Vows and Woes: Translation of संस्कार और भावना (Vishnu Prabhakar)

 

संस्कार और भावना

- विष्णु प्रभाकर

Vows and Woes

 

Characters

Maa            : A Hindu woman who deeply believes in traditions and values.

Atul            : Maa's younger son.

Uma           : Atul's wife.

Ramsingh : Servant

The maid

Avinash (Maa's elder son) and his wife.

[The stage captures the scene of a middle-class household's garden. There are two doors towards the east; they are closed. The door on the west leads outside and is also closed. The kitchen is in the northern portion of the house and so is the verandah. There is a bigger verandah on the southern side; one door leads to the living room and the other outside. Whatever is seen is clean, aesthetic and speaks of high status. There is a sofa in the living room. The kitchen area is spotless and various things have been placed appropriately in the shelves. A cot lies in the garden, along with two chairs and a pet-table. Empty plates from lunch are kept on the table. Uma is lying on the cot. She is a youthful and attractive woman. Resting on her elbow, she is staring into nothingness. Her sari is in disarray. Her earring is tangled in the loose strands of her hair and covers her cheek. In front of her is an open book. She slips deep into her thoughts while reading the book and whispers.]

Uma    : (softly to herself) We have ideas, opinions, that we are willing to oppose till death. But there comes a time when we quietly accept those exact same ideas.

[Whispering, she glances into the book, then again looks on vacantly. Her eyes hold determination and the red rays of the evening sun scatter off her face. Uma is so lost in her own thoughts that she doesn't even notice the servant who enters from the kitchen verandah and proceeds to take away the dishes. Her head is resting backwards gently in the same way and sunlight is reflected from her earrings, making her hair look breathtakingly beautiful. At the same time, the west door opens and Maa enters. She is a widow and presently her face is full of sadness. Her eyes bear sorrow and her body speaks of fatigue. She has a warm blanket covering her sari. Hearing Maa's footsteps, Uma gives a start and straightens up her sari. Maa walks towards her and sits heavily on the cot, saying:]

Maa    : (in a sad tone) Did you hear, Uma?

Uma    : (in surprise) What Maa ji?

Maa    : Avinash was very sick last month.

Uma    : Really?

Maa    : Yes.

Uma    : He {Atul, her husband} never said anything about it.

Maa    : What would he say. Does he even go there?

Uma    : But still he could have heard the news. Who told you about it?

Maa     : I went to Kumar's house. The domestic help there told me. She said, "Your son was very unwell, he barely escaped from death's clutches." I was rooted in shame hearing that. My son was sick and I did not even come to know about it.

[Maa's eyes well up with tears and her voice falters.]

Maa    : When he used to get cough as a child, I wouldn't eat for days and be unable to sleep too; he {her late husband} used to try to make me understand, he would even get angry with me but I could never bring myself.... but now...

[She can't speak further and bursts into tears. Uma tries to console her]

Uma    : (in a kind voice) Maa, Maa! Please don't cry. What is your fault in this?

Maa    : (still crying) Whose fault is it then? Everyone is pointing fingers at me. That maid was saying that however she may be, the Bahu {daughter-in-law} took care of her husband with such devotion and saved him with her life. She was alone, but never stuck out her hand for help. The maid just brought her medicines once or twice. Otherwise, she would get the medicines herself, finish the chores and take care of Avinash all by herself.

Uma  : But Maa, what actually happened to Bhaiya {elder brother}?

Maa   : Cholera.

Uma  : (dumbstruck) Cholera….. ohh…

Maa   : He escaped death, dear. Ten days have passed but he is still not well enough to go back to the office.

Uma  : What a surprise that he {Atul} didn’t even come to know of this.

Maa   : Even if he knew, is he the one to share!

Uma  : (hurt) But Maa, this is….

Maa   : (sternly) I know. They are my sons, aren’t they? They are devoid of love and compassion. They have only learnt to start speaking of country, duty and responsibility. After all, their father was like that too: harsh and feelingless. I remember when Atul was a little boy, almost dying. At that time, he calmly started clearing up space on the floor to lay his son’s body (bites her fingers). Is there such a father who would not even cry for his son? And these are the sons of such a father. They have always admonished me for being soft and weak.

[Uma is flooded with mixed emotions. First her face bespoke sympathy, which presently turns into slight rage,]

Uma  : But Maa! It is all Bhabhi’s {sister-in-law, anni} fault.

Maa   : That is there, but she…

Uma  : (cutting in) I know very well. She looks all so innocent, but…

Maa   : (shocked) Innocent…?

Uma  : Yes, very innocent Maa! Really pretty. Once you see her, you won’t be able to forget her face. You will want to set eyes on her again and again. Big, black eyes that embody an infant’s laughter, cheeks that turn pink at the slightest smile.

Maa   : (more shocked) But Uma! Have you really seen Avinash’s wife?

Uma  : (regaining composure) Yes Maa.

Maa   : When?

Uma  : One day when you were angry and saddened by something Atul said, I went to Bhabhi. It was afternoon and you had slept. It’s true Maa! Bengalis are so beautiful. She smiled and greeted me with folded hands when she saw me. When I introduced myself, she was taken aback but immediately hugged me to her chest.

Maa   : (still stunned) But you never told me.

Uma  : I never wanted to tell you.

Maa   : Why?

Uma  : Because I went to fight with her.

Maa   : (horrified) Went to fight!

Uma  : Oh yes! I had gone to fight with her because she was the reason for your woes. If she wasn’t there then bhaiya would not have gone away from you and that’s exactly what I told her.

Maa   : (listening raptly) Really?

Uma  : Oh yes!

Maa   : Then?

Uma  : First she smiled after hearing me out then said, “What is my fault in this?” I got very angry, I cut in and asked her, “Whose fault is it then? If you didn’t want it then bhaiya would never have left Maa. You could still reverse everything now: you just leave bhaiya. You…you…

Maa   : (astounded) Uma, Uma! You said all this…?

Uma  : (as if in a trance) Yes I said it very clearly: Separating a mother from her son is a sin, it is torture to break a mother’s heart. Even laying down your life to overturn that suffering and that pain is insignificant.

Maa   : (paying rapt attention) What did she say?

Uma  : She said, “Sister I agree that there is nothing bigger than a mother’s love for her son. A wife is devoted to her husband not only with the society as witness but her heart stands witness to her love for him. So she can never think of hurting him to please someone, be it his own mother. If a wife does so, she is a sinner. Think of it, aren’t you a wife too? Even if you did not choose your husband out of your own will like I did, you still love him…” I did not like her words and said, “All wives are devoted to their husband. I too love him; I love him more than my life.” Hearing this, she wasn’t unsettled or stunned, she said, “I don’t know about everyone. I don’t have the right either. But I know that you love your husband very much, that is why you are here. I know Atul very well too. After all, he is his brother. He has come to me many times.

Maa   : (quite shocked) Atul has gone there!

Uma  : Yes Maa, she only said so. I was shocked too. I asked, “He comes here?” to which she laughed and told me, “Don’t be scared. He did not necessarily come to see his brother, but comes regarding office-work. He has told me about you and I know that you love him. Think of it, what if someone tells you: “You leave Atul because his mother and his family have not consented to this marriage.” So will you…” I could not bear to listen further. I shouted, “Stop it bhabhi…” but she took a breath only after she finished that sentence, “…will you leave him then? Tell me…” Then I got very furious and said, “No bhabhi! I will not leave him. Even if I wanted to.“ Hearing this, she smiled pleasantly and said, “Good! Now leave these things. You have just come and you started off this tirade. Come let’s go inside.” But Maa! I don’t know what had happened to me. My inner voice trembled, looking at her made me feel like I was floating away, like I was there but I wasn’t. Anyone dumbfounded by something beautiful feels like that. But what happened was that I could not bring myself to stay there. Her voice was still calling out to me as I walked off from there.

Maa   : (as if awaken from a dream) So you just came back?

Uma  : Yes.

Maa   : (in a grave tone) Uma! So you also went there. Atul also goes there; you all go there. You people are harsh while I am bound by sad love and compassion for my son, I crave to see his face. This is all so messed….

Uma  : (apologetically) But Maa, we didn’t go to meet them, right? We went to…

Maa   : (interrupts) They say that unconscious feelings are stronger than consciousness. There is more passion to it, that is why you people were pulled towards one another. Be it love or hatred, but in reality, it was the blood that increased your proximity. I wish… (voice drops low) wish I was harsh too, unfeeling enough to unchain myself from being a slave to my vows and values. He himself told me so, “Being a slave to traditions is your biggest enemy.”

Uma  : Bhaiya said that?

Maa   : Yes, he only said that. I tried so hard to make him understand, understand my love for him. But he always kept saying, “Maa, bringing up children is the moral duty of parents. They are not doing anyone any favour by taking care of their own children; they are just repaying their loan to the nation. Their satisfaction should come from fully repaying this loan, that is by bringing up the child well. Any further affectation is a sin.” But what can I do? I want exactly what he is denying me. Not only me but all parents would wish the same. That is when I think that that witch has snatched my son from me, but truth be told: she cannot be blamed.

Uma  : Maa! I think so too.

[Atul enters. He is the picture of a healthy youth, with wheatish complexion, a stern countenance but understanding eyes. On seeing him, Uma stands up and looks at him for a long moment. He is calm as always. She walks off to the kitchen. Atul comes straight and seats himself on the chair, looking at Maa.]

Atul   : What is cooking, Maa!

Maa   : (ignoring his question) Did you hear the news?

Atul   : What?

Maa   : (eyes welling up) Avinash was seriously ill.

Atul   : (removing his shoes) Yes, he had gotten cholera.

Maa   : (astonished) You knew it!

Atul   : Yes.

Maa   : But you never told me.

Atul   : Tell you, why?

Maa   : Why, am I not his mother?

Atul   : (smiles) Sure you are his mother, but what would you have done had I told you about it? Would you have gone to see him?

[Maa does not answer. Atul speaks again.]

Atul   : I knew it, you would not be able to go there and what would happen even if you did. Unless you can bring that bhabhi who belongs to a low social status and different caste home, your talk of love and compassion is useless. All of you are so feelingless, so heartless…

Maa   : (cuts in) I am heartless…?

Atul   : Not only are you heartless but you are a coward too. You do not have the strength and courage to break the traditions that were imposed on you.

[Uma enters with a tea-tray that she is taking into one of the rooms. She hears Atul and stops to speak.]

Uma  : But you have that strength, right? You must have gone there?

Atul   : I did not have any reason to go there so I didn’t go.

Uma  : (tea-cups shake) You also didn’t go?

Maa   : What, you too did not go!

Atul   : Go and do what?

Uma  : (mocks angrily) Doesn’t hearing the news that your brother is dying make your heart melt?

Atul   : (calmly) Uma, if you knew bhaiya, then you wouldn’t talk like this. Forget me, he wouldn’t even let my doctor have a look at him.

Uma  : But you are still his brother. Seeing you might have given him some strength. He…

Atul   : (gets up and calls for the servant) Ramsingh, get some water.

[Hurried footsteps and sounds are heard from the background.]

Ramsingh   : Bringing, sir.

Atul   : (turns to face Uma) See Uma, there is no one more important than bhabi to bhaiya, and we have to digest this bitter truth. So in her presence, we never had the right to do anything, and we still don’t.

[Uma walks off in annoyance. Maa also stands up. The servant has brought water. Atul washed his hands and face. Only the sound of water is heard for some time, then the door leading outside opens. The maid walks in. She is an old woman and she has a torn rug thrown over her sari. She glances at Atul timidly and goes inside the room. Atul barely notices her. The whispers from the room rise in loudness and the conversation becomes fast-paced. The rays of the sun slowly bid farewell for the day and evening sets in to cradle the tired world. Maa steps out of the room looking very worried. Her footsteps are weak and so is her voice.]

Maa   : Atul! Did you hear further!

Atul   : What Maa!

Maa   : Now that Avinash has recovered, his wife has fallen ill. They say that it is hopeless.

Atul   : Yes, I have heard of it.

[Uma enters.]

Uma  : Heard of what?

Atul   : That bhabhi is on her deathbed.

Uma  : (shocked) What?

Maa   : So you are aware of this also!

Atul   : Yes Maa! I know it and I am also aware of the fact that bhabhi had risked her life to save bhaiya; however, bhaiya is not yet strong enough to save bhabhi.

Maa   : Atul, so Avinash’s wife will die!

Atul   : That’s what I heard.

[Uma looks at Maa in surprise and then at her husband.]

Uma  : What are you saying? You didn’t go there? No, no, you must go there.

Atul   : (still calm) It’s of no use, Uma! Bhaiya has one huge drawback: whatever he says, he knows how to do it. He doesn’t have money but that does not mean the he will go ask for alms. He may break, but he would never bend down.

Uma  : (shudders) But what if something happens to bhabhi… then?

Atul   : (gravely) If something happens to bhabhi, what would happen then? (breath trembles) No Uma, I do not have the right to think further than this.

Maa   : But I do.

Atul   : (still grave) You don’t have the right either Maa. But if you think otherwise, then there’s no one to stop you.

Maa   : Then I will think: if something happens to Avinash’s wife, then… probably Avinash also…

[Words don’t come out of her mouth and her voice breaks. Uma looks at her.]

Uma  : (stunned, saddened) Maa, Maa!

Maa   : Yes dear, I know him, he won’t be saved, he will not live.

Uma  : (tensed) Maa what are you saying?

Atul   : Maa you know this much?

Maa   : Yes Uma, Atul! I am right, he will die. The power to save him is only in me, only I have it…

Uma and Atul       : (together) Maa…

Maa   : (in the same manner) Atul! I am telling you, you take me to them once. He is harsh but I am Maa. I must not be heartless. I will go to him.

[Uma tingles with joy, Atul remains serious.]

Uma  : Maa, you are so good!

Atul   : Now come Maa, but before we go, think properly of one thing. Unless you are ready to welcome that lady of a different caste into this house, going there is futile.

Maa   : (calmly) I know Atul. That is why I want to go.

Atul   : (happily) If that is the case then let’s go Maa, let us go right now. (loudly) Ramsingh! Get the tonga, right now. And Uma! You too come, hurry Uma…

[Saying so, Atul walks out through the big room; his eyes are brimming with tears. Maa and Uma gaze vacantly for a few moments. The environment attains a peaceful aura. Sentences from the book float into Uma’s mind. She whispers.]

Uma  : There are ideas, opinions, things that we are ready to oppose even if we have to die. But there comes a time, and whatever the reason may be, we accept the same ideas.

[Her face is brightened by a heartfelt smile.]

*Screen descends*