HBAS Chat corner

Originally posted by: divyavm

Writer-e-khaas,

I am so behind in takes ... Well for good reason, I was having fun with the sangeet.

😆

Yes... and I've been a late lateef in replying too... we all were busy having fun with 33🤗

So I thought, let me do a different kind of take. As I reflected on the start of Part 3 (the last two chapters), I felt a theme emerge of churning- churning of emotions within Harka and they were beginning to settle unbeknownst to her.

I agree... it was about her own sentiments that seemed to be going down a dangerous slope as it twisted and turned against a mountain of beliefs and what she knows is the truth! (See I did a symbolic reply too!)

For some reason, I thought of the Samudhra Manthan (Churning of Ocean). For context for those who are not familiar, it is in the Bhagavad Puranam , where the ocean was churned- emerged from it was Poison (Drunk by Shiva), Wealth (in the form of Lakshmi and other signs of prosperity), and then finally the Nectar / Amrit of Life (longevity) emerged.

I can already see where this mystery box is going! And what came out of THIS marriage being churned!

Apologies if I did not do religious justice to the epic. But, more than the religious meaning, it always had a spiritual meaning for me. It is the journey of life- where you have to get rid of the poison amidst us, both gain and get over the allure of wealth, and then finally you reach the true meaning of life.

Well said... just like Divi... ❤️

And supporting this journey is of course an Upper Force, that took the form of the Tortoise (Korma) that supported the mountain used to churn the Ocean.

So beautiful the analogy!👏

With that background, I was somehow drawn to Harka's own churning as she dealt with the whirlwind of events that swirled around her with an ocean of enemies, hatred, fear, and sadness.

(1) First, came the poison of sharp words and jibes to Akbar near the end of Part 2. When first dealing with the betrayal of Akbar, the immediate thing that came out was this poison. It seemed out of Harka's character but it was necessary for her to slowly get the anger out of her system. A natural evolution in dealing with the situation she had in hand and it was no easy situation. (You wondered why I didn't mention Harka in my last take? It was to allow her to go through this evolution without any critique and comment)

Awww 🤗

(2) Then Harka arrived to her beloved Parnagarh. Her people and their future took priority. She almost sifted within herself as what rose the top was the true leader, saying just the right words for them (at least most of them) to accept a future with Akbar.

I think the underlined piece of writing is the most beautiful piece of writing I've come across in a long long while... I recited the sentence a few times to myself ... it's beautiful!

Even Akbar seemed a bit awestruck at what she said and how eloquently she said it and I was too.

(3) And what sifted more downward to the depths of the ocean was the sadness, which she tried to hide (with mixed success) even from Gauri. Yet, the sadness was there but she knew she could not let that sadness bring down what was the best and only option for her people.

Awww the sifting and churning analogy continues...

(4) And in this last chapter, she wanted to be restless, but the restlessness would not come. Her thoughts had settled in a way that surprised her.
- She wanted to be restless, but to her every angst-filled question her jiji sent a deep sleep

❤️
- She wanted to be restless, but the red mehndi of her hands and dress shown brightly as a positive omen

Yes!
- She wanted to be restless, but was at her beautiful best (and nearly enjoyed the festivities)

Beautiful best yes.. nearly enjoyed????
- She wanted to be restless of what will be taken from her, but was surprised by a gift given to her

by AMK - her choice as a woman to decide when and if she will accept him.
- She wanted to be restless, but the man with her only cared for her every comfort
Awww

(5) And as she went on this journey, she always called out to her "Ma Bhavani" for support and in response she found Akbar in front of her. I liked the way Akbar supported her more in what he did not do versus what he did; whether it was his relative silence during the announcement in Parnagarh (playing a supporting role to concur) or not choosing to go to her father's room. And of course, for how he controlled himself and his emotions on the night of their wedding in the conclusion of the latest chapter.

He is a to her... he just cannot be any other way...

And special credit to Chacha Jaan, who always exudes such a warm, fuzzy feel, even in the minimal lines he says. First, the conclusion of Chapter 32, when he recognized how much Akbar cared for Harka and how she eventually recognize Akbar for who he was. And then, how he was there like a father figure for Harka during the ceremonies, guiding her through.

Chacha jaan and Azeez brighten up the place where they go!

And , when I chose the song "Piya Milenge" for the Sangeet, I didn't realize it would feel so apt for what I felt with this chapter (my favorite lyrics again below). But, I shouldn't be surprised; your writing is such that it takes us along in sync. So, let's see how the journey continues ... I can't wait for the next chapter.

Jisko dhoondhe baahar baahar Woh baitha hai bheetar chhupke
(The one whom you are trying to find outside is hidden inside your heart)

Tere andar ek samandar kyun dhoondhe tubke tubke
(There is an Ocean inside you; why are you searching for water outside here and there)

Akal ke parde peeche kar de
(Brush aside the curtains of your mind)

Ghoonghat ke pat khol de
(Remove the veil of thoughts that cover your heart)

Orey piya, piya
(Beloved , Beloved)

Tohe piya milenge, milenge, milenge
(You will meet your beloved)

Beautiful da... 👏

Ended it with a lyrical take... sifted through the vast ocean of songs from your library to bring up the one with the wordings most suited to the story, the leads

Thank you so so so much dear... thanks a ton Divi ... you have no idea how much this means to me!

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Hiding Behind A Stranger.

(a novel by Lashy)

How the novel unfolded so far...

Chapter 1. The Introduction of the Farmaan..

'Shehzade...' the chief minister called out, 'It is not just about the Shehenshah's word... if I recall rightly, a farmaan was issued too... a few years ago...'

Whether bought, brought, stolen or snatched, the prince was going to get his hands on this farmaan, BEFORE it could reach the court.

..and the chief characters..

The young heiress Harka Bai..

She was every bit a 16 year old who was a gifted learner. A mathematician. A Linguist. A biologist. And most importantly, an expert Healer. By having never let pride get in the way of acquiring knowledge, she'd thus accomplished at 16, what most people twice her age couldn't.

Durga Bai !

Her parents could not have chosen a better name, for her personality was as intense as the gusts of an unpredictable night storm.

By 17, she could make her own decisions - whether it concerned governing the estate or buying a horse.By the age of 13, she had learnt to shoulder responsibilities with a smile - becoming 'parent' to her sister and a 'guardian' to her entire community.

Kunwar Mahendar..

The determined young man had gone against his parent's wishes and offered her his hand in marriage -

...

Chapter 2. The bitter memory..

Now In the wilderness...

'You have to stay back and take care of all this when I'm gone!'

Heera's empty glare drooped down till it fell upon the two artefacts nestled within her cold palms - a diamond ring and a small urn of ashes - precious artefacts that not too long ago formed the very identity and essence of Durga Bai

'I didn't even listen to your last words, jiji!

The nightmare..

Jiji ran around the Haveli, with her eyes opened wide

Every trick uncanny, she may have tried

Every nook and cranny, she may have spied

But never did she find me, because I know how to hide!

Alas,

For, he took away the Farmaan,

Then, took away her modesty,

And finally, took away her life too.

...

On the way...

The stranger..

This traveller was a Mughal. And an avid rider too

Chapter 3. Reverie at Aidabad and the Canal Bank

" Blind or Bizaare?"

Return of the 4 dams

Chapter 4. Stranger, the Saviour

'But, I am blind...' she paused 'Actually, I am partially blind!'

Chapter 5. Entry of the protagonist..

She picturises him..

Hereby, I commence my narration

About a man, who by trade, was a businessman,

A deal he struck with the Lord in Heaven

And was bestowed with good looks in the bargain!

With features sharper than a sword's blade

And wet long locks of a deep brown shade,

His skin possessed the fairest of complexions

But in the mirror of his eyes, I saw a stormy reflection!

Chapter 6. The Tale of two Rings.

"Ustaad" !

'Those men are depraved' continued the senapati, fanning the fire that'd just started burning 'They spare no one... they're so depraved, they have a special army just to commit such crimes...they're so depraved, they even have an experienced mentor... called Ustaad... to recruit and train such barbarians... they...'

*** *** ***

Her first Doubt...

She was going to learn more about this mysterious Persian who'd drawn her out from the jaws of death. Where did he travel so late at night? How could one so young, achieve success, all by himself? And what was it about him that was not-so-commonplace?

'Why would a man who trades with the royal family... and one who regularly journeys up north, live so far away from the capital?'

'Why would such an eminent merchant live in a run-down haveli... in a small town like Aidabad, so far away from riches and splendour?'

Heera's glimpses fell upon the diamond ring that adorned her finger - a ring that'd been jiji's favourite, and thus now her own favourite one too. After losing the person with whom she shared all opinions and thoughts, the ring was beginning to fill an emptiness by becoming a passive friend of sorts. And, during every sleepless night over the past week, the lonesome younger sibling had found herself spending a good while staring at that precious possession. Conversing with it. Wanting to unload her many worries upon it...

Having removed his rings and neatly arranged them upon the dresser, one after another, his tough gazes were drawn towards a particular one. An oval-shaped ring set with a topaz that was fortunate to possess a rare yet vibrant shade of light brown. Akbar Khan instantly knew what it reminded him of.

Picking the ring up, he felt compelled to do something else - he held its stone in front of the soft light of a night lamp. The earthy glow that shone through made it appear more ethereal than any other gemstone he had seen.

Not only was this hazel-brown topaz unique, it drew its elegance from being clear-cut and subtle.

Chapter 7. More about him..

'A handsome and powerful young merchant with no wife, no mistress and no weaknesses! What a pity!'

'Actually, that's not entirely true!'

'Well...several people have approached her master with marriage proposals... but, he's the one who has turned them down!'

'Not only that... apparently, he doesn't visit women... doesn't touch alcohol... in fact, he doesn't even smoke the hukkah!'

Unlike her normal etiquette, she was beginning to find herself paying quite some attention to their banters about this mysterious 'Khan Sahib' - more attention than she'd paid to any such frivolous banters before.

Chapter 8. Close Encounter of the two!

Right now, she stood in front of him as a dignified aristocrat, as the self-assured leader of her clan. And the stunning transformation from the garb of a dull cotton attire into an apparel of shimmering blue silk with such flattering ornaments, only enhanced her already-rich elegance as one would imagine.

Raising a brow, Akbar sternly looked up to dart her a glance, before turning aside. As a man who'd never let his grit be swayed by beauty or charms - as a man who didn't want to be fascinated by her finesse, this was a juncture where he found himself failing in front of Harka Bai's perfection. Yet again!

Chapter 9. The Story develops..

'Was this...' he added 'Was this how it always was?'

What he hadn't admitted yet, was that hers was the most inspiring life story he'd heard so far. In his travels over the years, he'd had opportunities to meet exceptional ladies - poetesses, musicians, painters, politicians and scholars - but, fact remained that none of their talents could hold a candle to the unique accomplishments of this young lady.

* * * * * *

'Kunwarsa...' he weighed his words with utmost care 'We don't know what lies in Parnagarh's future... but, we can protect the people and their heiress if we make a wise decision...'

'Please acknowledge my proposal and accept Harka bitiya's hand in marriage...'

*** *** ***

'This humble message comes to you...' Heera began reading its contents aloud 'from Parnagarh, the land of valleys...'...

'Please stand by me... please show your support for a great warrior like Durga Bai, by helping me bring the criminals to justice... please speak up for Parnagarh in court!'

Chapter 10. The Signals

Then, why was 'she' left feeling so perturbed by it?

Was the life so lonely that she'd become desperate for some intelligent company after the demise of her jiji?

Was it because his subconscious knew her spirit was unique, too unique to allow it to be extinguished? Was it because he knew she was a noble soul - a soul so noble that it would make any man want to protect its essence from dying out, though she'd never ask for such protection herself?

*** *** ***

He felt a strange but certain twitch in his chest - and ironically, it was that unfamiliar twitch that brought him face to face with the facts.

Karkuzhali.

Originally posted by: lashy

(Shivangi28) Shivangi's sketch on Heera