IKRS 3rd October 2015 ep 48 My Take
The rationale of Viplav's doubly unconventional residence in the Ashram clarifies before his friends as they see "method in his madness". As one does before friends, he confides about his observations regarding the poor quality of the widows life at the Ashram.. what they eat!! where they live ! how they dress! the treatment they get from people! is just appalling! All this Viplav could only discern by living amongst them..his friends Raj and Pankhaj can get the picture how much their friend Viplav's attitude has changed towards the widows. However Raj does remind him that the need of the hour is to move out of this area of Phool Chand's house.. before any one spots them.. and they stealthily the three disappear into the night. Inside Phool Chand lies still.. Tripurari, like a scavenger, turns up and peeps in through the open window to see the outcome of Viplav and his cronies visit. He seems content that the job has been done neatly.. suspense here creeps up.. is Phool Chand asleep? has he suffered head injury or is in actual fact dead? all is rather woolly. So this section feels rather open ended.
Ashram.. a play within the play.. actors, mother and son.. Dulari tells Inderani ,you took a sleeping pill and slept , but a huge fracas happened here last night..a knock on the door alerts them.. Dhani turns to Rajlaxmi go check it must be that rakhsas who else?but it wasn't Viplav, it was Kanak! at the Ashram door step.. she stares past Rajlaxmi straight at Dhani...who looks horrified and recalls the cruel beats and toxic words this full of hubris woman lashed against her.The widows were all taken aback by this affluently dressed lady standing at their doorstep.. she is not a local, but what does she want with them? Dulari moves forward but her buchiya pulls her back protectively. However the arrogant Kanak without being invited, barges in defiantly regardless!.. she proceeds forward and parks herself near the tulsi plant and folds her palms to solemnize the message she is about to deliver before the widows. Iam Viplav tirpathi 's mother, if you had known that surely you wouldn't have let me in but I have come here to apologize to Dhani for my bad treatment meted out to her. well now the widows know who she is and most importantly how she slurred no Dhani 's but their name as well.. Once Dhani forgives me I'll leave. Dulari nods at Dhani ,and the rest of the widows including Kanak hang upon Dhani's decision.. while she waits, Kanak looks around at the decoration that her son got done.. and then Kanak very easily slips back to her sarcasm and mockery .. wow! this Ashram is splendid! doesn't seem at all that widows live her ! she means of course in such a colourful place! but then she checks her inherent nature of mocking the poor ,and feigns .. look I made a huge mistake, look child, I said a lot of things I shouldn't have said to you.. please forgive me? Dhani looks very uncomfortable and is tongue tied. Inderani however says , if you had thought twice before you humiliated Dhani, this stage of having to apologize to her wouldn't have arisen .. Inderani as an woman older to Kanak points out..for Inderani knows full well it is bad enough for a rich woman to apologize to a poor widow, on top worse still, here an older woman is having to say sorry to a chit of a girl.. Inderani tells Kanak as it, and continues severely, you cannot be forgiven for what you did! and for that not just us, but god himself will not forgive you!.. Kanak looks at Dhani then falls to Inderani's feet and cries out, maata ji! at this moment in time you are in place of god for me! for what I did! I ask for your forgiveness ! tell me what else can I do to win your forgiveness Inderani reminds Kanak that there is no need for her to apologize to them, but to the person that she insulted the most! and that too publically. So likewise treatment, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! shows harshly Inderani even takes away from Kanak that what she did to Dhani was in any way acceptable!.. however even if Dhani forgives you many of us will not! says Inderani in no uncertain terms. Kanak looks devastated, this is becoming more difficult than she envisaged .. and so she should be! as any woman's virtue and self-respect cannot be held to public ridicule , whether she be a widow or a lady? but then Kanak acts impulsively and goes for Dhani where the poor girl hides behind her mother! and roughly moves Dulari out of the way.. move out of the way! and thus commences Kanak's theatrics..[is this where her son gets all the drama from?] she drags Dhani by the arm! while all protest where are you taking her? Kanak dramatizes, please don't stop me today ,as I want to take this child to the same bazar where I humiliated her before all! or to a crowd of people at the edge of the Ganges where even more people are! she cries in feigned desperation and the widows look at each other in utter confusion ..Kanaks theatrics are angled in a way at Dhani.. as a means of pressurizing her to grant her a pardon.. or is it to publicize her own largeness? or is it to draw more attention to the widow in the photo? whatever the intent? it remains highly suspicious.. cleverly Kanak feigns an appeal before Dhani that the girl may not be able to ignore!! please child let me repent for my sins! otherwise my son will continue to repent before you on behalf of wrongs I have committed! .. please child forgive me.. Dulari comes by Dhani's side and Kanak finally succeeds in getting Dhani's pardon. Dhani says ,there's no need for all that ,as I can see that you show remorse at what you have done.. I forgive you! and Kanak says thanks, much grateful.. and soon after she asks , where is Viplav??is there hope for Dhani, that the rakhsas will leave? well she wants it to come true as.. Dhani goes and gets Viplav's luggage and puts it down before her.. ready to take it and presumably Viplav home with her.. there's a knock on the door! and all look expectantly ,especially Kanak.. it is Viplav! Dhani weaves past his luggage and goes to the door to open it..
Yes it is him! and he greets her with a yes it's me expression! while she narrows her eyes at him as she opens the door wide to her Ashram..its ironical how welcoming she seems, surely he notes the sarcasm in her eyes..that is time for you to leave ,your mother is here to get you!..of course he's not one to take her looks lying down! and he asks her with much keenness, have I come to the right Ashram? you welcome me by opening the door wide surely I am dreaming? Dhani firm faced just rolls her eyes.. and he continues ,or is it that you don't object to my being here anymore? and she replies distantly of no nothing like that..and he thinks, here we go again! and says , informally , look I am starving! any chance of getting something to eat? but not boiled potatoes! If you can make something spicy and tasty , it would be great!..Viplav! and the smile from his face vanishes and looks past Dhani's head at his mother who calls out, Viplav! my child! your mother has cooked paneer kofta and halwa for you and here you are eating on boiled potatoes? He stares at her.. and then looks quizzically at Dhani who meets his eyes and then lowers them. showing unwillingness! to have anything to do between mother and son..
Viplav... cries out Kanak and he walks past Dhani comes forward, touches his mother's feet.. and she blesses him, and surprised ,he asks, mother you here? and she cries out yes! my son, I did exactly as you asked me to do! I apologized to Dhani and everyone else! and what's more Dhani has forgiven me! you can ask her yourself !he looks at her and she looks back at him. Kanak convinces him, she's forgiven me , my son! now come home! and then Dhani speaks, yes go home, your mother has been waiting for you.. Inderani joins in , you should return to your family.. but Viplav thinks for a moment. Dhani looks at her mother and wonders if he'll leave? Viplav looks disappointment.. did he expect Dhani to stop him? but why would she do that? as she always picked on him ,time and again ,made it pretty clear that he should leave. in fact maa ji, maayi all want him to leave.. Kanak badgers him , son what are you thinking about? what you wanted ,I have done! I have apologized to Dhani and to all! she repeats irritated! look everything is fine now! she argues... you wanted that didn't you? she cajoles him. Dhani watches silently.. and his mother asks shall we leave? and Viplav replies yes..then he moves towards Dhani looks at her then lowers his eyes to grab his luggage.. but she turns the other way.. gives him the cold shoulder.. he still gives her a sided look, waits for her to meet his eyes for the final time.. then she does for a split second , she lowers her eyes again.. but his eyes still linger.. ,on her face and waits for her to turn her face but Dhani fixes her face the other way and he narrows his eyes and with a displeased faint scowl on his face, pulls away from her curtly ..his rucksack slung over his shoulder and moves to his mother.. Dhani face then turns and she blinks once. There is obvious relief on her face... both Viplav and his mother bid namaste to the widows, and smiling Kanak walks with her son to the door and she is about to push him out of the door when.. Viplav lets her go ahead. Dhani's face now changes expression but then she quickly hoods them.. Viplav, stops at the door and hesitantly looks back at Dhani.. this time she meets his gaze.. her face looks cross.. and his sided face looks at her over his shoulder.. his face , unsmiling ,but resigned ..dhani too looks resigned .. and then he turns his head forward, takes a step down to leave and Dhani's, eyes now look regretful and cloudy.. Viplav and his mother walk to the white car parked outside the Ashram.. Kanak smiles and Viplav clearly upset, opens the boot and puts his luggage in... then Viplav says to his mother... no mother! you get in the car ,go home I can't come home with you as yet! ...what a shock!! Kanak glares at him...to me the reasons why Viplav agrees to leave with his mother is to maintain her authority before the widows. also he wants a private word with his mother where he can shrewdly get out of returning with her and continue to stage at his forum..there is method in his madness!
Back in the Ashram the male figure has gone..it's back to the girl's brigade! all girls only! they look like moping around.. Dulari says to Inderani .. didi if you ask me I am so relieved today ,thank heavens that lad has left the Ashram! at last the problem has been solved now let's hope the Ashram's peace and quiet returns and it'll be like it was before.. Rajlaxmi argues, what was it before? that you want things to be like they were before? look around today it's full of colours! it doesn't look like our old Ashram! and Dulari snubs her , really two coats of colourful paints is not going to change our destiny! it'll be the same washed with white! Raj laxmi points out ,yes it's true , changing colours on the wall area lot easier than changing the likes of you! who's hearts have turned white! Inderani intervenes and says ,forget everything and stop arguing.. it's pointless discussing old issues , now go to sleep every one tomorrow it's back to the old routine.. so go sleep every one! so with the younger widows..Viplav has stirred a fire towards revolting against, non-progressive ,stifling, age old rules against the widow's way of life!
What do you mean you're not coming? are you planning to go somewhere else? Kanak , asks Viplav beside the car ,outside the Ashram.. Viplav stays quiet and kanak , says you can go elsewhere, but first come home !and he smiles and holds his mother's hand and assures her, I love you a lot mother.. you are the best mother in the world.. says Viplav overcome with emotion.. this is a genuine thanks to his mother, for doing what he wanted her to do, i.e. apologize to Dhani.. and she replies ,I too love you and think of you as the best son in the world ,that's why I miss you loads all the time.. but come on let's go home and I'll make all your favourite dishes and feed my baby with my own hands.. then he gets a brain wave! tell me something mother don't you want me to earn a big name and fame like dada ji? and she readily says of course I do ..and he is quick to play on that, well that's exactly what I want to do here by staying at the Ashram.. he knows about his avarice about money ,and best to hold on to it.. they haven't given me my fees.. Kanak is mighty confused, what are you saying Viplav, I don't get what you mean? your luggage is in the boot. and here you're saying you're not coming? and he replies its got my dirty clothes, they need a wash any way! and why don't you send clean clothes back to me with the driver! presence of mind gets his laundry sorted out too! Kanak is flabbergasted, Viplav just for that amount of money you're staying here? and he says why not mother money is money! and besides this is my first fees, and I am like dadaji stubborn and obdurate! He plays on the sentiment ,how her mother wants him to be like his dada ji! So let me get this Ashram back for the widows! and also my due fees! and then for sure I'll return home soon ,it's my promise you are not to worry about me, I'll be fine!! and he kisses his mother and walks off.. while Kanak is gets the hysterics ,now what am I supposed to tell babu ji?
Inside the Ashram Dhani babbles to herself as she collects dry clothes from the hanging line.. it's a good think that boy's gone used to call me a bundle of complaints and he himself was an elephant of complaints! why do you do this?that? and the other! used to complain about everything!
aowwwooo! .. Dhani gets a fright! and she spins around, sees him lounging up on the bare tree in the courtyard! You?? what are you doing here? and stop making these rakshas wailings! everyone is asleep! She scolds him , why are you perched on the tree get down now! she orders.. if you fall it'll create a new problem , get down! Viplav gives a wicked smile, shall I get down then? he asks, she retorts, what do think so? he says ooh I am stuck! but then finally jumps down the tree ; then stands before her and grins, what did you think I 'll let you off so easily? tuk! tuk! dhani is confused, how did you get in? your mother took you? and the doors were closed as well ? how did you get in then? and he jeers at her, you ask such useless questions! first tell me when are you going to give me my fees? She says I don't know?why only the fees? what about for the hotel? for these decorations? and she says, such problems! and he says bemused, look those are your problems! my problem is only my fees ,the day I get that! I'll leave rightaway! do you know when I told my mother you owed me money she was vexed , kicked me out of the car! and told me to stay here and not move till I get my money! off you lot! so how can disobey my mother! so this is my home now! he gets up and starts swinging his arms in glee! she pulls him down by his jacket, scolds him, stop making a racket! people are asleep; he says I am going to go and sleep! and he moves to his room; she pulls him by the collar; tells him Suvarna and rajlaksmi were asleepthere; he moans how dare she give them his room; she retorts back! I told you there's place for you in the Ashram ; he says defiantly ,fine I'll sleep here in the courtyard! then changes his mind.. no you'll wake up early doing your business and wake me up! I'll sleep in the store room! no one will disturb me there.They part ways then he stops and goes phsst! She turns and he bops his head tells her to come closer.. sheepishly she does.. he whispers , pillow... she throws a dry bedsheet and says ,put this under your head and sleep.. then she turns too leave and he stops ,turns his head again and goes phsst.. she turns and he calls out sibilantly.. thankyou and then with a rolled thin woven mat tucked under his arm ,plus the sheet and gets himself to the storeroom.. notice Dhani's body language ,and the informality she shows towards him, pulling his jacket.. she can't contain her supressed joy at seeing him return..
" there is method in his madness" [Hamlet ,prince of Denmark] .. all this to see her in a different light by showing his true colours!
Dead of night Viplav covers his head with a ghostly white sheet; holds a lit lantern; hides behind the door and screams ahhh at her.. as she enters.. and Dhani flops on the floor on the other side of the door.. slightly shaken! While he stands over her draped in a white sheet lantern in hand; he roars with laughter! Puts the lantern down; pulls off the sheet; continues with his hysterical laughter; then sinks opposite to her on the floor guffawing! suddenly he stops!! his eyes pop out as if he's seen a ghost! it was a cockroach!! beside Dhani and it crawls ; he loses his voice ccc ; stammers then springs up! runs to the nearest wall! screams Dhani it's a coahroach! don't look at me! kill it! Dhani looks at him! he's pretty shaken; she gets hold of the cockroach looks a him slyly; than walks towards him; as she holds the live dangling cockroach in her pincer grip! he does donnttt!! what are you doing donttt Dhaniii! He yells! and Dhani holds the cockroach upside down and says.. now I have the bull by it's horns! He cringes! she gets closer; the louder he yells! he flattens himself against the wall; she smiles an evil smile! then breaks into laughter! as she hears his yells! he tilts his face against the wall and he catches her laughing face. as she brings her arm and the cockroach closer to him! then she moves her arm; as he stares at her laughing face ,then she turns her face from him.. and fixes her pallu and becomes serious again ..sighs and leaves but Viplav turns from the wall content he made her laugh...
Fantastic end to the week.. great going IKRS!
Sorry .. late in posting.. but treat it as a Sunday, repeat ,pity though, hammie cannot replace the Dhani and Viplav..aura! Hamlet53 4. 10.15
Precap:a new entrant at the Ashram looking out for a way out?
Cricket
