a n d a p a s s cer t i fi ca t eofint er mediat e.But it wasallsolit t leandoppr essivet hat Rahullost hisway.Thatnight hedr ankt illlat eandcamehomeat midnight .Heusedt odr inkbefor ealsobut t henheusedt ogot oBandhusplace.Rahul r emember ed , clear ly. His fat hert hr ashedhimwit hacur t ainr od.Hecameint hepor chwhilehewasbeat enandfelldownaft er beingknockeddownbyt hehandpump.Thebig,longnailt hatjoins t he handle wit h t he hand pump,passedt hr oughhisst omachandslashedit .Thissixinchblackmar kont her ightsideofhisst omachbr ingsbackt hememor iesofhisfat her ever ymor ningwhen he t akes a bat h. Siddhar t ha vanishedonenight leavinghiswifeandsonandwascalledGAUTAMABUDDHA.Rahulhadclimbedont hesamehandpumpandhadjumpedfr omt hepor cht ot heot her sideoft her oof,inblood,whilehisfat her ,mot her andhist hr eebr ot her sandsist er lookedout fr omt her oomswindowst ar inghor r ified.Ther ewasaseaoffir eont heot her sideandonehadt oswimt hr oughit .Maybemot herfellwit hgr iefaft er war ds.Ihavecar ,bungalowandser vant s.What doyouhave?Amit abhBachchanis asking- wr iggling wit h ar r ogance. ShashiKapoor isquiet .Bakingint hewar mt hofaffect ion.Hesaidwit hadeeppr ide-Ihavemot her .Thear r oganceofAmit abhcr acked.Rahul couldntunder st and. Why didnthehaveamot her ?Rahulwasalsonotablet ounder st andt hat whyint hiswor ldnosonever saysfullwit hpr idet hathehasafat her .Whyafat her andasonar ealwaysst andingat anunseenst r andofconflict .30 :: July-September 2009ABJ ABKIUNGLIYONSEPHISALRAHAHAI J EEVAN/ AURSHARI RSHITHILPADRAHAHAI/ AAOAPANPREMKARENVAISHALI.RahulBajajspoemwasr esoundingin t hecon fer en cer oomofS. N. D. T.WomensUniver sit y.Hegot sur r oundedbyyoungladiesaft er t her ecit at ion.It wast heconfer encehalloft heHi n d i d ep a r t men t oft h eKu ma onUniver sit y.Aft er asinglepoet icr eadingt heheadoft hedepar t ment hadsenthismost int elligent st udent t ot akehimfor ar oundt oseeNainit al.Thisst udenthad a sor tof an emot ional and int ellect ualr elat ionshipwit hRahult hr oughlet t er s.Sheusedt owr it elet t er st ohimaft err eadinghispoemsint hemagazines.Twent yyear sbefor e,ont hest r eet oft hecoldMallRoadt hisgir lKet kiBishtast udent ofM.A.HindihadheldRahulshandandhadaskedsuddenly-Willyoumar r yme?Rahulwasamazed.Thet hr oat wasdr ied up fr om inside. In t his chilly Oct oberoft hehillshisfor eheadwasfullwit ht hedr opsofsweat .Ther ewasanoceanofsur pr iseinhiseyes.Rahulat t hatt imeheldar eput at ionofayoung,gift edandquickt emper edpoet .Heusedt owor kinaweeklynewspaper inDelhi.But wast hisenoughfor mar r iage?Andt henhedidnt knowmuchabout t hegir l.Apar t fr omt hefact t hat shewasbubblingwit hsomer ebelliouskindofnot ions,t hat ,t hechallengesoflifefilledher wit hadesir et olive.Her eyeswer ebr immingwit hint enseconfidence.WillIbeablet omakemydr eamsst andont heir legswhileIwalkont hislaneofconfidence?Rahult hought andpeepedinKet kiseyes.Yes!!Ket kisaidandst ar t edsmiling.Yes!!RahulsaidandkissedKet kisfor ehead.Thenear bycr owdst ar t edhalt inginast onishment .Twent yyear sbefor eit wasasur pr isingt hing.Specially,inasmallt ownlikeNa i n i t a l . Mr . Bi s h t sd a u gh t er . . Mr . Bi s h t sd a u gh t er . . r u mor s r a nt hr ought heair .But t henext mor ningint hepr esenceoft h eBi sh t san dt h eh eadoft h edepar t ment RahulandKet kibecamehusbandandwife.Thever ysameeveningRahulandKet kicamebackt oDelhi-t ost ar t t heir lifeinasmallr ent edr oominSar ojiniNagar .Sit t inginachair int heconfer encehallofS.N.D.Taft er t heaut ogr aphsessionRahulcouldseehispast r unningaheadofhim.Rahulwascomingdownt hest air satt he Andher i st at ion. Vikas was climbingt hest air s.Heheldacigar et t einhisfinger s.RahulheldVikasbyhisfist .Thecigar et t edr oppedont hegr ound.Rahul dr agged Vikas and t ook him out sidet hest at ion.Aft er r eachingasecur edcor nerhe leftVikass fistand said pant ing-It oldyou,t ohaveyour lifesfir stpegandfir st cigar et t ewit hme.DidntI say so? Yes!! Vikass voice fell. t hen?Rahulasked.Vikaslower edhisneckandsaidslowly-Sor r ypapa!It wont happenagain.Rahulsmiled.SaidYouhaveafr iendlikePapa.Appr eciat eit .andJuly-September 2009 :: 31t henbot hoft hemwent t heir r espect iveways.Vikaswasafir st year st udent int heJ J Collegeofar t s,Mumbai.Ket kiwant edt omakehimadoct or but Rahulsawt hear t ist icinclinat ionofhissonandsoaft er hedidhishighschoolwit hsciencehegavehimt heper missiont odoint er inar t sandt hent akeadmissioninJ J .Hewant edt obeacommer cialar t ist .Int hosedaysRahulwasanedit orinadailynewspaper .It washisdailyr out inet ocomeint hemidnight andt hensleept illlat eint hemor ning.OneSundaymor ningheaskedKet ki,Vikasisnowher et obeseen.Finally,your emember your son?Ket kiwasst andingholdingasat ir ict hr ead.but t hehouseisyour sfr omt h ever ybegi n n i n g. Rah ulr epli ed-unaffect ed.Thisisnot ahome.Ket kiwasbit t er .Aft er alongt imeshegotachancet obeapar t ofaconver sat ion.It saguest house.AndImt hehousekeeper .Only,ahousekeeper .Rahulwasnot inamoodt obeinvolved.TheCEOhasent r ust edhimwit h a r esponsibilit y of making t he out lineoft hePuneedit ion.Aft er lunchint heaft er noonhewant edt oshut himselfupi n h i s s t u d ya n d d ot h er equ i r edhomewor k.HecalledupVikassmobile.Papa.it wasVikasont heot herside.Sonwher ear eyou?Rahulwasabit st er n.Papa,IhaveashowinRasber r yinBandr anext Monday.That swhyImat myfr iendKapilsplacesinceaweek.Rehear salsar egoingon.Rehear sal?What show?Papadoyouever r emember anyt hingexcept your self.It wasonlylast mont ht hat It oldyout hat Ihavejoinedar ockband.Rehear salscanbedoneat homealso.Rahulwasget t ingagit at edliket ypicalfat her s.Papayoufor got event his.Asor tofsat ir est ar t edfloat inginVikassvoicet oo.Onlyfewdaysbefor ewhenIwaspr act isingat homeyouscoldedmesobadlysaying-it shomeandnot aplacefor dancingandsinging.Shut up!!!Rahulswit chedofft hemobile.HesawKet kiwaslookingathimsat ir ically.Helower edhishead.Hewasgoingt ohisst udyslowly.Ket kiwasfollowinghim.What ??? Rahul asked and discover edt hathis voice was br eaking. This br eakingcont ainedasor t ofpainasifsomeexp er i men t h a s been p r ovedunsuccessful.YoufailedRahul.Ket kiseyeshadt heyear soldconfidence.Youalsot hinksoKet ki??Rahult ookoffhisshir t andvest .Doyouwant t hat Vikasshouldt hinkofmelikeIdofor myfat her whenIseet hismar konmyst omach!No. 32 :: July-September 2009Then?Rahulhadpaininhisvoice-I t r iedt ogiveVikasademocr at icat mospher e.Iwant edhimt ot akemeashisfr iendnot ashisfat her .Afat her cannot beafr iendRahul.Hecanbehavelikeafr iendbut heisafat her aft er all.Andhemust beafat her .Ket kicomplet edher sent enceswift lyandwent out oft hest udy.Rahul collapsed in his r estchair . Whenhedidnt get upt illlat et henext mor ningKet kicalledt hefamilydoct or .Doct ort old-Bloodpr essur ehasmadeaholeinhislife.Rahulseyeswer efilledwit hsur pr ise.Hedidn t smoke. Hedr an kalcoholoccasionally.Henever usedt oeat fr iedor oilyfood.Henever usedt odr inkevenwat er out sidehishome.Thenhow?heaskedKet ki.But t illt henKet kihadalr eadyleftfor t hemar ket t opur chaset hemedicinespr escr ibedbyt hedoct or .Aft er exa ct l yon eweekoft h edisast r ouscollapseoft hewor ldt r adecent r einAmer icaon11t h.Sept ember2001RahulBajajwasr emember edbyhissonVikasat elevenp.m.int henight .Int hosedaysRahulusedt owor kinanewschannelasaninput edit or andlivedinDelhialongwit hhiswife.Int hischannelsjobleaveasideVikas,evenKet kiusedt ospr ingupinhiseyeslikesomesor t ofafor got t enmemor y.Hehadleft Vikasallaloneinhiswellset t ledhomeinMumbai. Vikashadst ar t edwor kingasavisualizer inamult inat ionalcompanysMumbaioffice.UsuallyVikassmobileusedt obenotr eachable.Infift eent went ydayswhenher emember edhismot her heusedt ocallher onDelhislandlineandchat t edwit hher .It wast hr oughKet kit hat Rahulusedt oknowt hat Vikasisdoingwell.Hisjobisgoodandhehasbecomear isingr ocksinger .Heusedt ot ellhismot her t hat t hehousemaint enanceisbeinggivenont ime,andt hat t hebillsoft helandlineandpower ar ebeingdulypaid.Thepeopleat t hesociet ymisst hemandt hat hehaspur chasedasecondhandmot or cyclefr omoneofhisfr iendsininst alment s.Heusedt ot ellt hat t hecr owdint heMumbailocalsisbecominglifet hr eat ening.Nowit sdifficult t oboar dandde-boar dnomat t er what t het imeis.Thet r ait sofawellt odomiddleincomefamilywer epr esent evenher e.andevent her e.Rahulwaspassinghislife.AndsowasKet ki.Ket kihadst ar t edgivingsomet uit ionsinDelhit obebusy.That swhyt hecallfr omVikashadmovedRahul.BaapuVikaswasunder t hei n t oxi cat i on ofaffect i on , alcoh olan dfr eedom-Baapu,wealsohadour headoffi cei n t h ewor l d t r a d ecen t r e.Ever yt hingisfinished.Theoffice,andt heboss.Madamhasclosedt heMumbaiofficebysendingane-mail.Now?Rahult r iedt obeincont r ol-Nowwhat willyoudo?What elseIlldo,Illst r uggle.Fort het imebeingIhaveamont hsnot iceJuly-September 2009 :: 33salar ywit hme.Aft er t hat wewillsee.Vikasseemedr eassur ed.Youdoonet hing,youlockt hehouseandcomet oDelhi.Illfit youinmychannel.Aft er manydayst her esoundedaconcer nedfat her int heallt imebusyandpr ofessionalvoiceofRahul.What papa.maybeVikasgotir r it at ed-at t imesyout alkwhat t hings.Myca r eer , myd es i r e, myp a s s i onever yt hingisher eyouwant met oleaveallt hisandcomet her e,wher eever ybodygoesofft osleepat eightoclock.Wher epower comesscar cely.Ohshit .Ihat et hat cit y.Vikaswasbeingdeluded.mummykeepst ellingmeabout t hepr oblemst her e.Illst ayher e.IloveMumbai,youknow.Next mont hImgoingt oPunewit hmybandfor ashow.What ever youwish.Rahulgaveup.ift her esanypr oblemt hendoinfor m.Welldone.Nowt hat sliket oughguys. Vikas gave a guffaw and said again-Takecar e. byeRahulwasdishear t ened.Het r iedt ogi veh i ms el fcon s ol a t i on . Aft er a l lever yt hingist her einMumbaishouse.T. V. , fr i dge, comput er , VCDplayer ,wa s h i n gma ch i n e, ga s , d ou bl ebed ,war dr obe,sofa,bedding.Our soniscapableenought oear nhismealsfort wot imes.Het r iedt obeat peacewit hhimselfbut somet hingwast her et hatwasmakingaholeinhispeace.Hecamebackhomeaft er somet ime.Whenhewascomi n gbackh ecalledupt h esecr et ar yoft hesociet yandr equest edhim t hatif t he maint enance is notr eceivedont imeheshouldgivehimamissedcall.Themoneywillbet r ansfer r edint hesociet ysaccount .Het henr equest edt hesociet yssecr et ar yt ot akecar eofVi ka s . Secr et a r ywa s a s i kh . Goodhumor ed,hesaid-Youdont wor r y.Your sonisfine.Iseehimsomet imesonbikesayingBYEUNCLE.Ket kiwasast onishedwhenshesawRahulbackhome.It wasonlyelevenfor t yfive.Rahulnever usedt ocomebefor et wo.It wasVikasscall.Rahult oldHehaslost hisjobbut t her esnot hingmucht owor r y. Then!!Ket kicouldnt compr ehendan yt hin g.Hewasdr unk.Rahullower edhishead.Hisvoiceseemedsodist ant asif coming fr om t he ot herside of a cent ur y.Smear edinashes,dullandhelpless.Itseemedasifoneoft hecoalsspar kedafr eshamongst t hedyingcoalsinsideKet ki.MaybeRahulsvoicepr ovidedt heneededair .Whenwewer ecomingt oDelhi,It oldyounot t oleaveVikasallaloneinMumbai.Ket kidont t alklikefools.Whenchildr engr owupt heygot oLondon,Amer ica,Ger manyandJ apan.J obscomeandgo.Andt hen,wear est illliving.Rahulsat ont hesofaandst ar t edt akingoffhisshoes.It snot abigissuet hatheisdr unk.Aft er allheisayoung34 :: July-September 2009chapoft went yt wo.Sot hen!!Ket kiaskedWhyar eyoulookingwor r ied??AmIwor r ied?Rahult oldalie,Vikasisfacinganadver sesit uat ionfort het imebeing.Heisat alent edboy.Hewillget anot her job.Ifheisnotgoingt ost r ugglenow,whenishegoingt odot hat ?Heneedst ogr owupt hr oughhisownexper iencesandr ealit y.It sfor yout oknow.Ket kit ookadeepbr eat h.Hopet hesebeliefsdon ot deceiveyou. Dontwor r y. Im her e. Rahul smiled.Thenhewent t ohisbedr oomt osleep.Rahulusedt ohavehisdinner inhisoffice.That night Rahuldidonlyt wot hings.Her olledfr omr ight t oleft andfr omleft t or ight .Themor ningwasbusyasusual.Newspaper s,phone,news,newschannel,i n t er vi ew, a d mi n i s t r a t i vep r obl ems ,cont r over sy,mar ket ingst r at egy,bur eaucoor d i n a t i on , or d er , i n s t r u ct i on ,t ar get aconst ant chaosoft went yfour hour swasfor ever pr esent .Int hischaost imeusedt oflylikewindandsensibilit iesmelt awaylikewax.Amongst allt hesepr eoccupat ionst heDecember ofDelhicame.Shiver ingwit hcold,fogandr ain.Vikascouldnt becon t a ct ed a n yh ow. Th ep h on ekep tr ingingat home.Whensomespecialdishwascookedat homehishear t skippedabeat .Dont knowwhat Vikaswouldhaveeat en!Thefooddeclinedt ogodown t he t hr oat . Ket ki used t o t ake shelt erunder Kumar Gandhar vaandBheemsenJ oshi.Sheusedt ot r yVikassmobile.Sheusedt ocallt hewifeoft hesociet yssecr et ar yandask-HowisVikas?Ther eusedt obeasoler eply-Havent seenhimsincemanydays.Illaskhimandcallyou.But shedidnt call.WhenKet kiusedt olookat Rahulwit hher dist r essedeyes,heusedt osay-Nonewsisgoodn ews. What kindofafat her ar eyou?Ket kifinallycollapsedonenight -Ther esnonewsofour sonsincet hr eemont hsandyouar eenjoying. Ket ki!!Rahulheldher at her vit alspot .Iwast went yyear soldwhenIleft myh omean dr an away. Fr omDeh r a d u n . Th en I ma r r i ed you . Ist r uggledandear nedaposit ionformyself.Ofcour seyouwer ealwayst her ewit hme.Wewent fr omDehr adunt oDelhi,fr omDelhit oLucknow,fr omLucknowt oGowahat iandfr omGowahat it oMumbai.And,againwear einDelhi.Didit cr ossyour mindfor oncet hatevenIhadafat her .That evenIwasason?But wher edoIfigur einallt hismat t er Rahul?Ket kipr ot est ed.It wasbet weenyouandyour fat her .But Iminvolvedher e.ImVikassmot her .Myhear t keepswhizzingallt het ime.It hinkIshouldgot oMumbaifor afewdays.Fine.Rahulgot ser ious.Illdosomet hing.Ra h u l fl ewfor Mu mba i byt h eaft er noonflight of12:35ont hefir stJuly-September 2009 :: 35dayoft henewyear .Hehadt hekeysoft hehouseinhisbr iefcaseandt hedebit andcr edit car dsoft hr eebanksinhispur se.Thehouseseemedst r ikinglyfaded,sad,anar chicalandr uined.Rahulshousewhich he had given t o Vikas as a keepsake.Thenameplat eat t hedoor wasobviouslyinRahulsnamebut insideit wascast ingit sshadowslikeahandicappedhousekeeper .SlowlyRahulst ar t edget t ingscar ed-Imbeingmadefr omt heot her sideandbeingdemolishedfr omt hisside.Rahul t hought . The dar kness of t he t went yfir st cent ur ywasadamant for st ayinginhisbodyliket hefut ur e.Hisbeliefs,hismor als,hist hought sinwhicht heeducat edlot oft hecount r ybelieved,wer elyingscat t er edinhisver yownhouseamongst t hedir t y,filt hyclot hesofVikas.Thebookshelvesint hehallwer e cover ed wit h spiderwebs and lizar dswer er est inginpeacet her e.Hepickedupt her eceiver oft hephone-it wasdead.That meanst hebellusedt or ingint heexchangeoffice.Thep r eci ou s a n d exp en s i vewor ks ofNagar juna,Nir ala,andMukt ibodhalongwit ht hecollect edwor ksofKalidasaseemedt obepant ingunder cent ur iesolddust .Anelect r onicguit ar waslyinglopsidedont hesofa.Ther ewer et hr eeasht r aysont heT.V.,inwhicht her ewasnot evenapinchofspacefor ash.Ther ewer eempt ycigar et t epacket slyingint hecor ner alongt heshowcase.Theshoeswer eleavingt heir impr int sont hefloorwhilemoving.Rahulcameinside-wit hast r ongappr ehension.Ther ewer emanyempt ycansof20lit er sbisler yplacedinar owont hekit chenplat for m-empt y,wit hout cover . Thecover - lidoft hewashingmachinewasopenandit wascompl et el yfi l l ed wi t h Vi ka s s d i r t yclot hes.Ther ewer est ainsofoilandspices on t he cur t ains. Ther e wer e post er sof some for eign singer s in foolish post ur esst uckont hedoor soft hebat hr oomandt oilet .Rahulsst udyr oomwasclosed.Thecomput er andpr int er int hebedr oomwasmissing.Rahulopenedt hedoor ofhisst udywit ht hekey-it wasdust y,humidanddampbut sinceit wasclosedt her oomwasasit was-just t hewayRahulhadleft it .Thist ir ed,await ingandsadr oomseemedt obegivingRahulasor t ofconsolat iont hat allwasnotlost .Rahulsat inhisr evolvingchairlyinginfr ont ofhiswr it ingt ableandst ar t edmakingafut ileeffor t ofcallingVikassmobilewhicht ohissur pr isest ar t edr inging.Hello, itwas Vikas, sounding exact lylikeRahul,vanishedsincet hr eemont hs.Papa,Vikasshout ed-Howar eyou?Howismom?What doyoucar e?, Rahulgotir r it at ed.Papa, mymobilewasdead, gotwor kingjust daybefor eyest er day.Iwasgoingt ot ellyou.Goodnews!Igot ajobjust daybefor eyest er dayinRelianceinfocom.Payisfift eent housand.Iwas36 :: July-September 2009goingmadwit hout ajobsincet hr eemon t hs. I n bet ween I met wit hanaccident .Iwasint hehospit alfor fift eendays.Bikegot damaged.Soldit asjunk.Vi kaswasgoi n gon t elli n gwi t h outst opping,wit hout anygr ief,painor guilt .J ust likeplainnews.Youdidn t in for musabout t heaccident ,Rahulwassuddenlyseizedbyst r angemelancholy.What wouldhavehappenedt hen?Vikaswasgivinglogic. Your bloodpr essur ewouldhaver isen.Youpeoplewouldhavecomeher er unning.But it st hemedicinest hat wouldhavecur edmeevent ually!Then,myfr iendswer eher e.What usewouldt hesebast ar dsbe!!!Youwouldhavebeent er r ifiedifyouhadseenmepapa.Theleft eyewasawful.It wascomplet elybulgingout .Ther ewer esevenst it chesont hefor ehead.Lipwasslashed.Ever yt hingisfinenow.Fr omwher edidt hemoneycome?Rahulasked.Fr iendsgaveit .Hadt osellt hecomput er .NowIllpayt hemslowly.Andfor howlongyouhavenot beenh ome. Maybe,sinceeight or t endays.Vikast oldsoot hingly.Andt hehousest elephone?It sdead.Vikassaid-Fr omwher ewouldIpayt her ent ?It washar dt omanagefood.Event hemaint enancewouldnothavebeenpaid?Yes.Vikassaid.Dont yout hinkyoushouldhavet oldallt his?Rahulgot ir r it at ed.Ist hist hewayyour gener at ionbehaveswit hmot her sandfat her s?Papa,dont st ar t givinglect ur es.Vikasalsogot ir r it at ed. Nobodyisst ealingt hehouse?Finallyt her esajob,Illgiveever yt hing.Nowlist en,let met alkt omom.MomisinDelhi.InDelhi?Sowher ear eyou?Vikasgot abit amazed.InMumbai.Inmyhouse.Rahulsaid.Okbye.Illcomeint heevening.Vikasdisconnect edt hephone.Ther ewasast r eakofavibr at ioninhisvoicefort hefir st t ime.What ist hediffer ence?Rahulwasaskinghimself.J ust likeIr anawayfr ommyhomeVikasisawayfr omhome-livinganddyingaccor dingt ohischoice.Inhisown,par allelwor ld.Hewast iedwit hhismummy-papabysomeimper cept iblet hr ead,but event hist hr eadwasmissinginRahulswor ld.When,aft er sevenyear spapadiedinJ odhpur wit hbr aincancer ,mombr okeher silence.Onhismot her sor der shisyounger br ot her foundout hisaddr essandsent himat elegr am-Fat her isnomor e.I fyouwant youcancome.Hedidnt go.Iffat her wasout ofhislife,ifmot her ,wasnt ablet or emainamot her ,ifhisbr ot her sandsist er hadJuly-September 2009 :: 37disownedhim,sowhywouldhaveRahulgonet oopent hedoor ofaclosedwor ld?Whenhewasjumpingout oft hehouse,immer sedinblood,couldnt hismot herhavecomefor war dandpr event edhisexit .Didt hisnot ionever cr osst hemindofhisfat her howanint er passt went yyear oldboyissur vivingint hiswor ld?RahulBajajfoundt hat at ear hadr olleddownfr omhisleft eyeont ohischeek.Maybet heleft eyeisconnect edt ot hehear t andt her ight eyet ot hemind.Rahult hought andt hensmiledat hisfinding.Wit ht hehelpoft wohousemaidst hehousewasset inor der byevening.Thesecr et ar yoft hesociet yhadchanged.ThenameofRahulBajajwassplendidlywr it t enont henot iceboar dint helistofallt hosewhohavenot paidt hemaint enance. Rahul clear ed all t he ar r ear sandgavepost dat edchequesfor t hecomingt welvemont hst ot hesecr et ar y.Healsodeposit edachequeoft hr eet h ou s a n d combi n i n gt h ep r evi ou sfour t eenhundr edandt hefor t h-comings i xt een h u n d r ed i n t h eel ect r i ci t yaccount .Healsogavet heapplicat iont ot hesecr et ar yfor t hesur r ender oft het elephonealongwit hacr osscheque.Hesent allt hedir t yclot hesofVikast ot helaundr y.Hesoldt heT.V.,fr idgeandwashingmachinet ooneofKet kisfr iendsfor asumoft ent housandr upees.Hewasinvit edbyt hissamefr iends(Revat i)husbandLalit Tiwar ifor dinner .Vikascameat eight oclockint henight .Hehadbought abot t leofBagPiper alongwit hhimself.It syouwhosaid,havet hefir stpegwit hme.Vikassaid.That didnthappenbut wewillsaycheer st oget hert ocelebr at emynewjob.Agr eed!!!,Rahulwasunchanged.Imlockingt hehouseandgoingout .Willdo,Vikaswasnot evenabitwor r ied.MyofficeisinMar ol.It isnot possibleanymor et ocat chat r ainfr omAn dh er i for Meer aRoad. I mt hinkingofbecomingapayingguestsomewher enear myoffice.Vikasdidnt got oRevat iandLalit shousefor dinner .Heor der edachickenbir yanifr omPushpakhot elfor himself.Next mor ningwasSunday.Vikaswasr eadywhenRahulwokeup.Hehadmadeadoubleomelet for hisfat her .Wher e?Rahulasked.Ihavemyr ehear sal.Vikassaid.Todayismyshowint heeveningatsevenp.m.inRasber r yat Bandr a.Cant Icomeint hat show?Rahulasked.Wh a t ?Vi ka swon der ed. Youllcomet owat chmyshow!But youandmu mmya r et h et yp es for Ku ma rGandhar va,BheemsenJ oshi!!Aft er all,what yousingisalsoakindofmusic.Rahulint er vened.Yes!hepunchedwit hhisfist sint heair .Illwait .Thenhepickeduphisguit ar andwent downt hest air s.For alongt imeRahulwasper plexed38 :: July-September 2009wit ht hest udswhichhunginVikassear sandwit hhisshor t ,spikedcolor edhair .WhenKet kicalleduphewasunablet ofigur eout ast owhohewaswit h-Vikasor himself.Ket kiwassur elywit hVikas-Whenyouhaveclosedt hehousefor himt henwhydont youar r angefor hisfuner alsidebyside.Shewascr ying.Shewasamot her andpossiblyshewaswit hher son.Rahuldoesnt knowwhat amot her is.Hewasnot evenabit movedbyKet kiscr ying.Rasber r y.Adiscot heque,for t henewgener at ionboysandgir ls.Ther ewer epost er sout side-NEWSENSATIONOFINDIAN ROCK SINGER Vikas Bajaj. Rahulbought at icket oft hr eehundr edandwent inside.Ther ewasacr owdofweir dlookingboysandgir ls.Theair wasfilledwit ht hesmellofdr ugs.Beer wasonit shigh.Yout hwasint oxicat ing.Ther ewasapassiont olivefor t hemoment .Thecont our soft hebut t ockswer eclear lyvisiblefr omt hejeansoft hegir ls.Boyswer ewear ingt ight t -shir t s.Their hairwer et ieduplikeplait s.Their muscleswer ebulgingout fr omt heir sleevelesst -shir t s.Thebr east soft hegir lswer emoving like t ennis balls inside t heirshir t s-fr eefr omt heclut chesoft heir br a.MaybeRahulwast heonlyadult t her ewhomt hecr owdofRasber r ysawwit hcur iouseyesfr omt imet ot ime.Aft er ashor t announcement Vikascame ont o t he st age- along wit h his guit ar .Bending his neck ont o his knees he st ar edsingingsomesor t ofanear deafeningsongt hat filledt hehallwit happlause,t hegir lsswayedandt heboysst ar t eddancingpassionat ely.Thissor t ofaboyhasbeenmadeoutof him? Rahul t houghtand was dr awnint oacor ner byt heconst ant pushingoft heboysandgir ls.Thecr owdwentnost algicandst ar t edshout ingOncemor e forVikas. Rahuls hear twas slashedint ot wo.HecalledupKet kiandsaidslowly,Canyouhear t henoise?It st henoiseofVikasssuccess.Idont knowwhet her Imhappyor sad.For t hefir stt imeafat her isver yuncer t ainKet ki.Hedisconnect edt hephoneandst ar t edlookingat Vikas.Hecameout aft er t hebr eak.Vikasalsocameout sayingHiguys!Hellogir ls!hehadacigar et t einhismout h.Het ouchedRahulsfeet andsaidImver yhappyt hat myfat her isshar ingmyhappiness.Mychild.Rahulembr acedVikas,Behappywher ever youar e.Ihavet ogonow.Myflight isat t enfift een.Youwillget allyour ir onedclot hesfr omRevat iaun t yshouse. RahulBajajst hr oat hadchoked-Wher ewillyoust ayfr omt omor r ow?ShouldIleavet hekeysoft hehouse..?Befor eafat her insideRahulBajajmelt ed,Vikaswasbeingcalledonst age.Heagaint ouchedRahulsfeet andsaid,Dont wor r yabout mepapa!Imliket his.Yougo.Best ofjour ney.Sor r y.Vikaswavedhishand,Icant comet ot heair por t .Givemylovet oMaa.Vikaswent inside,amidt hecr owd,t hefr enzyandt henoise.July-September 2009 :: 39It wasver ydar kout side.Int hisdar knessRahulBajajwasver ylonely,helplessandconfused.Helongedt obewit hever ybodybut hewaswit hnoone.Hehadneit her fat her nor mot her .Nowhedidnt haveevenhisson.Andaft err eachingDelhievenKet kiwasgoingt oleavehim.Rahulst oppedat axi,satinit andsaid,Sant acr uzair pot .Asongwasbeingplayedint het axi-BABULMORANAIHARCHHOOTOHIJ AAYE!!!!!!!!!!!!DhirendraAsthana,born1956isacreativewriterandajournalist.Rightfromhisfirstcollectionofshortstorieslog-hashiyepartohislatestnoveldesh nikala. Asthana has exuded a confidence of expression and experimentation.Healsowritesforfilms.EishitaSiddharth,born1984,ispursuingapostgraduatecourseinEnglishliteratureatLucknowUniversity.ShehasalreadycompletedherDiplomainFrench.Sheisinterestedinliteratureandtranslatesatwill.LivesinLucknow.40 :: July-September 2009DHAMPURMeer aKantTr a n s l a t ed b yRanjanaKaulWonder whydaysandnight sar eanunalienablepar t oflife,justlikelegends.Theyfolloweachot her oneaft er anot her ,neverseemingt oend.Expendingt heir livespur suingeachot her .Doest henight chaset heday,or isit t hedaywhichwander sar oundlookingfor t henight swhichsucceedsor r owfuleveningsr et r eat ingfr omdaylight .Thedar knessincr eases,swallowingt hedoor sandwindowsoft hehousewhole,wit hout evenst oppingt ochewt hemup.It isahungr ybeggar ,Nit yat hought t oher selfasshet ur nedover ont hebed.Ther oot soft hemindar ealsover ydar k,ent angledwit honeanot her .Howcanoneseet hr oughsuchdar kness.!Theysayt her ear esevensubt er r aneanwor ldsbelowt heear t h.Howmanysuchwor ldsliebelowt her ealmoft hemind!HowcanNit yadealwit ht het ur moilinsideher ?Allshecandoist ur nr est lesslyfr omsidet osidelikesomeonest ir r ingapot ofboilingmilkt opr event it fr omspillingover .It seemst hisfir eandt hist umult willonlyebbwit ht hedawn.Ever yoneawait st hegleamofdaybr eakevenifit isst r ickenwit hfr ost .Shewillalsoseeadawnt omor r ow.Timewhichisjust afewhour sawayisalsocalledt omor r owbut t henwhat elsecanitbecalled?J ust asher houseiscalledahomebecauseit isone.So,t omor r owshehast ogobackhome.Her ownhome.Sher emember sat imewhent hiswor dhomewaslikeabeaut ifulr ecur r ent dr eaminher mind.Homeisanaspir at ion,adesir e,andhavingoneofyour ownisapr ofoundexper ience.Thisiswhat shehadwr it t enwit halipst ickononeoft helar gemir r or edShort storyJuly-September 2009 :: 41door soft healmir aht hat daywhenshehadfir st decor at edChan dr amohan sr oominGhaziabadandmadeit int oahome.Today,whydoest hesamewor dhomebubbleinher mindlikeboilingr ice. Suddenly, she satup and t oldher selfnot t ot hinkabout allt his.Tomor r owshehast or et ur nhome,her ownhome.Shehadnot ar t iculat edt hesewor dsint henight ,howwouldher ear sseet hesewor dsint hedar kness?So,herear sr emainedobliviousjust likehermind.Shepickedupher pillowandcameout int ot heopen.Per hapsher mindwouldbeablet obr eat hemor efr eelyher e. Shespr eadout t her ushmatst andingagainst awalloft hecour t yar d,placedher pillowonit andt r iedt oliedown.Themoon,shiningwit ht hemildluminosit yoft het hir t eent hdayoft hedar khalfoft helunar mont h,seemedt obelookingat her .Int hatdimlight shefelt ast houghshehadbecomeanimageofst oneor anancientr uinwhichlivesbot hint hepast andint hepr esent .Anoldyellowedmemor yfloat edint oher mind.Pr abhabuasit t ingonast r ingbedont her oofoft hisver yhouseembr oider ingapillowslipandyoungNit yasit t ingwit hanopenbookinherlapadmir ingt hewor dWelcomeandt her osesembr oider edont hepillowcover .Pr abhabuawaswor kingont hegr eent hor nsar oundt her ose.Buahowdoesonedosuchbeaut ifulembr oider y?HowwouldIknowaskt heneedle.Wr inkling up hernose in disgustNit yabur iedher noseint hebook.Pr abhabuawassmiling.Pullingt het hr eadupwar dswit ht heneedlesheasked-Ar eyour eadingast or y?Isit good?HowwouldIknowaskt hebook!Nit yaanswer edlaughingsoupr oar iouslyat her ownwit t hat Pr abhabuast oppedher wor kt ost ar eat her .Andt henherlaught er wasnolonger solit ar y.Nit yaschildhoodwascloselylinkedt oPr abhabua.What wasPr abhabuasr elat ionshipwit hher ,apar t fr ombeinganaunt ,her fat her ssist er ?Shewasanelder sist er ,ayounger mot her ,anolder fr iend,maybeever yt hingor not hingat all,becauseliket heot her sevenNit yadid notknow wher e Pr abha bua.! Nit yast hought sabr upt lyshiver edt oahalt .She r emember ed t he let t ersentby Pr abhabuamanyyear sagofr omDhampur inwhichshehadwr it t enonlyonequot at ioni n h er beaut i fulsmallh an dwr i t i n g-Wit hinallofusliesanimmeasur ablespacewhichhasnot beenmappedorexplor ed.Ifwewant t ounder st andt het ur bulenceandt ur moilwhichexist insideuswemust payat t ent iont ot hisimmensespaceaswell.At t heendshehadwr it t en-Iamnot wr it ingt henameoft heaut horbecauseyoudont havet oappear foranexamnor doesit makeanydiffer ence.Shehadnot evensignedher ownnameat t hebot t omoft helet t er .Per hapst hatwasofnosignificanceeit her !Thewor ldoft hemindisfulloft heclamour ofimages,event sandwor ds.42 :: July-September 2009Thesefr equent lybumpint oeachot herevenast heyat t empt t oavoidcont act .Somet imesawor dsear chesfor animagewhichsit sleaningit sheadupont heshoulder s of an event , oran image pur suesahappeningwhichhidesmot ionlessint heshadowofagr oupofwor ds.Today,int hedimlight oft hemoon,r est ingher headupont hepillowslipembr oider edbyher aunt ,Nit yawant st or ecallallt hosemoment swhensher eallydiscover edPr abhabua.But wher ecanshefindt hoselost moment s?Themoment soft hepr esent smilefeeblyast h ou gh a p ol ogi zi n gfor a l l t h os einnumer able moment s which have alr eadybeenmassacr ed.Pr abhabuaoft enusedt osay,Nit u,hist or yisnot meant t obefor got t enbut t ober epeat edlybr oughtt omi n d. Ni t ut r i edt ofollowt h ememor iesoft hepast just asonet r iest ochaset hesuninwint er .But t henhowmuchoft hewint er sundoesonemanaget ocapt ur e!ThefamilyofPr abhabuasfat her ,Kalichar an,hadmovedfr omHapur t oDelhiaft er Kalichar anselder sist er Pr anoDeviwasmar r iedt oAmbikaDut t .Bot ht heseor phanedyoungchildr enhadbeenbr ough t upbyt h ei r un cle. Th oughKalichar anwast woyear syounger t hanhissist er hewasmar r iedoffear lierbecausehisaunt want edhimt omar r yher br ot her sdaught er .However ,it t ookawhilet ofindaboyfor Pr ano.Finally,apr oposalcamefr omAmbikaDut t ofDelhi,amanwhohadalr eadylost t wowives.Their goodlucklayint hefactt hat t hegent lemanhadalr eadyr eceivedt wolavishdowr iesbut hadnochildr en.Thist imehedidnot havemuchint er estindowr y,soPr anoDevi,despit ebeinganor phan,becomeapar t oft hiswellt odohousehold.Pr anoDeviwasdeeplyat t achedt oher younger br ot her ,Kalichar anor Kali.Soon,shemanagedt oper suadeAmbikaDut t t oinvit eKaliandhisfamilyt olive wit h her . Att his momentKalichar ansfamilyconsist edofhiswifeandhisson,Dwar kaPr asad.AmbikaDut t ownedaflour mill.Thewor kwasincr easingever ydayandheur gent lyneededsomeonet ot akeover t hejobofamanager ifhewant edt osavehislifefr ombeingdisfigur edbyt hedust andchaffoft hewh ea t . I n s u ch a s i t u a t i on , i t wa si mp os s i bl efor h i mt oget a mor et r ust wor t hyandr eliablemanager t hanh i s br ot h er - i n - l a w. An d t h en , t h er elat ionship being whatitwas, Kali wouldbeobligedt oaccept anysalar ywit houtquibbling.Hewouldnever havet hener vet oaskfor mor eandPr anoDeviwouldalsor emainper pet uallyindebt edt oherhusband.The r estof Kalichar ans t hr ee childr en,Sar ojBala,Pr ehladPr asadandPr abhaBalawer ebor nint heenvir onsoft heflour millinDelhi.Pr anoDevir uledvi gor ou s l yover t h eh ou s eh ol d a n dAmbikaDut t gover nedt heir liveswit hequalaut hor it y. Whichchildat t endedwhichschoolor college,howmuchheor shest udied,allt hesedecisionswer eult imat elyt akenbyAmbikaDut t .HeJuly-September 2009 :: 43hadonlyonesonwhodidnot bur denhimwit ht henecessit yoft akinganysuchdecisionsonhisbehalf.Thesonleft schoolaft er t heeight hclassandt ookupt her esponsibilit yofbecomingt helocalbully.Hisbehaviour pr ompt edPr anoDevit ospeakt oher husbandandAmbikaDut t immediat elydecidedt oinvolvehimint hewor kingoft hemill.Keepinghisnat ur eanddisposit ioninmindhewasassignedt het askofcollect ingdues,ajobwhichhecheer fullyaccept ed.Gr aduallyhebegant ocont r olallt hefinancesoft heent er pr iseandfillhisownpocket s.Hispoor uncleKalichar anwasleft helplesslyscr ut inizingt heincomplet epagesoft hecompanyaccount sbooks.Hecont inuedt odr awt hesalar ydecideduponmanyyear sagowhich,likeanoldandt at t er edcover ing,bar elyfulfilledt heneedsofhisgr owingfamily.Onemont hDwar kaPr asadwouldgr owout ofit andanot her mont hitwouldbePr ehladPr asad.However ,lifepr ogr essedwit hr elat ivepeaceofmindunder t heshelt er ofPr anoDevisloveandaffect ion.Thefir st voiceofr evolt wasr aisedbyPr ehladPr asadwhenher efusedt owor kint heflour mill.Hehaddecidedt o st udy fora B.Sc. in Physics. The t houghtofdoingaB.A.inAccount slikeDwar kaPr asadanddr eamingoft hemilldayaft er daywasunbear ablet ohim.Hemanagedt oget hiswayasfar ast heB.Scwasconcer nedbut whenhepushedt odohisMast er sAmbikaDut t decidedt oput hisfoot down.Hedecidedt ocut offallfinancialassist ancewhicht heboyr eceivedfr omt hefamily.Pr ehladnowbegant osuppor t hisst udiesbydoingt uit ions.Ther ewasnor ancourinhishear t ,ont hecont r ar y,hewasquit ehappy.Hehadnever imaginedt hathewouldbeablet oescapefr omt hemillsoeasily.Hishomelaywit hint heenvir onsoft hemillbut hiswor ldlayout sideit .Theonlymember oft hefamilywhohadaccesst ot hiswor ldwasPr abhaBala,t hat is,Nit yasPr abhaBua.Pr abhawasonlyt hr eeyear syounger t hanherbr ot her Pr ehlad.Shewasgoodat st udiesbut inkeepingwit ht hewishesofAmbikaDut t shehadbeenenr olledinat ailor ingcour seaft er complet ingt he11t hclass.Sheenjoyedembr oider yandst it chingbut her r ealint er est layint hebooksshebor r owedfr omher br ot her Pr ehladbhaisahib.Thefict ionandr omanceswhichPr ehladbhaisahibbr ought homewer enever r et ur nedunt ilPr abhahadr eadalloft hem.Shehadevenvisit edDelhiUniver sit ywit hher br ot her afewt imesandt helibr ar ywhichwasasbigast heflour mill.Shealsoenjoyedgoingt ot heDelhiPublicLibr ar ynear t heRailwayst at ionwit hPr ehladbhaisahib.Somet imesbhaisahibwouldgooffinanot her dir ect ionleavingher alonenear t hebookshelves.Aloneint hatvast r oomsur r oundedbyinnumer ablebooks!Shewouldfeelast r angear idfear .Somanybooks,somanyst or ies,somuchknowledge!Manyideasmustber efut ingandchallengingeachot her .44 :: July-September 2009But t heyar eallsit t ingher equiet lywit hout evenashadowofdissent ion.Isnt it st r anget hat opposingideascansit sidebysidemut elyint hesamer oomwit hout anydebat eor ar gument ?Whenwor dsbecomesilent ,t heyalt er t heirchar act er ,andt heopposit eisalsot r ue,for whensilent wor dsspeakupt heyt oochange.Pr abhaBalagent lycar essedonewor daft er anot her ,just t odet er minewhet her t hewor dswouldspeakupwhent heywer et ouched.Pr abhabuat oldNit yaallt hisonedayst andinginasilentcor ner oft heDelhiPubliclibr ar y.Att hat t imePr abhawasnot yet mar r ied.Nit yaalsoknewt hat Pr ehladchachawouldsomet imest akePr abhabuat oRegalor Odeonor for afilmfest ivalt oseeamovie,pr et endingt hat t heywer egoingt ot helibr ar y.Lat er Pr abhabuawouldnar r at et heent ir est or yoft hefilmt oNit yawhent heywer eallaloneont her oof.Pr ehladchachabecamealect ur erinacollegewit hinafewyear s.Pr abhabuausedt ocar r yt hisvict or yofhisar oundwit hher likebr oochonasar i.Hehadbeenwor kingfor ar oundsixmont hswhent hefat efuldayar r ived.Hewent t oAssamonacolleget r ip.Onedayoneoft heboyssuddenlyslippedandfellint ot heLohit r iver .Pr ehladPr asadalsojumpedint ot r yandsavehim.Andt henneit her oft hemwaseverfound.Aglimmer ingbr ight windowinPr abhaslifewassuddenlyslammedshutleavingher ber eft .Nit yasgr andmot her ,t hat isPr abhasmot her ,couldnot beart heshockofher sonsdeat handshealsopassedaway.Dwa r ka Pr a s a d , Pr a bh a s el d erbr ot her , had t wo childr en by now, MukeshandNit ya.Sar ojBala,t heelder sist erwasmar r iedandhadgonet oBar eilly.Shealsohadadaught er .Pr abhabalawhowasyounger t hanPr ehladwasquit efewyear syounger t hanDwar kaPr asadandSar ojBala.However ,shewasnear lyt went yyear soldandPr anodevibecamever yconcer nedabout t hemar r iageoft hismot her lessnieceofher s.Shespoket oKaliandmadehimpaymor eat t ent iont ot hismat t er .Somehow,it pr ovedt obequit edifficult t oget asuit ablegr oomfor Pr abhaandifonewasfoundt her ewasaver yhighdemandfor dowr y.AmbikaPr asadwasalsobecomingalit t lelaxandwasgr aduallylosingcont r olovert hemill.Hissonwasr egular lyshowingalossint hefinancialr egist er s.Thedoor soft hehousewouldopenh op efu l l yt oa d mi t p r os p ect i vebr idegr oomsandt heir families,andt henqu i ckl ycl os ebeh i n d t h ema s t h eydepar t ed.Somet imes,oneopensadoorexpect ingt oseeapar t icular per sonbutfindssomeoneunexpect edst andingt her ei n s t ea d . Si mi l a r l y, on ed a ySa r oj shusband,Pr abhabuasbr ot her -in-lawDushyant jijaji,ar r ivedfr omBar eilly.Hehadbeensent t oDelhifor sixmont hsfor t r a i n i n gbyh i s comp a n y. ForKalichar an,t heabsenceofayoungmanint hehouseduet oPr ehladsdeat hwasnowfilledbyDushyant Kumar .Hewast all,well-built andhadt heknackofJuly-September 2009 :: 45n a r r a t i n gever yi n ci d en t l i kea nint er est ingst or y.Theseaofs