TSMSPJ*ep: 42* 20.5.17: My Impressions brand mark ..
Brand mark is a stamp that imprints an identifying mark to state the importance of an item. This labelling or distinct marking is carried on animal by burning a mark on its hide. Branding is associated with the act of a burn mark onto the skin, to ensure it's permanence. History has much to show where branding has be used as a means to identity humans as slaves, personal property of families clans ,tribes, to further own agendas. Burn branding was carried out upon criminals and convicts to stigmatize and disgrace their crimes for life. References have shown me that women in Rajhistan and other rural areas have been subjected to burning, branding women for being witches. Similar brutality was seen in the witch hunt scenarios in Middle Ages Europe. So much so for the inhuman act of human branding. Coming to today's episode it's echo's a patriarchal society where women are expected to change their last name and take on their husband's identity after marriage. Reminds me of an age old accepted norm where a woman's last name is firstly attached to her father and after marriage it's over to the husband. Thus it seems more credence is given to the male figure as opposed to the female. But have to add times may be changing and some women out of choice may wish to retain their maiden names rather than attach their spouses names. Funnily enough maiden name will again show fathers name. In this day and age their may be cases where men may chose to use their mothers names instead of fathers.. so here is an age where individual choice is given much credence. Yet the transition into deviating from tradition, socio structures and norms does not come easy. One has to put up quite a fight..
It is meant to be that Kanak gets a preview of this brutal ritual. Branding human skin with a red hot burning iron rod. A woman, prime creation of god, is dehumanized to the status of lesser than human type of creations. Reduced to be marked like cattle ? all in the name of faith? This shocking initiation of a bride into the groom's family. The declaration that this fire stamping renders the bride , purified enough to be received in the groom's family. The girls scream are indicative enough of the act of cruelty. Kanak sees the act happens with full support and consent of the husband.
Like a lamb led to slaughter, Kanak is dragged to this final ritual. Uma resigned takes his place ready for this last ritual , her last testimony of a painful public allegiance to him.. Kanak is given a few minutes to get her act together. Kanak in the main ,like always maintains her composure, that allows her to work out, getting out of this in human scenario. Natures call! Grants her a short brisk exit. Maasi delegates Palomi to watch over Kanak. Inside the dingy public cloakroom Kanak goes through bouts of being lost in darkness. Seeks some enlightenment and fast too, which can pass this moment out of her life.
In the Rathi household, Bhabo too goes through temporary vision impairment. Ved blindfolds her by his tender palm. A surprise is in store for her. the finished product of her embellished and decorated shop. all spruced up for its anniversary. Once Ved removes his palm, Bhabo smiles, at the net result. A job well done by her somewhat guilty and sad grandsons. Might be the shops last anniversary ..soon it will be sold. But Kanak sweet shop will never be history as Bhabo confirms by setting her failing frail eyes on Suraj and Sandhya's large portrait .
Yes the shop will live on! sold or not. Kanak is still in the cloakroom churning up ideas, as how to stay in the last ritual game , but come out unscathed !and all this for Bhabo's shop!
Auspicious hour is always crucial to rituals as to the priest, Maasi and the rest of the family. Finally here comes the bride!with the maid of honour Palomi . Kanak in complete composure takes up her place to Uma. He turns to her with a word of assurance. Maasi cajoles Kanak as one does to a child , about to have an injection. Its Maasi now instead of Uma who gives Kanak instructions to put forward her arm.. she won't feel a thing ,it'll be over in no time. Kanak's reluctance , prompts Maasi to coerce Kanak , she has to prove she is brave and fit to be Uma's wife. Like always Maasi is into singing Uma's praises. Suman too adds dares for Kanak, to see her sister in law go through excruciating pain and subservience before her dadasa !
Putting the hand forward to be branded with the red hot burning rod!has to be a daunting task .. but strategic planning in the cloakroom , comes to Kanak by sighting Palomi's bangle clad arm! Now at the ceremony the right arm to the left arm creates a mighty muddle in the ceremony! To the point of cancelling the final ritual as the burning metal stamp requires a bare arm! Kanak's Right arm! Which now holds the ritualistic wedding bangles for good omen for the couple! Thus Kanak again by sheer presence on mind uses, custom and practice , and Maasi's strict doctrine of right and wrong to saving her own skin from this gruelling tradition of get herself marked and branded by cauterization! Her so called impurities ! as far as Kanak can see the purification rituals have suffered a setback! But Kanak may be a bit hasty as the mighty Uma Shankar gallantly for god and love! offers his right arm! For marking! He is ready to be burnt in place of her.. as long as she rests her right hand on his right arm! for what difference does it make who is marked! ?Uma explains to the priest since his wife cannot undertake the task in hand, as her husband he deems himself as best fit to complete the ritual on her behalf! Uma's gets his arm singed thus proving to the deities, his duty towards his wife in all scenarios ..for better or for worse! Once done, he gives a rather stumped Kanak a sided look ,echoing the priests words that as of now they are man and wife! Who will live their lives for each other. Will Kanak now begin to soften her stance for Uma Shankar now? he seems to have qualified as the best fit for her in hard times..he sure fixed the situation she tried to tamper with..rather well.
Golu is being fitted into a rather tight bridal sherwani . Meenakshi is desperate to fit her son's wedding plus fix the shops sale. Bhabo happens to pass by and her eyes beam when she notices how stunning and well meenaskhi looks. Mr. Kandelwal too wants to fix the shops transaction, hence he is on his way to Meenakshi's house to offer ayuevedic medication for her contagious chick pox! Who should the man ask for directions? Bhabo herself! He introduces himself as Meenakshi's samdhi.. Bhabo praises the son and the family.. but she fails to grasp the contagion bit.. accepts the preventive mask the man provides her as one being vulnerable and susceptible to the contagious illness..Bhabo stands unaware of the broader picture due to her progressive senility , she can only praise the family, this man is about to marry his daughter into .. Like a misfit is Bhabo now in a world without Suraj and Sandhya..
Well ..saw the episode. Eventually it ends with Kanak not being branded.. she has his brand mark now.. Surya! the sun god! he is ,will be the light of her life!! the confidence that makes up uma shankar, he gives,life,energy , clears darkness ,ignorance. will suraj's light make kanak's love come to light?? precap: Big moment for a big night.. Kanak dressed to kill ..for the nuptial night.. Bhabo at last catches the right bit of information. Vansh questioning meenaskshi was she aware that khandelwal is buying Bhabo's shop?? seeing it was his idea.. hamlet53 21.5.17
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