TSMSPJ*ep: 48* 27.5.17: My Impression Cold Shoulder..
To give or to receive the cold shoulder is related to the emotion of being subjected to an attitude of rejection. In literary terms it can be seen as the direct antithesis of a warm hug. The word cold suggests deliberate coldness or disregard in attitude. Today's episode, to me deals with both the main protagonists of the story line.Namely Kanak and Uma Shankar, both of whom in their own instances smart under the strain of rejection. Both in their own scenarios have a sense of denunciation. It all boils down to the fact that as humans we aspire to be accepted within our environments , amongst our loved ones. The fact that we come into being is an act of acceptance between two parties. Hence if, at any point in life we experience a sense of being abandoned, especially by those whom we care for. We tend to go to pieces , and sound off to relieve ourselves in the manner best known to us.. either speak in silence or express themselves in a tirade! If only the lamp and the wick can be aware that both undergo a process where the emotional distance between them alongside the distance of the miles renders them both dysfunctional into giving any light. Therefore the dark ignorance of each others sufferings hangs over them.
To begin with Uma shankar's complete household suffers with the cold shoulder dealt at them by Kanak. Rather severly Kanak's shocking act of runaway bride is judged. Cold shoulder always warrants some form of reaction from the receiving party. How easily Kanak in turn is made redundant from her married status. Maasi the elder of the household once more takes the important decision about Uma's marital status. To me in fact, Massi thinks Uma is not perhaps of sane mind to deal with the grave issue of his wife deserting him rather unceremoniously. Uma on the other hand adopts the strategy of maintaining an aloof silence. He is sending of the message of silent treatment to the rest of his family. In simple terms , he is unwilling to talk about it.. his silence clearly speaks larger than words that he is cut up by Kanak's elopement. For Massi too, his silence on the issue, is giving her the cold shoulder. Massi only wants to assess the damage done? now if she is sensible , she would gauge that perhaps leave Uma to get on with it, would be the best possible way forward. Uma's silence speaks volumes, as it certainly shows the man looks at things in a fairly orderly fashion. Grooms himself follows routine, seemingly ,but when it comes to tell tale signs of times he spent with her. Even in silence, his heart beats dim and sound faint. But he still appears to take life in a stride. Seemingly his silence is perhaps an expression of his anger and disapproval? This is my supposition, for all I know, he may have given Kanak his usual emotional cold shoulder, or is he silently wrestling with the value of marriage.
Interestingly, the contrast when Massi wrote Kanak off as Uma's bride.. and Kanak dressing up as a bride is quite poignant. Several queries conjure up in my mind. By her expression she appears regretful that she ran away? If this is the reason, then it goes to show that Kanak still respects the institution of marriage, and it's not about jumping in and out of it willy nilly! does she regret her action? I think perhaps not.. when she considers how he duped Bhabo into getting possession of her sweet shop. Thus the only reason I think Kanak looks morose in the bridal dress is due to the giant step she is about to take soon enough, dressed as a bride.
It's no coincidence that the shop and Kanak both end up looking like young brides! However one bride is sweet in essence ,but the other riddled by feelings of being cast off!! will these two brides meet at the cross roads called Bhabo today?? There is sweetness and light around Kanak sweet shop.. a celebration amongst family ,friends, acquaintances! as this bride progresses on. No celebrations surround the lonely bride..each step that she takes in her bridal attire, speaks of no fear! No tears! No hesitation! Only one goal in mind she too is Suraj and Sandhya's child! Kanak comes to the shop and family to make some important declarations!
Within the shop celebrations, to me a cold shoulder is given by the CVs to anti faith elements in a democratic nation. The message of peace and harmony between faith communities, especially at the beginning of Ramdan is revered in the scene where its mentioned that Vansh had gone to the shrine of the Muslim saint at Ajmer sharif to offer thanks for Bhabo's recovery...
It's yet another celebration a warm hug as opposed to a cold shoulder of womanhood , when the two Rathi women from both ends of the spectrum of the family Kanak and Bhabo walk in their own manner to pay homage to the memory of Suraj and Sandhya.. Cold shoulders will be given to keeping things from the family! Ved overwhelmed by seeing Bhabo over the moon at the celebrations confesses to Bhabo for prompting the sale of the shop! but he promises never to sell the shop! The lonely bride finally arrives at the shop! within her own mind she mulls over , she will not weaken now! BY REJECTION!
Kanak dressed as a bride arrives at her intended destination! All look upon her in aghast! The bridal attire does not go unnoticed and is received with mixed emotions!! Happiness, surprise.. and a cold shoulder attitude from Bhabo.. but Kanak says the one thing closest to her heart , in reply to Ved, that no matter what price is put up for the shop! no price can match the value it holds for Bhabo! Thus the shop cannot be sold!
Pity! This bride's clothes are noticed and cold shoulder is given to the fact , that little Kanak jests not! her brother fobs off her attire as some drama getup! But Kanak knows that behind this marriage apparel prop! stands the truth that Bhabo in fact wants to hear not about! Somehow Uma Shankar's provides a bridal armour gives Kanak to unleash many pent up emotions against Bhabo's rejection, in particular. In fact the shop's illegal sale actually provides Kanak the platform to fight Bhabo's step daughter treatment! with a few home truths! Yes!her first step to winning back both her Bhabo and the shop! is to launch the attack against Uma . To accept herself as his wife before her family!! Kanak's tirade is aimed to win back and rally all her family around her! so together! they forge forward as a united force to release Bhabo's from the grip of her husband.. Uma Shankar!!
Finally the highlight of the episode.. where the youngest Rathi woman fights the eldest Rathi woman Bhabo's age old silent treatment towards her with equal cold shoulder! Uma's bride defies all and tells them she married out of choice! Which in itself is irony as Uma imposed a forced marriage upon her! next she tells her family that they cannot impose their will upon her.. as she was anothers wife now! to Bhabo she delivers a cold cut by saying her marriage to maynak is off! She lashes out at Bhabo that it was never her welfare she sought! Her idea was always to palm Kanak off! as far as possible! That she was never treated like a granddaughter but like a guest... Kanak cries even times never thawed Bhabo's cold shoulder.. Kanak taunts Bhabo she gave her consent to marrying Mayank only to make her happy! But it seems that her hate towards her is enormous! but she fails to see the true worth of Kanak's love..
Basically it was yet another moving episode..where Kanak plays herself but in a slightly changed position..as that of an outsider ,Uma Shankar's wife! but the truth of the matter is being an outsider .. she still plans to work for the Rathi's against Uma Shankar! Kanak seems ready to give a test to gain back Bhabo's shop and a pat for her back from bhabo?? ..but what of Uma Shankar? he is elusive in his cold shoulder.. articulation.. hamlet 53 28.5.17