"Munimji, shall I tell all the vehicle drivers?" "What are you saying?" "The matter will spread everywhere." "But what if something goes wrong?" "All the vehicle drivers will be in trouble." "There's no need to be afraid." "I'm with you." "We'll get across overnight." " All right." "'Oh my dear, do not lie." "One has to go to God... '" "'There's neither an elephant nor a horse.' '... you have to walk up there.'" "'Oh my dear, do not lie." "One has to go to God... '" "'There's neither an elephant nor a horse.' '... you have to walk up there.'" "'Oh my dear, do not lie... '" "'Your palaces and courtyards will be left here... '" "'Why the pride, my dear... '" "'Why the pride, my dear... ' '... this head has to be bowed.'" "'Oh my dear, do not lie... '" "'Do good, good will be done unto you... '" "'Do bad, bad will be done unto you... '" "'What's the point of writing there... '" "'What's the point of writing there... ' '... everything has to be settled here.'" "'Oh my dear, do not lie." "One has to go to God.'" "'You lost your childhood in play... ' '... you slept through your youth.'" "'The childhood passed away in play... ' '... you slept through your youth... ' '... and cried when you saw your old age.'" "'... it's the same old story.'" "'Oh my dear, do not lie." "One has to go to God.'" "'There's neither an elephant nor a horse.' '... you have to walk up there.'" "Hey, driver." "Stop the cart." "Hukam Singh, surround them all." "We've caught him this time." "What do you say, Munimji?" "Officer." "Officer." " Come on down!" "Come on down!" "Officer... officer." " Come on down!" "Officer... officer." " Come on down!" "I'd said this earlier that this fellow would would create trouble." "You scoundrel." "You have started black-marketing again?" "This time I'll get you ten years." "And 2 years for these bloody cart-drivers." "Oh, sir." "Forgive me today." "I have no one." "Only you can help me." "You are everything." "I touch your feet." "I have no one." "Master, take the money." "Keep all the goods." " Quiet!" "Let me go for once." "Just once." "I'll never do it again." "Master, I have young children." "3000. - 3000!" "You are again offering money?" "Master, I'm you child." "I'm your servant." "Your slave." "Your subject." "I will not do it again." "I'll not do it again." " Quiet!" "He's running!" "He's running!" "Catch them all." "They shouldn't escape." "Fire!" "I'll never do it again." "What have you done?" "Oh!" "Why aren't you speaking?" "Where's your cart?" "Cart?" "There's no cart, sister-in-law." "No cart?" "What's happened to your cart?" "I regret it." "I regret it very much." "Oh!" "Will you say something or only stand there holding your ears?" "I swear, sister-in-law." "I'll never again load black-market goods." "Black-market goods?" "I'd loaded black-market goods and the police stopped the cart." "I escaped somehow with the bullocks or 2 or 3 years in jail..." "Mother Kali save us!" "Beware, don't ever do such a thing again." "Oh my God!" "The third Oath." "Hey, you cart driver!" "Can't you see?" " Forgive me, brother." "Forgive me, brother." "Can't bloody see." "Ruined my cart." "I'll kill you." "I didn't do it purposely." "I didn't do it purposely." "It was a mistake." " Didn't do it purposely, eh?" "I didn't do it purposely." "I swear I'll never load bamboo again." "I'll never load bamboo again." "Enough... enough." "Forgive me." "I'll never make a mistake again." "Forgive me." "I'll never make a mistake again." "Don't you look where you are going?" "It's good you have come." "Some bamboo is to be brought from Nandgaon tomorrow morning." "Leave early." "I won't carry bamboo." "Settle my account." "You want some money?" "Take it." "Take the rest tomorrow." "No, Munimji." "I've sworn that I won't carry bamboo or stolen stuff." "Funny man." "How can I find another man so late at night?" "Go on." "Get this stuff tomorrow." "Settle my account, Munimji." "All right." "Then, keep the cart here." "I'll also have to take an oath that I'll never give my cart to the likes of Hiraman." "If you don't want to." "Wait up." "Count it again." " I've counted it." "Go away." "Post Haripur." " District Puremia." "District Puremia." " Not Puremia." "District Purnea," "Take this." "Oh my goodness." "The money-lender's bullock cart is coming." "Come on, Chaudhary." "You come in, too." "Come on." "Come on." "Listen." "Tell him I'm not home." "Shanta's father is not at home." "If he's not at home, where has he gone?" "I touch your feet, sister-in-law." "May you live long." "Whose new bullock-cart is this?" " Yours." "What do you mean mine?" " Uncle has come!" "Oh!" "Look." "I've brought you a new doll." "Go look inside." "Go." "Munni, look at my doll." "But whose is this cart?" "Don't you like it?" "Who will not like a new cart?" "Have you bought it?" "Yes, sister-in-law." "Where has this new cart come from." "Oh, brother." "If we sit down to listen to the tale of the bullock-cart, the money-lender will really arrive." "Come on." "Let's go." "Hiraman, tell me truth." "Where did you get so much money to buy a new bullock cart?" "It's the blessing of your Mother, sister-in-law." "Don't lie." "You've loaded stolen goods again." "Not stolen goods." "Tiger." "Tiger." "Tiger?" "So, have you been wrestling with the tiger?" "Think that if you wish." "It was such a big tiger!" "You didn't understand, did you?" "Oh, sister-in-law." "I had to tow the tiger-cage of a circus company." "No one would accept this job." "All cart drivers failed." "I said my bullocks will pull it." "I got a full 150 rupees and I bought this cart." "Now, tell me." "Oh brave man." "Go and have a bath first." "You stink." "Get up!" "It's funny." "Can't see anyone." "But you rest peacefully here." "Oh, brother, whose cart is this?" "Hey, cart driver!" "Is that your cart." " Yes." "Why?" "We have to go to the Garhbaneli fair." "Garhbaneli?" "That's 40 miles away." "I'll take 30 rupees." "Yes." "Yes." "I'll pay you." "Take these 5 rupees first and I'll pay the rest when we reach the fair." "I'm going by train." "Listen." " What?" "Is it some stolen goods, or what?" " No, brother." "Not at all." "And bamboo?" "Even if you pay me a hundred rupees I won't carry a load of bamboo." "Oh, have you gone blind?" "Does one tie up bamboo in a bundle?" "It's a passenger." "A passenger." "A lady passenger." "I'm going." "I won't come down." "I won't come down." "I won't." "Everyone calls me a drunkard." "You've got into mischief eating free stuff, have you?" "Come on down." "You come down!" "I won't come down." "I won't." "Watch the fun but leave the road open, brother." "You watch the fun, too, brother." "It's all because of money." "Why don't you come off the roof?" "Don't you see the road is blocked?" "Will you get me off the roof?" "Don't lecture me." "It's my wish." "I won't come down." "He won't listen." "Come on down!" "Come down!" "Clear the road now, brother." "Clear the road." "Get aside." "Get aside." "I won't come down." " Come on down." "Protect us, Bholenath." "Protect us." "The Sultan forest is spread for miles and it's night time." "I don't know what kind of passenger it is." "I can smell some perfume from time to time from the cart." "My back also itches." "I only law a foot." "I don't know it was straight or turned around." "I hope it is not a she-demon." "I'll make an offering of a rupees and a quarter." "Save me this time, Bholenath." "Save me." "Oh my goodness!" "This is a fairy." " Fairy?" "Where is the fairy?" "Hey!" "Do you think it is a sack of goods?" "Quiet!" "Oh!" "Don't hit them." "You mind it if I hit the bullocks?" "Let them walk slowly." "What's the hurry?" "Brother, what is your name?" "Oh!" "I..." " What's your name, brother?" "My name is Hiraman." "Hiramn." "Oh!" "Then, I'll not call you brother but Meeta (a companion)" "What?" "My name is also Hira, you know." "When the names are the same you call them Meeta." "There's a lot of difference in the names of men and women." "Where's the difference." "I'm Hira and so are you." "Oh you." "Will you walk the 60 miles just like that?" "Who else do you have in the house?" "My older brother is a farmer." "Sister-in-law." "There's Shanta and the two kids of Kajri." "And children?" "There's Shanta, isn't she?" "And Kajri's two kids." "Are they both boys?" " What boys?" "Yours." "Kajri is your wife, isn't she?" "Why?" "What happened?" "Oh!" "Kajri is a cow." "A cow." "And she has two calves." "I see!" "So, you are not married yet?" "I was." "But even before the home-coming, the bride died." "How long ago was this?" "Long time. 15 or 20 years have passed by." "Then, didn't you marry?" "How could I marry?" "Sister-in-law said she would get me married to a young girl." "That's quite right." "Don't you understand?" "She means a girl 7 or 8 years old." "Oh God!" "How is that possible?" "There are laws against it." "Who obeys laws?" "Why doesn't sister-in-law change her mind?" "Sister-in-law is adamant." "I've also decided I won't marry." "Why's that?" "Oh!" "Who will go and buy oneself trouble?" "And after I marry, how can I drive the cart?" "I'm ready to leave everything in the world but not cart-driving." "May I smoke a Beedi?" "Will it stink?" "No." "Go ahead." "All right." "Tell me." "Your home is in what district?" "Kanpur." "Why?" "What's the matter?" "Kanpur!" "?" "Then there must be a Nagpur also." "Yes." "There's a Nagpur, too." "What a world it is!" "What names they have made?" "All right." "Who's there in your house?" "The whole world." " What?" "The whole world." "It is another matter that one, who has the whole world has nobody as his own" "Dear Gulfam, don't go now." "I'll not let you go." "I'll never let you go?" "Is that so?" "Won't you listen?" "When separation is written in my destiny, why should I blame you?" "Goodbye." "There's no one my own in this whole world." "Neither in the garden nor outside it." "'My lover has become a foe.'" "'My lover has become a foe.'" "'If it's a letter, anyone can read it.'" "'If it's a letter, anyone can read it... ' '... no one can read destiny.'" "'My deeds have become my enemies.'" "'My lover has gone and settled abroad... ' '... he's in my co-wife's arms... '" "'... there's no message and no news... ' '... though the seasons change.'" "'I've drowned in the middle of the whirlpool... '" "'I've drowned in the middle of the whirlpool... ' '... after having crossed the seas.'" "'My lover has become a foe.'" "'My home is desolate, my lap is empty... ' '... no one knows of a cure.'" "'My desolate love shudders... ' '... motherly love sheds tears... '" "'Neither is there anyone my own on this bank... '... nor is there one on that bank.'" "'My lover has become a foe.'" "'If it's a letter, anyone can read it... ' '... no one can read destiny.'" "'My deeds have become my enemies.'" "'My lover has become a foe.'" "Why did you drop the curtain, Hira?" "You don't know the folks here." "If they see a woman, they start ogling." "Stupid village folk that they are." "What's the state at the fair, brother?" "What do I know of the fair?" "I'm taking something Bedagi only today." "What village?" "Village Chattapur Pachida." "Where is Chattapur Pachida?" "There is." "What do you care?" "What is the meaning of Bedaagi?" "Bedaagi (unblemished) means a girl going to her in-laws' place." "I see." "So, I'm going to my in-laws' place?" "But shall I ask you something?" "Where are you going at the fair?" "To work." " To work?" "What work will you do at the fair?" "Do you know what Navtanki is?" "I work in the Navtanki." "I know Navtanki is song and dance but I haven't seen it." "Why?" " The elders in the village tell me not to and sister-in-law also doesn't like it." "So, will you get spoilt?" "All right." "Tell me something." "Who's that man who dropped you here?" "Birju." "He's coming by railroad." "I see." "Then, why didn't you go by railroad?" "If I'd gone by rail, how would I have met you?" " Oh!" "The fact is I'm leaving a dance troupe and going to the dance troupe at the fair." "'O lover, my heart doesn't listen... '" "'I wish, my dear, someone would call me.'" "'O lord, my dear, may someone call me.'" "What kind of a song is that?" "I've never heard a song like that before." "Where will you hear it from." "This is a song from Chhokra Naach' (a dance of boys)" "In older times they used to sing such nice songs." "Now, I don't understand what funny songs they play on the loudspeakers." "What are you looking at?" "Your face looks absolutely..." "What absolutely." "Tell me." "You face looks absolutely like the character in the 'Chhokra Naach.'" "Oh, God!" "Do I look like a boy?" "Of course not." "They were girls, too." "Look there." "We have reached lgachhia." "Oh!" "Wait a bit." "Everyone is hungry and thirsty." "This is river Kajri." "I'll have a bath." "Yes, of course." "But not here." "Why?" "This is the bank of the Mahua Ghatwaran." "Virgin girls don't bathe here." "Oh!" "Who is this Mahua Ghatwaran (Boatwoman)?" "She was a girl from this village." "She used to bathe here." "She looked just like a fairy." "It's an old tale." "One day a traveler came to this very bank in a boat and took her forcibly away." "From that day onwards, virgin girls don't bathe here." "All right." "Shall I bathe there?" "Yes." "That's fine." "There's no problem there." "Did you see?" "She's a virgin, too." "Now, it feels good." "You... you look after the cart." "I'll be right back." "An ant." "I fell asleep." "Come." "We'll have two morsels of food." "Where did you get so many things from." "The curds of this village are very famous." "Now, you spread your leaf." "Me?" "No, no." "First, you finish eating." "What do you mean by first and afterwards?" "Spread it, will you?" "You eat, will you?" "I'll eat afterwards." "Take it." "Take it." "I f you won't eat, gather it and keep it in your bundle." "I won't eat either." "Eat, will you?" "Yes." "Truly the curd here is very good." "Go on and eat." "Where are you going, brother?" "The fair?" "No, I'm going to village Kudwa with the doctor." "Where is she from?" "You know the Titpur hospital?" "That's where from." "She's going to see a patient." "'Why did You make this world?" "'" "I see everyone here is always singing a song." "Oh!" "What will he do but sing a song." "They say; when the heart is rent asunder, sing a song." "That's the only way to bear hardship." "The song seems even sweeter in the language of your people." "I feel that I should keep on listening." "This is the song of that Mahua Ghatwaran." "About that bank of the river Kajri." "I see." "Do you know that song?" "Sing it for me, will you?" "You really love to listen to village songs." "We will have to leave the main path." "How can one sing on the open road?" "All right." "We won't go via Haripur." "Okay?" "Oh, cart driver." "Where are you going off the main road?" "Will that road go Ladakpur?" "That's the only problem with these village folks." "They'll ask a hundred questions on the way." "Where are you going?" "What is your village?" "Where are you coming from?" "Who's sitting in the cart?" "Oh!" "Go where you want to." "Stupid villagers." "Don't be afraid." "This path will also take us to the fair." "All the people here are good." "However the people here may be, you are with me." "Now, let me hear the song." "You recall that bank of Mahua Ghatwaran?" "That was her village." "She was a boatwoman but she was a rare one." "Her father used to drink toddy and remain senseless all day." "Her step-mother was a real she-demon." "Mahua was unmarried and she had no one to call her own in the whole world." "'O Maker of this world, what came into your mind... ' '... that you made this world?" "'" "How do I describe Mahua's beauty?" "Dark eyes were like a deer." "Her face gleaming like the moon." "Long dark and silky hair up to her heels." "When she smiled it was as if lightening had dropped." "Only God can endow such beauty to a statue of clay." "'Why have you made statues of clay... ' '... this lovely earth, these shining faces?" "'" "'Why have you made this play called life?" "'" "'Why have you made this play called life... ' '... in which you have held this fair of youth.'" "'You sit and watch the fun quietly, such is your greatness.'" "'Why have you made this world?" "'Why have you made this world?" "'O Maker of this world, what came into your mind... ' '... that you made this world?" "'" "Mahua had grown and even so, there was no talk of her marriage." "Morning and evening she would weep in memory of her dead mother." "All day and night her heart would hurt." "You understand what I mean by heart, don't you?" "'You must have also suffered after making this heart... ' '... after hiding this storm of love in your heart.'" "'There must be some picture in your eyes.'" "'There must be some picture in your eyes... ' '... some tears must also have fallen from your eye lashes.'" "'Tell me what mad you do it... ' '... why have you awakened love.'" "'Why have you made this world?" "'Why have you made this world?" "'O Maker of this world, what came into your mind... ' '... that you made this world?" "'" "One day, a tired, thirsty traveler came to the river's edge to drink water." "When he saw Mahua he fell in love with her." "Naive Mahua also lost her heart to him." "Like wildfire the news of their love spread through the village." "How could the step-mother tolerate that love." "She sold off Mahua to a trader." "Thrashing and crying bitterly, Mahua went away with that trader." "The pair was broken." "Mahua's lover cries even today." "'You created love and taught us to live... ' '... taught us to laugh and to cry... '" "'You made us meet friends on the path of life... '" "'You made us meet friends on the path of life... ' '... and awakened up dreams.'" "'After awakening dreams, why did you give us separation.'" "'Why have you made this world?" "'Why have you made this world?" "'O Maker of this world, what came into your mind... ' '... that you made this world?" "'" "You are my teacher." "What are you saying?" "I'm speaking the truth." "You are my Guru." "It is written in our scriptures, that the one who teaches a single word is a Guru and the one who teaches a secret..." "You even know the scriptures?" "What have I taught you?" "Why haven't you taught me anything?" "This song." "'You created love and taught us to live... ' '... taught us to laugh and to cry... '" "'You made us meet friends on the path of life... '" "'You made us meet friends on the path of life... ' '... and awakened up dreams.'" "'After awakening dreams, why did you give us separation.'" "'Why have you made this world?" "Now I'll not be able to sing this song again." "Why?" "Who can sing it better than that?" "You have instilled life into that song." "Look." "Look, Meeta." "The fireworks at the fair." "Have we come to the fair?" "So soon?" "I did even realize it." "What do you mean soon?" "Lts taken a full 30 hours." "30 hours have passed away?" " What?" "Nothing." "I'll get you some tea." " What?" "Tea." "I see." "You mean tea." " Yes." "Who'll drink tea so late in the night?" "I know folks belonging to drama troupes drink tea all the time." "Tea is life." "Give me your mug." "Here you are." "You throw money and watch the play." "It is real fun in the cities." "What's worth seeing in the village?" "Even the ants and crows in my village are incomparable." "When the beautiful girl over there goes out on her bicycle, ringing the cycle bell people watching her start sweating." "And the cinema halls over there." "They have less than 100 seats." "One can sit right in the front bench and if wishes can touch the screen even." "And girls over here are..." "well what to say." "Girls are like rifles..." "the moment they touch the trigger the heroine applies break." "Whom are you calling 'Hirani'?" "Not Hirani..." "Heroine, a film star." "I see, a film star." "What's this talk about heroines and bullets?" "Watch tomorrow." "Hirabai is coming here." "Yes, brother." "What do you want?" "Give me tea?" " How much?" " Give me a mug-full of tea." "2 annas or 3 annas." " 4 annas worth." "4 annas." "Fine." "Give me an earthen bowl, too." " Here you are." "Drink tea." "It's hot." "Be careful." "Here." " No." "I don't drink tea." "Why?" " An unmarried man mustn't drink tea." "Who told you that?" "I know this." "I'd had it once." " Then?" "It generates too much heat." "It doesn't generate heat for me?" "Take this." "Okay." "If you say so, I'll drink the tea." "All right, Meeta." "Is it very late?" "It must be about 10." "It's 10 already?" "Then, I'll stay in your cart tonight and go to the drama troupe tomorrow morning." "As you wish." "I'll arrange for sleep." "You'll stay at the fair for a few days, won't you?" "It's not certain." "If I get a fare, I might go away." "What will you do with so much money?" "Stay for a few days and watch the song and dance." "I..." "I don't watch Navtanki theatre." "I have told you, haven't I?" "Sister-in-law gets annoyed." "Watch quietly." "Sister-in-law won't even know about it." "You take rest." "I'll be right back." "'On the way the traveler has entranced the bird in the cage.'" "'She flew and landed at the sweet-seller's shop... '" "'... and she tasted all the sweets there, the bird in the cage.' '... and she tasted all the sweets there, the bird in the cage.'" "'She flew and landed at the cloth shop... '" "'... and she tried all the clothes there, the bird in the cage.' '... and she tried all the clothes there, the bird in the cage.' '... and she tried all the clothes there, the bird in the cage.'" "'Live long.'" "'She flew and landed at the provision shop... '" "'... and she tried all the goods there, the bird in the cage.' '... and she tried all the goods there, the bird in the cage.'" "'On the way the traveler has entranced the bird in the cage.'" "'On the way the traveler has entranced the bird in the cage.'" "Hail, Siyaram." " How are you?" "What's the news?" "Where's your cart, brother Hiraman?" "There it is." "The new one." "Have you bought it?" " Of course." "Come." "Let's see your new cart." "How much have you bought it for?" "For a full 150." "The same 150 you got from the circus?" "Wasn't I telling you people?" "What is loaded in your cart?" "No load." "It's a passenger." "A passenger." "You have pulled the curtain as if you have come with a newly wedded bride to see the fair." "Hey." "Come here." "Why are you staring so?" "But who is there behind the curtain?" "Why?" "Tell me who it is." "The woman from the dance troupe." "Navtanki company." "Troupe?" " Navtanki?" "Master." " Oh!" "Shut up!" "I won't get any food in the hotel." "Should I get something from the shop here?" "I won't eat food, now." "Come here." "Take this." "You eat this." "That is not possible." "While we are here, how can Hiraman eat in the market?" "Greetings." "In the portion for 4 people, 2 more can easily eat." "Yes." "Yes." "You take rest." "We'll go away." "Come on." "Fix 4 betel leaves." "Here you are, Hiraman." "No." "I'll smoke a Beedi." "Amazing, Hiraman." "That day the circus tiger." "Now, the dancer woman." "You have become a company man." "Oh, master." "Hey!" "Why are you coming into matters concerning elders?" "Come." "Run away from here." "Look, Lalmohar." "You don't give me this rustic talk." " What?" "Yes." "That woman is not like ours that she keeps quiet on hearing anything." "She's western and that too, a company woman." "But Hiraman, I've heard that there are prostitutes in the..." "What kind of a person you are." "Dhuniya?" "Is your mind okay?" "How bad!" "You don't have any sense." "Isn't it Brother Hiraman?" "But I've heard so." "You have heard but haven't seen, have you?" "No." "No." "I haven't seen it." "Why should I lie?" "Then why do you talk." "Don't speak about what you don't know." "But brother Hiraman, will a woman live alone in the cart?" "What if there's some need?" "Yes, brother Hiraman." "Yes, Hiraman." "He's right." "I'll go." " Hey, Lalmohar." "No, Hiraman." "I'll go." " No, mate." "Hey, brother Hiraman." "Permit me." "You have again come in the way." "Come here." "You are a religious man." "You go to the cart." "And listen." "Don't start preaching on reaching there." "What rubbish." "Hail Siyaram." "What happened to the betel leaves?" " Here, take these." "Who?" "I'm Palatdar." "Brother Hiraman has sent me." "Any service for me?" "Service?" "No." "No." "Then, I'll sit here." "Hiraman had said maybe something might be needed." "All right." "Please sit." "Hail Siyaram." "What is the matter?" "What are you doing?" "What do you want?" "Mother." "Yes." "Yes." "Tell me." "Service of your feet." " What?" "I'm your servant." "You are an unmarried woman." "I want to be of service at your feet." "Go." "Run away from her." "Go away." "Crazy fellow." "Oh, brother Hiraman." "Whatever it is, you are great." "Oh!" "What can I say?" "This time I was really afraid." "Whether she is a genie or a fairy." "It's an overnight journey." "Now, you tell me." "One..." "Palatdar?" "What happened?" "Hey!" "Tell me what happened." "Is all well there or not?" "All is well." "I've found a job." "I have to take a load somewhere." "You are leaving the girls alone and..." " The girl is fine." "All right?" "I'll make a move." "Hail Siyaram." "What's happened to him today?" "Oh!" "He keeps count of every paisa." "He's a thief." "A thief." "Calls himself a religious man." "Hey, Hiraman." "The girl is calling you." "And there's a man..." " What man?" "That I don't know but he was whispering away." "Come on." "Let's check it out." " Yes." "But..." " There's nothing to be afraid of." "I have settled things with the manager." "The show will start from tomorrow." "Come, Hiraman." "Take this. 30 rupees for the fare and a gift." "A full 50 rupees." "Oh!" "What are you doing?" "I've already paid him 5 rupees to begin with." "Give him 25 rupees." "Take this, Meeta." "Take this, won't you, Meeta." "Take this, won't you you?" "The madam is giving a gift." "Take it, won't you." "What..." "Meet me at the company tomorrow." "I'll have a pass made for you." "How will a cart-man leave his cart and bullocks and watch the song and dance?" "In the fair..." "Why are you quiet, Hiraman." "Take your money." "Take it, won't you?" "Oh!" "Will we find someone to carry the baggage?" "Yes, of course." "Hey, Lakhan!" " Yes!" "All right, Meeta." "Shall I go?" "Brothers and sisters..." "Dammit!" "There are no sisters here." "Anyway, doesn't matter." "Brothers, tonight the Bharat Dance Company presents what?" "...the body of flowers!" "You will all already know, the red fairy of the court of Lord Indra, the apple of the eye of millions, the famous actress, Hirabai, has joined our company." "'I'm, myself, besotted with your divine virtues... '" "'How do I describe my own love/' 'lt is my earnest desire that you keep looking at me... '" "'... and, my dearest, I keep looking at you.'" "'Lt is my earnest desire that you keep looking at me.'" "Do you see what publicity there is for Hirabai?" "There's a pamphlet also published." "What do you say, Hiraman?" "Come on." "Shall we arrange to watch the dance?" "We won't get another chance like this soon." "What if the news reaches my village?" "Just for watching the dance one night, who'll listen to nagging all my life?" "A rustic hen walks like an importer rooster, eh?" "But if you watch the dance for free, will sister-in-law nag at you?" "Why won't she but how will the news reach the village?" "I'm willing to swear that I won't." "Yes!" "Each one of you will have to swear by the Ganga." "Not a sparrow in the village must come to hear of this." "Okay?" " Yes." "Oh!" "If she says, I have to do it." "What do you say?" "Hey!" "Smell my shoulder." "Why?" "What's happened to your shoulder?" "Go ahead and smell it." "She's just placed a hand here." "Get it?" "You are great!" "You are very fortunate, mate." "Then, we'll go to watch the song and dance." "What say, Lalmohur?" "Oh!" "Of course!" "She'd told us." "The girl told us." "So, let's go and collect the passes." "Shall we go?" " Come on." "Aha!" "Lalmohan, what could be written there?" "Brother, must be her name." "Come on." "Come on." "Won't you." "Shall we ask him?" " Him?" "Yes." " You ask." "You ask." "You can speak properly like them." "Oh, sir." " What!" "?" "Sir, Bul-bul." " What Bul-bul!" "?" "Oh... no." "Gul-gul." "Bahadur!" " Yes, manager." "Who are these?" " Hey!" "Who are you?" "Look, sir..." "Hiradevi..." "My name is Hiraman..." "Run away!" "Get away from here." "Come on." "Come here, Hiraman." "Bahadur, look at him well." "He is my Hiraman." "Let him enter whenever he comes." "Yes, madam." " Come, Meeta." "Come, won't you?" "Come inside." "Sit down." "Is this your home." "Not my home." "It's a tent, Meeta." "Sit." "I don't know how the two days of the journey passed off with you." "You will come to watch the Navtanki, won't you." "Certainly, I will." "Come every night." " Yes..." "But my friends?" "How many are there?" "We?" "We all are five people." "All right." "You sit here." "I'll be back right away." "Doorman." "Please come." "Let's have some betel leaf." "What if the manager calls me?" "What will happen?" "Did you not see?" "We are Hirabai's people." " Yes." "Come along." "Come along." "We'll treat to you to Banarsi betel." "Here you are." "Five passes." "It is of the 8-anna class." "Do come." "Yes." "Of course." "All right, Meeta." "I'll leave now." "I have to go for the rehearsal." "What?" " I have to go for the rehearsal." "What happened, Hiraman?" " Lalmohur, what is 'Risaal'?" "'Risaal'?" "Hey, doorman." "What is this 'Risaal'?" "'Risaal' means practice?" "Practice?" " You don't understand practice?" "Practice means... they learn to sing and dance." "I see." "I see." "Okay, Mr. Doorman." "We'll meet again." "Fine." "Fine." "What do you say, brother Hiraman?" "Oh, I have got the passes." " Really?" "Yes." "Not one." "Five!" " Let's have a look." "Look." "All for the 8-anna class." " Let's have a look, will you?" "She looks after everyone." "What do you say, Dhanu?" "You are great!" "You are great!" "This company girl's matter is wonderful." "Yes." "Yes." "It has to be." "But what can we do with these 5 passes?" "Palatdar hasn't returned." "Oh!" "Let the poor unfortunate go." "There was no show in his destiny." "But, listen." "Does everyone remember the oath?" "Yes, of course." "Not a bird in the village should come to hear of it." "Who the hell will speak?" "If Palta speaks, he'll have it from me." " Yes!" "That's fine." "You are great." "These have been by Hirabai, aren't they?" "Oh!" "She's herself given these." "The drums are beating, brother Hiraman." "Oh!" "The drums have been beating for an hour now." "What do we fear?" "We have passes." "We'll go at leisure." "What?" "But who will stay here?" "Here?" "Lakhan is here." "Oh, master, won't you take me along?" "You are not satisfied even after going around the whole day with the beaters?" "Work-shirker!" "Oh, master." "I fold my hands." "Just one glimpse." "Not just a glimpse, lakhan." "If you want you watch for an hour." "I'll come here in your place." "Is that fine?" "That's enough." "Enough." "Hiraman." "Brother Hiraman." "Oh!" "Palatdar." "Where have you brought this load from?" "I'm a sinner." "Give me whatever punishment you want to but the truth is..." "Look." "Palta." "Don't think of her like a village woman." "She's given a pass for you, too." " What!" "?" "Yes." "Look at this." "Five 8-annas or look at the crowd at the ticket-counter." "Your bones would have been crushed." "But, Palta." "Remember, no one in the village must come to know of it." " Yes." "Hail Siyaram." "Hail Siyaram." "Come on." "Let's go." "Do you see?" "What a crowd there is at the counter." "We have passes." "Passes." "Yes." "These are passes." " Yes." "Where have you stolen them from?" " What?" "Where have you got these passes from?" "You go and ask this of your dance girl." "Not merely 4." "There is one more." "Look at this." "Yes." "But where did you get these from?" "Is that so?" "Hey, doorman." " What happened?" "What happened?" "Oh!" "We met this morning." "You've already forgotten, have you?" "Yes." "Now I remember." "Now I remember." "What's it?" "He's not letting us in." "You have passes, don't you?" "Here they are." "I showed him but even then he won't listen." "Hey!" "They have passes." "Why are you stopping them?" "They are Hairabai's men." "Let them go." "I see." "They are Hirabai's men?" " Yes." " Go on." "Go on." "Hey, where you going, brother?" "Give us some place." "There's no place." "Oh!" "Won't we sit here?" "We don't have tickets, we have passes." "If you have passes, will you sit on our heads?" "Passes, indeed!" "Hey, brother Hiraman." "Look at the curtain." "It's a scene from the Ramayan." "There's Lord Rama and there, in the middle Aha!" "Siya Sukumari (Sita)." "And brother Lakshman at the back." "And there's Hanuman." " And Garuda here." "Hey, Lalmohur." "Are these pictures still or are they moving?" "Oh, the show is inside." "Now they are just making a display to collect the people." "Oh brother." "Sit properly." " Yes." "You are from Sinkhya village, aren't you?" " Yes." "Modikha?" " Yes." "Mr. Shivratan?" " Yes." "Great!" "Looks like everyone knows me." "Hey, brother." " Yes?" "You drive a cart, don't you?" " Yes." "Yes." "Does it stink?" "No matter." "It is country-made." "I'm not into this foreign stuff." "Greetings." "Please come in, station-chief." "Please come in." "The best class is the 8-anna class." "Right behind and the highest." "Those on the benches." "They'll get up shivering in a little while in this cold." "You se that man with the garlands, don't you?" "He is the landlord from Ramnagar, Vikram Singh." "Hey, brother." " Yes." "Looks like there's time before the show starts." "I'll have a nap in the meantime." "Yes." "Yes." "See the show in your dreams." "When the show starts..." "No." "No." "Wake me up when she come son the stage." "Go to sleep." "There's no need to talk much to this man." "He seems to be loafer." "You know what he said just now?" "He seems to be a drunkard." "The whistle has blown." " Yes." "Yes." "Meeta!" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'Dark of face and lips blood-red.'" "'He has a silken shirt... ' '..." "And there are red droplets on the silken shirt.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'I asked for an applicator for kohl... '... the cruel man brought chewing tobacco from Banaras." "'He's immersed in his own world... ' '... and does not care for me.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'Dark of face and lips blood-red.'" "'He has a silken shirt... ' '..." "And there are red droplets on the silken shirt.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'The orchard is deserted, the anklets tinkle... ' 'the lovely season has crept up quietly.'" "'The orchard is deserted, the anklets tinkle... ' 'the lovely season has crept up quietly.'" "'The flowers have bloomed, the world knows... ' '... but the gardener doesn't know.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'Dark of face and lips blood-red.'" "'He has a silken shirt... ' '..." "And there are red droplets on the silken shirt.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'He eats a tobacco cud and dozes from the evening... ' '... and falls asleep even before the lamps are lit.'" "'He eats a tobacco cud and dozes from the evening... ' '... and falls asleep even before the lamps are lit.'" "'I get fearful, when he walks in... ' '... and fear that something precious may be stolen.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "'Dark of face and lips blood-red.'" "'He has a silken shirt... ' '..." "And there are red droplets on the silken shirt.'" "'My lover chews betel leaf... '" "Great!" "Great!" "How well she dances!" "What a voice she has got." "I've heard she doesn't eat betel, smoke Beedi or tobacco." "What a great thing." "She's a very virtuous prostitute." "But her teeth are like pearls." "Must we brushing with toothpowder." "Why are you chattering so?" "Don't you have any manners?" "Are you calling the company dancer a prostitute?" "Yes." "I do." "I'll call her that a hundred times." "Who are you?" " I'll pull out your tongue!" "Go away, you pimp." "Again you called her a prostitute!" "?" "Hey!" "You are fighting?" "Sir." "Hit me if you want." "Certainly hit me." "No problem." "But first look at this." "Look at this." "These are passes, sir." "Not tickets." "Passes." "You scoundrel." "Rogue." "Come on." "Sir, I'm no rogue." "She's given the pass and if someone abuses the company girl, will I let him off scot-free?" " Yes." "Sir, I've understood everything." "The other companies have done this to bring discredit to me." "Come on, brother." "Come on." "You have already done me enough harm." "Hey, Bahadur!" "Seat these people up in the front." "Sit." "Sit." " It's a cushion, isn't it?" "Hey, where's your ticket." "I don't have a ticket." "I have a pass." "So, sir, show me the pass." "I don't have it." "It's with my master." "Where's your master?" "Hey, Lalmohur, he's not letting me in." "Here is his pass." " Okay." "Okay." "Where's the way to go there?" "Go out from here and enter through there." "Hey, master Lalmohur." "Who is that man?" "Master Dunni has told me everything." "You only show me his face." " Hey." "Sit down." "Sit down, you!" "How can anyone say something bad?" "Just think." "Oh!" "Dunni has been hurt, hasn't he?" "I'll be right back." "Hirabai has called me." "Madam, your man has come." " Send him in." "Why were you fighting?" " Yes?" "Why were you fighting?" "They were... abusing you." "What if they were abusing me?" "Or saying anything?" "Why do you have to intervene?" "They were calling you..." " What me?" "They were calling you a whore... dirty talk." "Will you seal people's mouths?" "If someone says anything about you, I'll..." "Let anyone say what comes into his mind." "And again, who are you to fight for me." "What right do you have?" "Hiraman." "Hey, Hiraman." "Look what has happened to Dunni." "Come." "Come." "Hirabai." "Hirabai..." " Dunni..." "Her one trait... kills me." "Brother Hiraman." "H's got a very high fever." "Get some water." "Hirabai." " Here, master." "Water." "Hail, mother Sita." "Hail, mother Sita." "Hey, Dunni." "Lalmohur, take him to the village tomorrow." " Yes." "He's got a very high fever." "Hello, brother, will you take a fare?" "Where do you have to go?" " Purwa village." "Purwa village?" "That will be 30 miles both ways." "No, brother." "Not me." "I'll go." "But Hiraman." "The Navtanki?" "What fare will you pay?" "30 rupees." "What else?" "All right." "It's fine." "But, Listen." "It's not stolen stuff, is it?" "No." "No." " I will not also take bamboo." "Oh!" "It's corn." " All right." "But won't you go to the show tonight?" "What's happened to him?" "Looks like he's also gone to touch her feet." "What?" "What?" " Nothing." "Nothing." "Lalmohur." " What?" "What will happen now?" "Hiraman hasn't come yet and the show is about to start." "Come on." "We'll go." "Hiraman will come when he arrives" "You go on." "I'll get betel leaves." "Go." "Fix me two Jafrani betel leaves." "Hurry up." "Hey!" "Where have you been all day?" "Oh!" "Master Lalmohur." "You?" "The thing is that joker showed me around the fair all day." "He simply didn't let me go." "You and your joker, indeed." "You pig." "You ingrate." " Look master, don't abuse me." "I'll give you one slap and you'll change..." " Hit me if you dare." "What?" "You dare to talk to me." "I'll chuck you out of the job." "Get out now." "Yes." "Yes." "Chuck me out." "I don't care for your job." "The joker has given me an even better job in the company." "Let it be." "The bloody ingrate." "'Mare gaye Gulfam... ' '... even fidelity has failed me... '" "'With the dry axe, with the sword of the eyes... '" "', he's become injured with the dagger of the gaze.'" "'Why has my hair waved in the wind?" "'" "'Mare gaye Gulfam... '" "'ln this celebration of love, he has come close... ' 'the arrow has been shot and there's turmoil in the heart... '" "'the arrow has been shot and there's turmoil in the heart... '" "'I've received punishment for love.'" "'O yes, Mare gaye Gulfam... '" "'... even fidelity has failed me... '" "'Mare gaye Gulfam... '" "Hey, Palatdar." "Did you see how she looked at me?" "At you?" " Yes." "Who?" " Oh!" "Hirabai." "Now she has understood my power is greater than Hiraman." "Hey, brother." "Hirabai is calling you." " Who?" "Oh!" "Who else?" "Did you see the power?" "I'm here." " Who?" "Come in." "Wonderful virtue." "Gulfam." "You were wonderful." "Who are you?" "Didn't you recognize me?" "You'd called me, hadn't you?" "Oh!" "You are Hiraman's friend?" "Yes." "I'm Lalmohur." "Why hasn't Hiraman come today." "He's worthless." "The unfortunate." "He must have gone away to earn some money." "What does that useless fellow know about your artistry?" "But I..." "Tell me." " You may go." "What?" " I say, you may go." "Hey, you rooster." " Yes, sir." "Where did you get to?" "I was watching the show." "Okay." "Get started massaging my head." "Master, tell me something." "Should I apply the oil of Kewda?" "Apply Genda." " Genda!" "Take the starting pose." "Take a faster tempo." "Enough, master." "What happened, child?" "It is going very well." "Not today." " Come, Nagma." "You come over." "You take rest, child." "Watch me, sister." "Won't you watch my preparation?" "No, Najma." "I'm not feeling too good today." "When you dance tomorrow, I'll go away, too." "Lachaman." " Yes, madam." "Come here." " Right away, madam." "Yes, madam." " Listen." "Go once to Hiraman." "Tell him Hirabai has called you." "Very good, madam." "They were calling you a whore." "Will you seal the lips of the whole world?" "If someone says anything about you, I'll..." "Let anyone say anything one wishes." "And again, who are you tp fight for me?" "What right do you have?" "Sister." "Hey, sister." " Yes." "What yes?" "In whose memory are you lost?" "In whose memory will I be lost?" "It seems to be some Majnu in whose memory you are lost." "No, Najma." "We will always act the part of Laila." "We will never be able to become Laila." "Shall I ask you something?" "What has happened to you today?" "Nothing." "Master Hiraman." "The company girl has called you." " Who?" "Hirabai." "She's said that it is very urgent." "You should come right away." "I've got a job I the company, master." "With your blessings, I'm very happy." "The joker makes me laugh so much that, master my stomach aches from laughing." "After washing Hirabai's sari, the water becomes fragrant." "And I dip my shirt in it." "Will you smell it, master?" "Then, you are certainly coming, master?" "Tell her that I will come." "Come in, Hiraman." "Sit." "Sit, won't you?" "I see your anger hasn't died down." "Who am I to be angry?" "What right do I have?" "Don't say this, Hiraman." "You are my Meeta, aren't you?" "Let that all be." "You are annoyed with me?" "The other day, I was very annoyed." "And I said something rash in anger." "And how did I know that your anger is so terrible?" "Here." "All the anger is dissolved in this water." "Is it gone?" "Is it gone or hasn't it yet?" "Won't you sit down?" "Why will you sit down?" "Who am I to you?" "People watch my artistry." "But who knows what's in my heart." "I cannot tear open my breast and show you my heart." "I wished to cook myself and feed you." "But when you won't sit down..." "Why won't I sit down." "And I'll eat, too." "But if someone speaks ill of you..." "Will you come tonight to see the show?" "Today there will be the Laila-Majnu play." "You know Laila-Majnu, don't you?" "I know it." "The great love story of Laila and Majnu." "I'll be Laila today." "And Majnu?" "There's someone." "Do come." "Not to fight." "To watch the show." "And if someone speaks ill of you?" "Come a little early." "I'll make arrangement for you to sit on the stage." "There... there's something." "I hope you will not be angry." "The thing is, there are a lot of thieves and pick-pockets in the fair." "So they are." "So?" "I have only a little money." "If you can keep it." "What if I steal it?" "Here." "I've kept it in the bag." "Take it whenever you wish." "Okay?" "Is there time for food?" "No, it will soon be done." "'The tale of love starts.'" "'There was an emperor and his son.'" "'He was very kind and compassionate towards his people.'" "'His heart was full of love.'" "'There was Sultan... ' '... and his dear daughter Laila, whom he had raised with lot of love.'" "'That was a unique story of love.'" "'They were in their teenage and youth was just entering in their lives.'" "'Used to watch each other... ' '... at an excuse of studying.'" "'Love was from both the sides and wasn't a one-sided affair.'" "'Laila was deeply in love with Kaiz and he was madly in love with Laila.'" "'But this was something surprising... ' '... that Kaiz was lovelorn since his childhood.'" "'I'm telling you an odd story.'" "'Kaif, you don't have any shame.'" "'I feel a lot of love for you.'" "'The difference is that your oath is not there in this.'" "'I'm, myself, besotted with your great virtues... ' '... what can I say about my infatuation?" "'" "'I only desire that you keep looking at me... '" "'How can I describe the facts about the separation... ' '... when I always feel restless.'" "'Even when I try I cannot forget... ' '... your face remains before my eyes at all times.'" "'This is my request to you, my beautiful lady... ' '... don't take you heart away heart by wooing my heart.'" "'Don't ever be unfaithful even by mistake... '" "'Don't ever be unfaithful even by mistake... ' '... if you have loved, you must fulfill it.'" "'Don't ever be unfaithful even by mistake... '" "What do you say?" "Is all well." "Yes." "Yes." "All is well." "Eat this." "Eat this." "Ticket babu, Greetings." " Greetings, brother." "Rehearse that song once again, child." " Yes, master." "Live long Live long." "Come, Hiraman." "Sit down." "How is work going on nowadays?" "Yes." "All right." "All is fine." "Are you coming to see the show tonight?" "How do you like my work?" "It is like Manva-Natva, isn't it?" "You do work much better than Manva-Natva." "I've not seen such work in my whole life." "Is there no work today?" " Oh!" "There'll be work all my life." "That's why you have stopped everything now, is it?" "I'll do it after a few days." "One shouldn't turn his eyes from his work." "You think there's no one to tell you here." "Look, Meeta." "If you come here leaving your work, I'll be very unhappy." "You don't be annoyed, I'll go right away." "Come tonight for the show." " Okay." "'Oh!" "Somewhere a star has broken loose... ' 'my lover has ruined me.'" "'The first star broke and fell on the hay-stack... '" "'The first star broke and fell on the hay-stack... ' '..." "I pinched my thumb between my teeth... ' '..." "I bit my thumb between my teeth... '" "'Oh!" "Somewhere a star has broken loose... ' 'my lover has ruined me.'" "'The second star fell in the market... '" "'The second star fell in the market... '" "'Everyone has seen it in the fair... '" "'Everyone has seen it in the fair... '" "Yes, sir." "What do you say?" "Is the thing done?" "No, sir." "It is not proper to meet so late at night." "Why?" "There's no guarantee for her moods." "If she becomes upset, all will be lost." "You be a little patient." " There's a limit to patient." "Here." "Take these 10 rupees." "I'll give the rest after the work is done." "I'm at your service." "You come tomorrow morning at 10.00." "If I don't arrange an audience tomorrow, my name is not..." "Tomorrow morning at 10.00." "Sure?" " Sure." "Madam, the landlord." "Come, sir." "Come." "Please come." "Greetings, Hirabai." "Please sit down, landlord." "It is my good fortune that you have come." "Don't say that, Hirabai." "It is my good fortune." "Have something." "Why?" "It's a compulsion." "What compulsion?" "Till such time as the delicate fingers of some beauty do not put the leaf into my mouth, I don't eat betel leaf." "Your hand is very soft, Hira." "Is the heart like this, too." "Anyway, you don't wish to speak of your heart, so be it." "But I won't go from here today till I tell you the secret of my heart." "After the fair is over, you stay here a few days more so that I'm able to look at you to my heart's content and talk to you freely." "On the banks of the Kajri river I have a small mansion." "I tell you the truth, Hira." "I'll keep you well." "So, should I take that as decided?" "Let the fair be over first." "After so many days has my burning heart found solace." "All right." "Then, the matter is settled?" "Okay?" "Oh, brother." "Where is Hiraman?" "Hiraman?" "There he is." "Oh, Hiraman, I was looking for you." "I was dead... and burnt to ashes and fallen to ruins." "Have you been dring during the day today?" "Oh brother, what is day and what is night?" "Everything is the same." "Now you can only save me." " Me?" "Yes dear... you." "I spoke to Birju but the landlord has bought the fellow out." "He's not letting me come even close." "Mate, people say Hirabai respects you." "I'll give you 1000 rupees." "If necessary 2000 rupees." "Let me meet her once." "What happened, brother?" "Go away!" "What are you doing here at this time?" "I want to meet Hirabai." "Who is it?" "Hiraman?" "Come in." "Meeta." "What's the matter?" "Sit down." "Sit down, will you?" "Tell me." "What is the matter?" "Nothing." " Sit down." "You leave this work." "This is Navtanki work." "Why?" "What happened?" "Don't you like Navtanki?" "It's not about me." "People talk bad of you." "So what?" "I don't become bad." "Even so." "People speak such things about you." "Don't be naive, Hiraman." "I told you that day, isn't it?" "If I don't in the Navtanki, what will I eat?" "Why?" "You work in a circus." "No one will speak bad about you there." "You dance with the tiger there?" " What!" "?" "Tiger!" "?" "Yes." "Who will dare to come near the tiger." "I'll dance with a tiger!" "?" " Yes." "The tiger will eat me up, Hiraman?" "Don't curse, Hiraman." "This is impossible." "Why don't you understand?" "It is an obsession." "Obsession?" " Yes, Hiraman." "Just as you have the obsession to drive your bullock cart I have the obsession to do Laila and Gulbadan." "To wander in every part of the country, to dress up and dance before the lights." "What do I have in life but this?" "Tell me." "What do I say now?" "Don't say anything." "Let's roam somewhere." "Sister, where are you going?" " Out." "Where?" "To the temple." "What is the matter?" "You were talking of a temple but there's no temple close-by." "I just said that." "Take me anywhere you like, Meeta." "Why are you laughing?" "Oh!" "What has happened?" "Why are you..." "If you hear, you will also laugh." "Of course, I will." "Will you laugh all on your own?" "I remembered something from the day you sat in my cart at the station." "What's so funny about that?" "I'm feeling shy to tell you." "Being shy won't do." "Tell me quickly." "What can I say?" "You don't know how frightened I was." "Why were you frightened?" "Oh!" "I thought some she-demon has got into my cart." "Do I look so bad?" " No." "No." "You misunderstand." "She- demons take different forms, don't they?" "That's what." "I see." "Then, what happened?" "What after that?" "I went to the temple and prayed to God that this she-demon shouldn't hurt me." "Has she caused you harm?" "Then what happened?" "Then, when I started to hit my bullocks, you said 'Oh!" "Don't hit him'" "I never heard a voice like that." "Like a child." "Mild and soft voice like a Phenu Gilasi." "Phenu Gilasi?" " Phenu Gilasi." "Oh!" "Gramaphone!" " That's it." "Then?" "Then what?" "When I saw you I said." "'This is a fairy!" "A fairy!" "'" "Did you see my wings?" "You are joking." "All right, Meeta." "Tell me something." "That day I looked like a fairy." "What do I seem today?" "Today?" "You..." "Come, let's go elsewhere." "Oh!" "Why have you sat there?" "I'll drive the cart." "You have the habit of joking." "Move aside and sit there." "Driving the cart is not a woman's work." "Then what is a woman's work." "Oh!" "What is a woman to do?" "Home and household." "Marriage." "Become a bride." "What else?" "Wife?" "You were talking of going to the temple, weren't you?" "When we've come so far, we'll go to a temple." "There's a temple close-by." "Come, we'll go to a temple." "What will we do to a temple?" "There's a temple here, there and everywhere." "What will we do in a temple, Meeta?" "We'll pray to God." "Ask of him what is in our heart." "Will we get what is there in the heart?" "Will you also ask for something?" " Certainly I will ask." "What will you ask for, Meeta?" "That I will ask only from God." "Come along." " Come." "'Ln a lovely cart, there's a lovely bride... '" "'A sweet little bride... ' 'ln a lovely cart, there's a lovely bride... ' '... of sweet looks and sharp eyes, lovely bride... ' 'ln a lovely cart, there's a lovely bride... '" "' A sweet little bride... '" "' When your lap is filled, don't forget us... '" "', bring all sorts of sweets and give them to us, yourself... '" "' May all you nights be Diwali, young bride.'" "'Ln a lovely cart, there's a lovely bride... '" "'O bridegroom, keep the bride well... ' '... never cause pain to the girl's heart... '" "'O bridegroom, keep the bride well... ' '... never cause pain to the girl's heart... '" "'She's been brought up with lots of love and affection.'" "Meeta." "There's a new play from tonight." "Come early." "Hiraman." "Come sit down." "Here." "You shawl." " Sit down." "My cart." " Sit down." "Madam, the landlord." "Please come, land lord." "How are you?" "What do ask about me?" "I'd brought only 4 days as my lifetime." "Two days passed away in yearning and the remaining two in waiting." "All right, Hiraman." "Now, you go." "Come at night to see the show." " What?" "Go." "Go, mate." "Why do you stick around?" "You live in a hut and dream of palaces." "Go on, pick up your wares." "Get lost!" "They come from God knows where." "What's the matter, Hira?" "Is your health not good?" "No, sir." "It's absolutely fine but it will be a great favour if you leave me alone at this moment." "I see." "You want to make a face and boost up the price." "I'll pay the price you ask for." "Please do me a favour by going away." "But... but you made a promise this morning." "What about that?" "I didn't make any promise, landlord." "But what has happened since morning to change your heart?" "What do you know of heart, landlord?" "You are only crazy for beauty and youth." "Yes." "Yes." "Why not?" "Why not?" "I've heard that, nowadays, only bullock cart drivers can understand what your heart says?" "What landlord." "Like you, he misunderstands me." "In your eyes I'm a whore and in his eyes a Goddess." "But, landlord, the craze that is in his talk isn't to be found either in your mansion or in your foreign liquor." "I see." "So, nowadays, you have the desire to become a Sati Savitri?" "But Sati Savitris are not made, Hirabai." "Why can't they become?" "If there are people in this world who can turn a Sati Savitri into a whore, there are some people who can make a whore into a Sati Savitri." "Let go of this big talk." " Birju!" "I see." "That's the way it is." "But remember, I know all the ways in which to set right the minds of cheap and flighty girls like you." "Sir..." " Get away, you cheat." "What's this yuo've done, Hirabai." "Such a big landlord?" "Oh!" "He owns this place." "Go away!" "Go away all of you!" "Hey, you scoundrel." "What were you listening to." "Nothing, master." " Get lost!" "Manager." " What does she think she is?" "Does she know what will be the consequence of insulting such a big landlord?" "Why are you getting so upset?" "Yu know Hirabai's nature." "There's a little childishness." "She will be fine." "She doesn't need to throw tantrums." "I've seen hundreds of girls like her." "Does she want to ruin my work?" "Do listen..." " Get away!" "Why are you getting upset, manager?" "Just think a bit." "If Hirabai leaves the company today what will happen to tonight's show?" "But what will happen to that landlord." "He will be quieted with just a bottle but only Hirabai can assuage the anger of the crowds at night?" "You know very well that thousands of tickets are sold in her name." "If, at night, Hirabai is not on the stage, the crowd will..." "Manager, think a bit." "Just understand." "Just understand, manager." "What have you brought for me from the fair, uncle?" "I've brought nothing." "Go away." "Don't bother me." "Mother!" "Oh mother!" "Uncle is here." "Is your health fine?" " Yes." "It's good you have come, Hiraman..." "We have to pay the money the day after tomorrow" "How much money would you have?" "About a hundred." "So, give me." "Your brother was very upset." "But it is not with me, sister-in-law." "I've kept it with someone else." "Kept it with someone else?" "What if he squanders it all." "I trusted that's why I kept it." "There were a lot of pick-pockets in the fair this time." "I'll get it on the next trip." " You won't forget, will you?" "I won't forget, sister-in-law." "Let me sleep." "I'm very tired." "All right." "Go to sleep." "You said she would welcome me." "She would consider my attentions her good fortune but she has insulted me." "You amaze me." "How dare Hirabai insult a landlord like you?" "Then, what was the need for that drama?" "That's the very sorrow, sir." "While doing dramas, Hirabai herself has become a drama." "You see, sometimes takes drama for reality and begins talking like a mad woman." "And sometimes she takes reality to be drama and turns out of her tent a landlord like you." "Then, We'll have to show her what is reality and what make-believe is." "No." "Just make her understand that she is Hirabai and you are landlord Vikram Singh." "Has she forgotten this?" "She wants to forget it, sir." "Then I will explain to her." "A hunter's aim will miss only once." "Not each time." "'Your love will grind me to dust... ' '..." "I have seen the ultimate in this love.'" "'Oh, come over... '" "'The night is passing away, the moon is going down... '" "'lndifferent to the world in your memory... ' '..." "like a flame, the whole night... ' '... in desire for you, this heart burnt.'" "'Oh, come over... '" "'The night is passing away, the moon is going down... '" "'Oh, come over... '" "'The night is waiting... '" "'There's darkness in the heart here... '" "'There's darkness in the heart here... ' '... the usual matter of everyday.'" "'Oh, come over... '" "'The night is passing away, the moon is going down... '" "I've put it off." "I thought you did not recognize me in the light, we'll meet in darkness." "You are sitting here and getting inebriated?" "Where is inebriation in the drink left?" "From the time I've seen you there's no kick in the drink" "Now, I've decided I will drink only the liquor that is called Hira." "Go away from here!" "What if I don't go?" " Get out of here!" "Look, Hira." "If you refuse now, I will not be able to wait for your acceptance." "Landlord, what you want will never happen." "Please do me a favour by going away from here." "You haven't left me worth doing any favour to you." "You two penny bit girl." "You are insulting Thakur Vikram Singh for an ordinary bullock-cart driver?" "Remember." "If I don't get you, no one will even find the body of Hiraman." "Birju!" "Najma." "No one will come." "No one will come to save you now." "Let go." "Let me go." "I say." "You rascal." "You rascal." "Let go of me." "You scoundrel!" "What do you think?" "Who do you think I am?" "If you leave Navtanki, what will you do?" "If you turn away your heart from trade and put it into something else, how will you fill your tummy, my child?" "The tummy is not everything in life." "If the stomach is not everything, nether is love." "The love between you and that naive bullock-cart driver is behind a curtain for now, what will happen when the curtain is lifted?" "What will happen?" " His dream will go bust." "No." "No." "That will never happen." "I will never let his dream go bust." "If that's what you want, don't disappoint your public." "It shouldn't happen that there's no one to love Hiradevi the Goddess, and no one to look at Hirabai." "It is also possible that Hiraman can give her a place in his home." "What are you saying, Najmabai?" "When one has a Goddess in his heart how can a Bai settle there?" "If you spoil his dream, he will be ruined." "If you leave Navtanki, you will be ruined." "I cannot understand what I should do." "Don't say anything a turn your face away." "He'll think you unfaithful and forgive you." "And who knows what the landlord's anger brings about." "And what can one say about the landlord's anger?" "I fear for the cart-driver's life." "The poor fellow will lose his life, our business will go and you will get nothing." "Hey!" "Brother, Hiraman." "Stop." "Stop." "Where have you been yesterday?" " Why?" "Oh!" "Yesterday there was a great storm at the company." "Aha!" "She's a real Siya Kumari!" "Oh!" "What's happened?" "That frisky landlord." "What's his name?" "He's a real Ravana." "Oh!" "What are you saying?" "Tell me properly." "That's what I'm telling you." "That Ravana burst into Hirabai's tent." "Then what?" "Siya Sukumari came into her original form." "She told the landlord to get out." "Then came Birju." "She told him to get out." "Then came the manager." "She told him to get out." "Oh!" "But how did you come to know of all this?" "That Lachhman, you know?" "He gives all this news." "Hey!" "Hiraman." "Listen, will you." "I'll go there and hear it all." "What is all this, sister?" "What shouldn't have happened?" "The fault was mine..." "that I forgot myself." "But what should I do?" "I'm reminded of his innocence and simplicity." "He would drop the curtain in such a way when we saw any traveller on the way as if I would be affected by an evil eye." "Whom any man can see if he purchases an eight-anna ticket, he brought her here hidden from the whole world." "When I went to the bank of Mahua, he said..." "'Don't bathe here." "Virgin girls don't bathe here.'" "And that day when a spectator said something bad he was ready to kill and die." "With such an innocent man..." "No, Najma." "It is easy to do a play on the stage for an hour or two but I will not be able to act the part of a Sati Savitri for my whole life." "The one who did the part of Laila, set out to become Laila." "Isn't it an impossible thing?" "Why do you think so, sister?" "Tell him clearly once." "No, Najma." "When I should have told him, I made the mistake of keeping quiet." "Now when I must keep quiet, I do not want to say everything and make another mistake." "But think about this." "If the city group doesn't take you back what will happen then?" "What will happen?" "In a crowd of millions another Hirabai will be lost but in Hiraman's heart, Hiradevi, the Goddess, will remain." "Whatever may happen to me, I won't let his dreams be shattered." "But if you will go without seeing him he won't even know what a great sacrifice you have done for him." "How can I go without meeting him?" "If I meet him, how can I tell him all this?" "What do I have worthy of him." "Madam, master Hiraman hasn't yet returned from the village." "Have you informed Lalmohaur and the others?" "Yes." "What shall I say if master Hiraman asks me?" "Tell him she was a Navtanki dancer." "The part was over and she's gone." "But to meet her once." "The fault is not mine; it is the writer's who wrote the part." "I enacted what he had written for me." "If, now, the play is over, what should I do?" "Oh!" "Where were you, Hiraman?" "I've been looking for you for so long." "She's called you to the station." "She's going away today." "Who's going?" " Oh!" "Hirabai." "Who else?" "Hirabai?" "She's been asking for you since morning." "She was asking for me?" "What train?" "It will leave now." "Maybe... maybe she might have already gone." "Hiraman!" "Hiraman!" "But tomorrow you will get the train at this time." "So what." "I'll stay a day at the inn." "Shall I ask you something, Bai?" "Don't ask me anything, Birju." "You have come, Hiraman." "Good." "We've met." "Take your money." "Take it, won't you, Meeta?" "Take it, won't you?" "I'd given up hope." "I thought I'd not meet you." "I'm going back." "To my own company." "Take this." "A memento from me." "Will be helpful during cold." "You will come to see my show in the Gulabganj fair, won't you?" "Don't be sad, Hiraman." "You'd said that the trader had bought Mahua." "Bai, the luggage is set!" "I've been sold out, Meeta." "Bai, hurry up." "The train will leave." "Come on, Bai." "Come." "Oh!" "Get out of this place." "Someone will catch you." "Get away!" "Don't hit him." "What are you looking at me for?" "Swear that you will not allow a company girl to sit in the cart again."