Chandra Nandini 23-25: Helen 2.0 - Page 13

Originally posted by: .FemmeFatale.

Aunty,I had read this post as soon as you posted it and I had even typed a reply to the post,unfortunately now that I checked,it never got posted due to my fluctuating WiFi connection.

With regard to the Chandra-Helena scene,was struck me is the fact that Chandra let his guard down at all. That too to Helena. Now I understand that Chandra is otherwise very strong and bold etc,but he is not arrogant and he is not a male chauvinist. Now in the same scenario,if there was a Malay for instance,he would have thrashed this woman for intruding his privacy and secondly would have been offended by the fact that a woman saw him cry. Mardaangi to men like Malay is all about how powerful a man is over a woman. Male ego would have been a barrier. He would used some other means to let off his steam and show Helena her place 😕

I have mentioned this earlier too,though Chandra repeatedly says that emotions are a distraction,but it unconsciously is his biggest strength.

Originally posted by: pakhiv.

It can it be childhood betrothed people
I mean at that time it was a custom to decide marriages for kids.
May be durdharas mom or dad had been promised by Queen Murray or king suryagupta that they'll marry chandra to their daughter.
Chandra visits durdhara and her dad recalls it and they get hooked

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Now this is a very interesting, but largely derailed take on Helena, my dear Ranjana.

For I was not seeking your views on how the CVs are trying, insidiously and at times openly, to boost Nandini and downgrade and criticise Helena. The firangi aurat subtext is always there, and at times in your face. I am not surprised by this, and in fact I had expected it.

But I do not think the suhaag raat scene, which developed in such a delightfully unexpected manner, was written so from the firangi aurat angle . It was rather to stress that there is no amar prem behind their marriage, plus her fixation on her revenge. For us, such a thirst for revenge is acceptable only in a Draupadi or an Amba. And of course in a Nandini.

What I had wanted to know was your views on Helena as she has been shown to us, as a character.

For one thing, I do not agree that it is every woman's ambition to be a man's soulmate. It never was mine; I was, am, and will be my own person. I can offer empathy and support and affection, loyalty and love, but I do not want to share my soul with anyone or get a part of anyone else's!😉 This approach has worked very well for me.

I do not see Helena having any such soulmate ambitions either. I agree with your interpretation that the riverside scene was like the owner of a sports team bolstering the confidence of the favourite/star player after a crushing defeat in a match. But, to me at least, it did not seem as if that was all that there was to it. There was genuine protectiveness and genuine caring, for him, not for his ultimate victory.

Why would Chandra seek her company when he is downcast? He is guilt-ridden, and he wants to crawl into a hole and pull it in after him or, as he says, run away.

I had hoped that you would expand on or discuss my key point, which of course no one else here has even thought about (sometimes I wonder why I waste my time on these posts) : that Helena somehow has the ability to get thru to even such an introverted and remote individual as Chandra.

He has hardly spent much time with her; it is not like his guru who has moulded and shaped him for a decade. How then is she able to coax Chandra out of his depression?

How is it that, as I had specifically pointed out, such an alpha male has no problem with exposing all his weaknesses in front of this girl? That too one he hardly knows? It is unheard of!

Aunty, one of the reasons for Helena being able to reach Chandra, may be due in fact that both of them has seen other's low phase, heartbreak and fear...that they are privy to each other's weak moments had formed an unseen bond, an understanding and acceptance of sorts.

Also, as I've repeatedly mentioned, Helena does have that organ called Heart😆 She may not quote "Prem gathas" but she understands, respects and values the emotion, BUT she does not waste it on everybody and all...not saying she's in love with Chandra, but there is a certain warmth between them, which if and when situation/scene allows. or requires is there to see or feel.

Also why is Nandini not practicing her own adage, which she repeats atleast once a day (or is it thrice?😉) , and tries to win Chandra with Prem?

These are the real psychologically interesting questions that I had hoped you would look into. I still hope that you will do that.

Not what the CVs are plotting against Helena and in favour of the tiresome, stupid Nandini. As for my take on the latter as she is at present, do take a look at my interim response to Ankita above!😉 There is also some stuff about Helena there that might interest you.

Let us see what Helena is about by the time you resurface. Bye for now, my dear. You are an original, and a perennial source of genuine amusement for me, for which I thank you!

Shyamala Aunty

Dear Aunty,

I loved your take on Helena. I am happy that you chose Helena as the title of your post. And hats-off to you for keeping up the bi-weekly timelines despite your ailing fingers.

Chandra-Helena is proving to be one of the best jodis I have seen in a long time. I do feel that there has been a change in Helena her journey from being Chandra's mentor to Chandra's wife. Her goal is revenge and that remains constant. But when she decided to marry Chandra, she willingly became part of Chandra's struggles. She is wise enough to know that taking on Magadh is no mean feat. Yet, she is willing to tread the difficult path with him. Earlier she was using Chandra as a means to gain Magadh, and now she has become a part of his struggle, not the one to abandon it or abandon Chandra if he fails. And I completely agree with you that - "No man could have asked for a stronger, more determined, more effective and supportive partner".

Aunty, I was surprised when the CVs showed Chandra and Helena discussing Magadh on their wedding night. Surprised because I always thought that this is how the two would spend their wedding night 😛. And now I am scared at the thought of my thinking matching those of our CVs. 😉

I agree, it was a delightful scene, but would have lost all its impact had either of the actors not performed well.

I too was amused by Chandra's words - Aaj tak aisi koyi stree bani hi nahin jo mera dhyan apni or kheench sake! We know the kind of fate that awaits him! The three wives will ensure that all his attention is always on them. No wonder this guy renounced his kingdom and became a monk.

I liked Shweta in the scene where Chandra imagined Nandni taunting him. She did quite well.

Originally posted by: durgeshnandini

It took me 3 installments and few explanations from the references to understand what I was reading 😆. But last time I read Durgeshnandini, I managed to do so without any assistance and I truly enjoyed what I read 😊... so Durgeshnandini is my favourite too!

Originally posted by: sashashyam

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">OK, most of this will pass, Shailaja, very well done!</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">But not that Mura was running for a day or days. The baby Chandra is born the day Suryagupta and Shishunaag are assassinated by Nand (most people these days forget that assassination is used only for the murder of a VVIP!) . This was also confirmed last night, when Chandra's foster mother states that she found the baby in the cow byre the day Shishunaag was killed.</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">So Mura must have been captured well inside Magadha. How far can a woman in her state run in a few hours? And the Greek ruled areas were far away in the northwest, nowhere near Magadha.</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">It is hopeless, my dear. But I do admire your never say die spirit!</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Shyamala Aunty</font>