IP REDUX; Reality Bites !!

Tant reality bites eh??? Yup, when I watched the last scene it reminded me of Elton John's Sacrifice - "Two hearts living in two separate worlds". But if Monday's episode reminded me of the difference between "Sand castle and House of Iron and Steel" then today's episode reminded me of Mothers ' both "Biological and Corn". I loved both the episodes and both have very distinct flavors throughout. Sorry Reduxians, I couldn't write yesterday, so today I will club both, at least will try to touch the main parts. Before I start, I should say loved your analysis Tant. It's TANTASTIC. 👏 👏 👏

As I mentioned here that this track is about Class v/s Heart and Arnav v/s Shyam because these two aspects were necessary when the tornado will strike in and it will, as it is definitely is at the door. "Darwaja" - that was mentioned by Groom's Mama and Maami yesterday right??? Yes, "Door". This "Darwaja" is the culprit of everything that is happening in the lives of Khushi and Arnav and will affect the lives of all in some time. When the groom's family entered Gupta House, Nandiniji said - "Madhumatiji ne apne Ghar ke darwaje khol diye". A doorway not only gives you the narrow view of the world but it allows one to enter your world. But to understand the bigger world one must pass through the doorway and then only one can realize that how crude and cruel this world is. When you let anyone enter into your world then it proves the heart that makes you and sometimes it's the weakness of yours that actually helps others to manipulate you. When Arnav and Anjali was thrown out of Sheeshmahal, then then they both have made a world for themselves where these two would be away from the reality and cruelty of the world. Did you ever think why Anjali didn't repair the photo frame for 12 years when it was broken??? Did you ever think why Shyam could enter Madhumatiji's house??? Did you ever realize why Arnav is aggressive yet balanced in his attributes??? Did you ever think why Naani fears that Arnav will walk on his father's footsteps??? Did you ever think why Arnav engages himself in gardening??? Did you ever think why Anjali binds herself with Pujas and her illusive world is filled with love??? Did you ever think why Anjali clings onto Shyam???

I donno but Monday's episode did give me a new perspective to look at all the characters and it reminded me of the play - "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams in the 1940s. The story of Amanda the Mother, Laura the crippled sister and Tom the brother who slaved to feed his family after their Father happily left them years ago. Yes, all these came to my mind when I watched Monday's episode of "Glass v/s Steel". This was the message yesterday and it defined relationships, Arnav, Shyam, Sand castle and house of iron and steel. Everything and it was a perfect episode in every sense.

Why Sand castle when glass was mentioned yesterday??? Because Glass is a piece of nature and the main ingredients to produce glass is "Sand". Glass is transparent, it's water proof and breaks easily, it allows light to pass through it and it's not flexible and not durable. Isn't it??? The glasses are a symbol of society and logical reasoning; Logic is thereby lost when the glasses are crushed exactly like "heart". Isn't it???

Let us check Steel then. Steel is a form of iron mixed with other components, is a younger, more educated metal than it's parent metal iron. Steel still retains iron's aggressive undertones but is balanced with attributes of intelligence and education. An easier way of putting it is that steel is less primal than iron and more refined. Because of steel is advanced form from the older iron, steel also crosses over into more industrial and intellectual endeavors. To work with steel is to work with a metal that is both forceful yet reserved. If iron is the old warrior, steel is the young captain. This is steel. Other characteristics of steel are its great elasticity and its retention of magnetism. Flexibility, durability and strength are the characteristics of steel.

Like Khushi said - "Majbooti". Yup, "Strength" in the human character, strength in the relationships and strength in the house that one resides in. Whereas glass is "Fragile" and it is the same in the human character, no flexibility, fragility in the relationships, the castle will crumble the moment it is shaken and when it will then all the pieces will affect each and every one associated with it. This was the message on Monday - Damaad (Son-in-law) v/s Damaad (Son-in-law), Arnav v/s Shyam. Wasn't it fantastic???

Shyam, exactly made himself available for all the people around him see through him and this is the first reason why Buaji let him enter through her door; like glass provides an attractive blend of elegance and authenticity, Shyam also produced himself as the tactless and a perfect blend of elengance with authenticity to both the Raizadas and the Guptas. But at the end he is "Not Flexible" and that is why when the reality of his true facet came in front of the Guptas and ASR, the myth around him broke down and it's pieces had hurt each and every one of them. The same way it will break the Raizadas and Anjali's "Sand Castle". The people in the Raizada house are exactly like glass and their relationship with each other; hence, when the truth will dawn on each one of the Raizadas they will fall apart and it has to. This is the reason Maamiji said - "Kahin Madhumatiji ka chota sa darwaja khula hua toh nehin milega???" Yes, did you ever think why the Groom had Mama and Mami and not his own parents??? Does it ring a bell??? Yup, it's the future prophecy when the truth will be out then Mama and Mami will come to the Guptas to get Khushi and Payal from this "chota darwaja".

Why Anjali always clings to Puja and Shyam??? Because Anjali is caught into her own loop - her shyness due to crippled nature and insecurity from what she had to face when her Father left them and her Mother committed suicide. Puja is her way of escaping from the reality and love is eternal to her which she never had seen in her Mother's life. She clings to Shyam because of his genuineness as he portrayed and also because Arnav also fell into Shyam's outer elegance and his "tactless" behavior like the glass. She believed her brother. This is also related to "Glass Menagerie"; in the story, Tom finds the groom for his sister Laura but later realized that he was already engaged and when the truth came out he abandoned himself from his sister for the blunder he had with her life and emotions. Now, the "Pujas" are bit more complicated. This not only represents her freedom from reality, but in a much more clearly unusual, perhaps even obsessive, way. The "Silver" plate that the Guptas had gifted is just like her; both are delicate and will blackened if put under any degree of stress. She freaked out when it was lost at the "Teej"because the only thing that silver lacks is it's dark-natured aspect.She believes in a world of illusion and that is why she never repaired the broken photo frame because she had seen her Mother's life never been rectified after her Father left them alone. To her once broken is broken and when the truth will be out then her "Sand castle" will crumble down and she will never try to rebuild it again. But there is always a "silver lining behind every cloud" right??? Because always remember that "Silver is the beacon of light in the darkness". Anjali will be revived and this is why we need "House of Steel" and "Relationship of Steel".

Let us come to the other Damaad. "Arnav Singh Raizada". Do you know that when a bar of steel is struck it gives out a sharp metallic ring??? Yes, a metallic ring. What is ring??? A complete circle. An infinite loop. The circle is a symbol that best represents connectedness, since all regular polygons are embraced by it; since it is without beginning or end it also represents infinity. It is simplest figure and therefore finds representation in numerous cultures. The ring due to its circular nature portrays infinity in the sense of lasting love. Yes, this is another nature of Steel whereas when a bar of glass is struck then it will break into pieces. Isn't it??? This is the difference between Glass and Steel. This is why Guptas have sustained the truth of Shyam and the Raizadas will need Guptas and Arnav to sustain the post-truth trauma. Arnav is basically the slave of the family and he has transformed himself from a wrought iron to steel, much more refined and balanced with attributes of intelligence and education. Arnav felt halted by the situation 12 years back from chasing his dreams, just because of his own good conscience. Did you ever realize why he always goes to the plants and the middle of the road to escape??? Why he gets agitated when Naani says that he is just like his Father??? Because he always wanted to move away from his family, and knew that he could do it, but was somehow obligated to stay for the benefit of people he didn't feel he should be responsible for. This is one reason. Secondly, he needs to prove Naani that he is not like his father and that haunts him day and night. Thirdly, plants give him a sense of adventure and release from his unpleasant reality. He is in greater need for suspension of reality. Fourthly, why middle of the road?? Because it is an "Exit". This shows his desire to escape the burdens that is upon his shoulder and it foreshadows his ultimate decision to do so. His home is at the North. Why??? Because it is the side which lies on the sun's right hand and lies on either side of life; it symbolizes night sky and night wind and is the home of the Moon and the Milky Way. North represents coldness, alienation, and hostility; it is the abode of death. He will return to Khushi always as Khushi's house is in the west as it is the land of evening, old age, and the descending passage of the sun. Arnav's old age is with Khushi and that is why he will return to her heart like the pigeons.

When Arnav came to Guptas he didn't project himself like Shyam and each and everyone knew him the way they need to know him. Like Steel, he didn't represent elegance but his "Mental Strength" and his "Flexibility" is the proof of a "strong relationship". This is why Khushi said - "Majboot Rishta". Like the relationship between Arnav and the Guptas, like the relationship between Arnav and Khushi. Yes, he is aggressive but he is educated and principled and this is why last 2 days we saw how Arnav handled the groom and taught him a lesson on "Human Values".

You know there is another quality of Steel??? It is called "Tempering". If steel has been hardened by being heated and suddenly cooled, it may be softened again by applying a lower degree of heat and again cooling. Indeed, this is why he is not cast iron but steel. Arnav will be softened and once the truth will be out just because he is flexible and he will never break down will definitely come back to shape like the steel. He will hold the Guptas together as this is the house made with steel and any relationship made of steel is always "Durable" for eternity. Now, this is another "Damaad".

If one Son-in-law shows of the fake personality then the other son-in-law shows the real personality.

Monday when he found the wrapper, I was elated to see that. Thank God, the CVs proved us we will be getting to revisit the terrace scene. There was guilt when he entered the room and the moment he saw the wrapper, he was more and more confirmed about the guilt and that he purposefully had to crush a girl's dream which he never wanted to do. He had to as he had no other option. You know what, I felt bad for him yesterday as he constantly is searching for a clue that will relieve him of his guilt but he is been thrown to feel more into it. Here I loved the CVs as they did hint us that Buaji will direct him to the whole truth of Shyam as she is the only elder who knows the whole story like the way she guided him to the file. This reminded me that the "Property" file which Shyam discovered is not the actual file that ASR wanted to hide; he actually brought it with him and I am glad here. So, we are heading for a confrontation where the half-truth will be disclosed and the wrapper did prove that.

Today's episode as I said is all about both the mothers - "Biological and Corn". Since Tant have described Khushi and Arnav here, I will not get into details, but will touch on what I felt watching the episode.

"You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool mom".

When I was watching the last scene where Arnav eavesdropped to the little talk of a Mother and a daughter, I know everyone have sympathized with Khushi and her pains but did anyone think of Arnav there??? Just plain 15 yrs. old Arnav. No. right??? It took me straight to 2 scenes. One, where Arnav and Anjali were discussing about their Mother followed by Khushi - Arnav scene and second, where Arnav said - "Meri koi Maa nehin hain, mar chuki hain meri Maa". Then when Arnav realized that he had hurt Garimaji, he apologized and said - "Actually main kisiko Maa nehin kahein sakta, uss baat ke liye aap ko bura laga tha issliye..." So truthful a Man is, isn't it??? For him there is a sense of void in the word "Mother". He have a long memory of his Mother; for him his Mother was by his side till he was in his teens and when he lost his Mother at that age, how can he just address anyone by that name. He cannot, for whatever he does he owns it and does it with conviction. He is a man of principles that's why when he canceled the engagement with Lavanya he did it because he could never be loyal to her and her feelings. This is ASR and that's why he never shows off "Duplicity".

This scene took me to the day when Anjali and Arnav remembered their Mom. That day, Anjali opened the Jewelry Box and held their Mom's bangles and when she said how they used to fell asleep listening to the "khann khann" of these bangles, Arnav uttered - "inki khanak mein itna sukoon tha, lagta tha jaise saari din ki thakawat utar gayi ho" for as Erich Fromm says - Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved".

The letter written to her daughter-in-law said - "Aap ko ek raaz ki baat batani hain, dhyaan rakhiyega aur sawdhan rahiyega, humare chote ke naak pe bahut saara gussa raheta hain, aur dil mein, dil mein bahut saara pyaar". When Anjali said - "Agar Maa aaj tumhein dekhti toh", instantly Arnav uttered - "Pehchaan bhi nehi paati mujhe". Yes, and he walked out from there for he knows if his Mom would have been alive then he would not turn out like the corn with the husks around and that he never allowed to even get in to the sweet corn on the cob. He "Absolutely Never" allowed any one to enter his heart and get to the real person that is "Arnav". He had shown his two facets to Khushi and whenever Khushi tries to know the real person, fate brings them back to square one. Only a Mother is able to know her child with an instinct whereas for others, they need to be shown or allowed to be known to.

"There is an instinct in a woman to love most her own child - and an instinct to make any child who needs her love, her own" ~ Robert Brault

Today we saw Garimaji as a Mom gathering the vital information whether Khushi is happy in her married life or not. This is a very generic conversation every Mother has with their daughters and so I didn't find any unusual here, but what had strike me was Garimaji's understanding and in depth knowledge in this relationship and the children. Khushi is neither her biological daughter nor Arnav is her biological son but when she talked about both of them the most that touched my heart was when she said - "par pata nehin ek anjaani ankahin khalish (dard) dikhayi deti hain tum dono ke beech". A mother she is indeed and instantly she realized the tension between the newlyweds even though she approves the love between them but the "Pain" in their eyes didn't go unnoticed in her eyes. This scene reminded me of the scene when Arnav asked Khushi about whether Parents become stars after death or if this is true. Khushi then said - "baat sach ya jhoot ki nehin hain, baat yekin ki hain". Yeah, this is of belief that your parents have become stars after their death; that they watch you from high above; this is about your belief and not what the world had set a ground rule to regarding that. Then Arnav cried out for answer from Khushi - "Kya meri Maa mujhe dekh kar khush hain"??? He is not happy within and he knew that his Mom would also not be happy with the way he had turned out. He thrashed a Girl's heart just some days back in Diwali and is about to spoil another one's in some days at that moment. He knew his Mom wouldn't be happy with him because as per him, she is his biological Mom and so, it's only her prerogative that she will understand her son. But, what Arnav doesn't know that there is another lady, who without his knowledge has read him perfectly. When Garimaji said - "ek baat toh pata chal chuki hain, ki woh dil ke bahut saaf hain" proved that why she is a Mother to Khushi and Payal and why she will be the same for Arnav.

Yup, This is why I said this track is also about Arnav v/s Shyam. Arnav can fool anyone but could he fool Garimaji??? No, he couldn't. Neither Garimaji knew that Arnav helped in Preetika's wedding nor Arnav knew that Garimaji read him inside out. This is called Mother's instinct.

Then the scene I loved where Garimaji was talking about her worry which brought tears to my eyes. She said - "humhein bahut chinta thi ki hum marne ke baad upar jaa ke hum tohri Maa ko kya jawab denge, lekin ab woh chinta bhi dur ho gayi". Khushi then uttered - "humari Amma toh aap hain, aap ko kisiko bhi jawab dene ki koi zaroorat nehin hain". This segment may be of Arnav and Khushi but this segment proved to Arnav that Garimaji never ever tried to take the place of Khushi's Mother; rather she always had seen herself as a "Second" Mother or rather "Corn Mother" to Khushi and it was Khushi who had gladly placed her in her biological Mother's place. It was Khushi who had given her the authority to be her Mother and one day it will be Arnav who will prove himself to be the "best husband" to Khushi not because Khushi had desired or tried to keep away the worries from Garimaji, but he will do it for Garimaji's sake; for he would that day want to be in the heart of Garimaji; he would want to be an authentic human being and son and a husband in the eyes of Garimaji; he will prove himself because he needs her love, a Mother's love so that if she is happy then his Mother will also be happy.