TSMSPJ*ep:35*12.5.17:My Impressions* Over shadowed
Today's episode for me revolves around this phrase. The very first scene sets the tone where one masculine figure Uma Shankar quite clearly attempts to cast a shadow over his wife by instructing her to walk behind him in the queue leading to worship. Makes me wonder if the aim is to draw an overall comparison between man and wife? If you ask me his family certainly sees a comparison with Uma Shankar in the dominant position, and Kanak less significant in comparison.
Follow the bastion of faith in the lead, in a single file! Who comes behind him directly shows the nearest ,closest to him. In this case Kanak is behind him directly. Massi's reminders of purification's significance, for Kanak are overshadowed by her preoccupation with locating a phone to reach Arvind. Their walk is at snail's pace annoys her, she attempts to overtake Uma..only she is stopped and reminded it's the husband who leads and a wife's duty is follow behind him as his shadow. Hard to swallow sexist attitude in this day and age, as who leads? man or woman who can be subject to individual circumstances. The scriptures preaching equality seems to become less significant here for Uma. Is this a show of, how to maintain power over the follow the leader family members. A giddy pensive Kanak colliding into Uma, and him stopping her stumble, titillates Maasi ! probably she mocks Kanak. Holding her hand will surely put a stop to her bumping, and falling about reckons Uma..
The importance of the purification ritual is drummed into Kanak umpteenth times by Maasi , but the proceedings were not mentioned to here.Hence her participation in seeking blessings from the revered holy cow is over shadowed by much fear. Her own nervousness transfers to the sacred cow. Many an eye brow is raised at Kanak's poor faith knowledge. She only follow Uma! is the brief! Reflect his moves! But despite Uma's easy demonstration of exactly what to do during the holy ritual.. Kanak's usual strength of being fearless in taking risks, is over clouded by fear of the restless animal. Yet Uma, offers his arm for her to follow. But Kanak sees this as prolonging her agony. On the other hand, no opportunity is left spare,to embarrass Kanak by this sanctimonious family. Meaning is even read into which limbs she uses! The positive view is, Uma takes the lead, and with wife in tow they circumambulations around the revered cow. However, putting the tilak is the big challenge for Kanak !one jerk of the cows head and her drawstring pouch falls as fodder under the revered animals mouth!! Kanak's panic ridden call! Her pouch! switches on Maasi's radar! Something fishy! But for the heroic one elbow , long legged cartwheel feat! of the supple and athletic Uma Shankar the lady's bag! is retrieved! Dramatically with the bag pressed in his palms he pays homage to the revered cow , invokes her blessings for a long content wedded life spanning over seven birth. But Kanak whilst in prayers, eyes only her pouch...
Pappu,Bhabo scene in the Rathi household. A doting mother still lies overshadowed by the hypnotic essence of her children Suraj and Sandhya's memories. Her recollections seem to others faulty, but here with Dippy Pappu! Again Bhabo indulges in making banners , yellow with red font! Making a list , of mouth watering sweet delicacies , nutty confectionary drizzled with memories laddos! chum chum ,jalebi!! Sinful palatable indulgences! Bhabo continues to live her life in the soothing shade of her memories. Her family on the face of it supports her weakness, and so does time in some way! What with the 65th anniversary on its way Santosh Rathi is afforded yet another chance to live in the long disappeared shadow of her children.. Suraj and Sandhya.
Ved and Vansh's confirmed knowledge that Kanak sweet mart belonged to their Bhabo is sudden eclipsed by the odd fact her name is nonexistent. Government electronic tables from the last seven years reveal names of traders names in Hanuman lane and the said shop shows Santosh Rawat as the previous owner but currently the sweet shop is registered against the name of Uma Shankar.. Ved points out its a mistake. The registry officer agrees may be an electronic error. Ved requests if he gets any further information regards the matter, to contact. Both the brothers see this as a possible problem regards disposing off the shop. The startling discrepancy in Bhabo's real and complete name is a major identity issue. Worse still, it stands over shadowed by the fact that she suffers from senility which may be deemed as one with not a wholly of sane mind, to confirm her identity. What with the papers missing, shop under someone else name, it seems the Rathi family is under the dark shadow of a solar eclipse, one Uma Shankar Toshniwal !
Ceremony over , Kanak's face is overshadowed by his imposing persona.. will he hand over her pouch purse with its precious contents? Her beloved Bhabo's papers! Uma Shankar does and she receives it with a sigh of relief. Like a hawk Maasi's talons descend on Kanak hands and her pouch is snatched from her hands! Confiscated ! like a sweet from an eager child!
While Uma is whisked away for treatment for minor elbows scuffs by Maasi , the precious confiscated pouch goes with her too! Kanak returns to her room minus her purse, needless to say she is bogged down the dark shadow of doom and gloom! Panic hits her what if her theft of Bhabo s papers if found out? she will have to think fast to come out of this shady situation she thinks about the worst possible scenario.. heavens! by now they must have seen the papers!
Like Satan tempting Eve to eat the apple in the garden of Eden. So Maasi tempts Uma to look through Kanak's pouch drawstring purse. She bends his ears about Kanak , being secretive , clingy about her belongings.. he may trust her ,but she has no trust in her! she winds Uma up! that Kanak has given very little away about herself! Why? Will Uma break codes of privacy and go through Kanak's bag???
For me the episode exhibits, characters that dominate, Bhabo , Maasi ,Uma.. and Kanak in her own inimitable style. Bhabo's shop papers hold much significance in two households! Some engaging bits for me were the scenes in the Rathi family.. the revelation in the registry office.. and the precap..nail biting did he actually go through her purse?? Well Kanak best come up with some plausible replies to his questions.. me groaning... tell him the truth! Hamlet53 13.5.17
Have a good weekend everybody!! Love hammie
