"The beggar said 'Mother." "give me a paisa'." "Father said 'The cripple has come'." "Mother said 'You should not call the cripple a cripple'." "Go. son." "Go on in." "The mail is about to arrive." "All right. father." "Right away." "I'll just finish this lesson." "Mother said 'You should not call the cripple a cripple'." "'If you call the cripple a cripple." "the cripple feels hurt'." "What do you say. you monkey?" "You have only one lesson to learn every day?" "The cripple should not be called a cripple." "Yes." "The teacher has said it is very important." "It can come in the examinations." "Go." "Tell your sister to make me a stiff tea." " All right." "So." "It seems there's a lot of mail today." "Seems so." "Today. my back is gone." "Dada." "Do you know why this happens?" "Because. nowadays. people are reading a lot." "One can't get a job. so they keep writing applications." "Or they write 'O. Queen of my dreams' or.." "..'O. King of my dreams'." "Dada. a lot of letters arrive but never is there one for you." "I've been working here for a month and a half but.." "..never have I seen one arrive for you." "What's the matter?" "Now." "Who do I have who'll write a letter to me." "What of a month and a half. it's been 20 years since I've.." "..been a post-master but I've never received a letter.." "..from anywhere." " Why?" "Did you never send sister-in-law to her parents?" "Of course." "I had." "But she doesn't write letters." "Yes." "Once she had written a letter but she wrote the.." "..address in such a manner." "the letter got lost." "Oh oh!" "Then. you never got that letter. too?" "Dada." "I've been thinking I should take leave and go away somewhere." "Oh. you accursed fellow!" "You had just gone on leave." "Why leave now?" " I don't want that kind of leave." "I want to go far away from here and write you a letter.." "..from there." "Cha!" "You talk too much." "Come on." "Hurry up." "The mail has to be sorted out." "Father." "Go in for a bit." "Mother is calling you." "You can see. child. how much work there is." "How can I go now?" "Go on. will you?" "I'll do the stamping in the meantime." "Very tough work it is." "Child. what happened to my tea?" "There's no sugar. uncle." "There's no sugar?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "I would have brought it." "No. uncle." "Why should you bring sugar everyday?" "Look. child." "Whatever you do." "don't make jokes about God." "Who am I to bring anything?" "He is the one who brings." "I'm only the one who eats." "He is the one who brings and gathers." "The one above." "The one with the blue umbrella." "Greetings." "Please take this money order." " Give me." "Oh!" "Seema. you!" "?" "What is there to be so surprised about?" "When father retires. this job is mine." "Come." "Come inside." "What are you looking at?" "I'm not looking." "I'm thinking." "What are you thinking?" "I'm thinking.. if we get such a post-master.." "..I'd make a money order everyday." "You are a school master earning only 60 rupees a month." "Where will you get the money for a money order everyday?" "Did you mind it?" "What's to mind?" "You are right." "That is why.." "That is why.. what?" "Nothing." "It's good that at least because you needed to make a.." "..money order. one could see you." "Why?" "The ones who want to see me. do manage see me." "Yes." "I heard they had come to see you?" "Yes." "They had come." " You must have really decked-up." "Why won't I do it?" "Don't I have a liking for dressing up?" "Of course." "I've also heard that the bridegroom is also blind in one eye?" "Haven't you also heard that the bridegrooms father's two.." "..ears are cut off?" "We will send the bridegroom abroad for an operation on.." "..his blind eye at our own expense." "Only then. we'll be married." "That's. of course right." "Can one's heart be sated with seeing so much beauty.." "..with only one eye?" "Yes." "But if you want that he sees you with only one eye.." "..that's another matter." "Enough." "Enough." "You have been hiding away for the last.." "..so many days and now you make big talk." "I tell you the truth." "Seema." "Nowadays." "I really get no free time at all." "I tried very hard to see that the elder of the village.." "But they will not do anything." "That is why I have made a group of children." "I'm trying to chase malaria away from here by cleaning.." "..up the paths and the jungle of the village." "Chase malaria away." "But I'm not into all this." "One hasn't been able to elevate oneself and one is.." "..out to improve the nation." "Are you outside the nation." "Seema?" "Only with the progress of the nation can you progress." "Who is making whose progress." "brothers?" "Goodness." "Goodness." "Rajatbabu?" "Where is father?" "He is inside." "Please sit down." "He will be right here." "No matter." "All right." "I'm leaving." " Listen." "Father's signature on the receipt.." " I'll take it later." "Here. child." "Here." "I've brought the sugar." "I'll get the tea right away." "Oh." "Panditji!" "You!" "?" "So early in the morning!" "?" "Oh!" "What do you ask." "Goodness." "Goodness." "This morning I stumbled just as I left home." "That is why I thought I'd have a bath." "Then. on the way." "I thought I'd come and see if there is a.." "..letter from Shankar." "But." "Panditji. there must be cow dung before your house." "Oh. no." "My nose suffered because of the smell." "I saw with my own eyes there was no cow dung." "You must have misunderstood." "There has to be cow dung there." " You are saying I'm lying?" "If you don't believe it. come and see for yourself." "I meant to say there are a lot of cattle.." "..living your way. aren't they?" "." "What did you say?" "You stupid fellow." "There are cattle living our way?" "I'll show you." "You insect from hell!" "Oh Tarskalankarji. why are you getting so annoyed?" "Look. post master." "Check this new postman of yours." "He speaks anything that comes into his head." "He says that. few humans and more animals live on our way." "No." "No." "Panditji." "Maybe he meant to say that there are.." "..more stables of the cows down your way." "What is in it to be annoyed?" " Look here." "Don't support him." "He's out to teach me?" "He doesn't know who I am." "I'll teach you such a lesson that.." "Untouchable." "That wretch!" "Look." "Saradhan." "You have joined service newly." "Don't antagonixe these big people." "We must respect them." "Do you understand?" " Why?" "Do we eat what they give us?" "The other day." "I entered his house with the mail." "He had his whole house plastered with cow dung." "But the next day. when I went with a money order." "I asked him.." "..'Panditji. will you take this money that I have touched.." "..or shall I take it back?" "'" "He simply grinned." "And said.. and said in Sanskrit.." "That means there is nothing untouchable about money." "Look." "Saradhan." "You talk a bit less." "Understand?" "Here." "Go and distribute this mail." "Why." "Seema. you are returning without a bath." "Look at him. will you?" "He's made it impossible to come to the river bank." "He sits all day pretending to fish and ogles at us." "Rascal!" "Why won't he ogle?" "Earlier he kept a provision store." "Now. he's the president of the Union Board." "She's come." "She's come." "Bhanjubabu." "Who?" "Tarkalankarji?" "She escaped from between the fingers. hasn't she?" "Now. this bait is useless." "Bhanjubabu." "The bait will have to be changed." "What did you say?" "While you sit here catching fish." "they are filling up your.." "..small lake." " Who is filling it up?" "Rajat and his boys." "They are improving the nation." "Come on." "Let's see." "There." "I saw at the post-office another game being played." "Here." "Now. look for yourself." "Hey!" "On whose orders are you filling up this lake?" "Are you calling this small pond a lake?" "Beware!" "I will hand over everyone of you to the police." "Do you know." "Tarkalankarji." "last month I'd put in fish.." "..worth a hundred rupees in this lake." "There is not a single fish here." "But yes." "There are millions of mosquito-eggs and if you.." "..have put those in. that's another matter." "Shut up. rascal!" "Small moths and big talk." "Go!" "Go!" "Run away from here!" "Go on." " What are you doing?" "Why." "Kewal?" "What happened?" "What will happen?" "Does this lake belong to your father?" "Mind your tongue.." " You don't say anything." "Bhanj Saheb. my father has been dead several years now." "Why are you bringing him into this?" "Whatever you wish to say." "say it to me." "What should I tell you?" "Now." "I'll hand you over to the police." "All your stiffness will turn to air. brother." "Bhanj Saheb. the nation is free now." "It may happen that the police hold you for endangering the.." "..health of the people." "Go away." "I'll see whom the police holds." "I'll go right away to the station -head." "Come on." " Absolutely right." "Ghee was never taken out with a straight finger." "Go and do your job." "Go on." "Greetings." "Bhujbalji." " Greetings." "Who?" "Nivaran?" "Oh!" "You have a long life." "I was just remembering you. -tell me." "What is your command?" "The thing is. you had taken 3000 rupee. on the occasion.." "..of your elder daughter's wedding." "hadn't you?" " Yes." "It is almost three years today." "The principal apart. you have paid me no interest." "I was helpless and now." "I have handed over the papers to.." "..the lawyer." "Don't blame me for it." "Yes." "The fault is my own." "You gave me as much time as you could." "But a little more time.." "The matter is. there is a government circular." "In a few months. our salaries are to go up." "Then." "I will repay every paisa." "Brother." "I tell you the matter is out of my hands now." "He'll write to you." "Do what you want to do." "5 annas." " What 5 annas. son?" "When offerings are made to God. come and take.." "..some Prasad." "Post-master!" "Post-master. what have you bought?" " What can one buy." "Shastriji?" "Costs are so high; one feels afraid even to touch anything." "What was Bhujbal saying?" " What would he say?" "I'd take a loan for my older daughter's wedding." "He was dunning me for that." "Oh brother." "This matter was being discussed at.." "..Bhanju babu's place." "How much he explained to him.." "how much he explained.." "..but the fellow never understood." "He said he's not stop short of filing a suit." "Shastriji. now. whatever is written will have to be borne." "But. brother." "Bhanjubabu is very upset about this." "He was saying. we must do whatever we can to help Nivaran." "He belongs to your caste." "doesn't he?" "All right." "What opinion do you have about Bhanjubabu?" "He's good." " No." "No." "He's good." "of course." "But in what way?" "I don't understand." "Shastriji." " You did not understand." "Brother. everyone in this world is good.." "..but someone is good as an uncle. another as.." "..a father-in-law.." " I haven't thought about it yet." "Think." "Nivaran." "Think." "If all his property taken together." "he's worth over a million." "His wife is already dead and there's no child in the house.." "..to look after." "I ask you. what do you think of Bhanjubabu as a son-in-law?" "Shastriji. my girl is grown up now." "I don't wish to interfere in her matters." "And I have taken the loan." "Why should she suffer?" "Think it over. brother." "I was saying this for your benefit.." "Is your health bad again. today?" " When was it ever right?" "Now. may God take me from this earth.." "..and you people will also have peace." "You worry unnecessarily." "Look." "I have brought this medicine from the doctor." "He has said that you will be absolutely fine with.." "..this medicine." "And yes." "I forgot to say one thing." "This morning. in the bazaar." "I met Tarkalankarji." "He said if we get our daughter to Bhanubabu. he would.." "..himself repay the entire loan we have taken from Bhujbal." "Then. what did you say?" " I refused him outright." "Refused him?" "Why?" "Oh!" "You think I should get Seema married to that old man?" "Marriage is as per what is written in destiny." "So what if the bridegroom's age is a bit on the higher side.." "..but there will be no shortage of money." "Our daughter will rule." "She will rule" "I tell you." "Go tomorrow itself and clinch the issue." "'I've found someone's pendant..'" "'..under the cool." "green Margosa tree'" "'Oh!" "I've found a real." "true pendant..'" "'..under the cool." "green Margosa tree'" "'Listen to what the pendant says.'" "'Under the cool. green Margosa tree'" "'.." "I have found someone's pendant.'" "'My eyes are on the swing of love..'" "'..when my eyes have seen a dream they have forsaken me..'" "'Oh. the poor pendant.'" "'Under the cool. green Margosa tree'" "'You have bound yourself with strangers for the lifetime..'" "'..and have gone away with your lover..'" "'..and left me on my own here..'" "'..the pendant is very lonely.'" "'Under the cool. green Margosa tree'" "'Oh!" "I don't know how the ways of love are..' 'what victory is there in losing one's soul and body?" "'" "'Oh. the poor pendant doesn't know.'" "'Under the cool. green Margosa tree'" "'.." "I have found someone's pendant.'" "Oh. goodness!" "I was frightened." "When did you come?" " While you were singing." "So. you were submerged all this while?" " Yes." "I reached the king of the hinterland." " Why?" "In search of the princess." "You desire the princess so much?" "So. did you see her?" " No." "But.." "But I have known where she is." "What address did you get?" "The doorman of the kingdom told me that the princess.." "..doesn't live here nowadays." "She has taken birth in the house of the post-master.." "..of Radha Nagar." " Go away." "And then." "I asked him what happened to the demon." "He said the demon. in order to swallow the princess.." "..has also taken birth in Radha Nagar." "His name is Harihar Bhanj." "And the state of the poor prince." "you see for yourself." "Yes. the poor fellow's magic carpet has become a cycle" "And his soldiers. have become his disciples in the school." "Else." "I would have flown the princess to that far. far away.." "..land that is prettier than dreams." " Then?" "Then." "I would take you to my palace." "There. you would sit waiting for me on a golden platform.." "..under trees laden with diamonds." "And I?" "I would sit on my magic carpet ..and come to you.." "..piercing my way through the clouds." "Then?" "Then. you would come very close to me and I would gaxe.." "..at your lovely. lovely face." "I would fill my arms with the beautiful pearls of your smiles." "But." "Oh what lovely thoughts!" "Anyway. why did you send Wasim to fetch me?" "To tell you that the courage of the demon has.." "..increased very much." "Bhanj wants to tempt father with money and swallow me." "Maybe someone is coming." "Goodness." "Goodness." "If it comes." "I'll bring it along." " Oh!" "Saradhan." " Yes." "Dada." "Just see." "This letter is to me. isn't it?" "The post-master." "Radha Nagar." "You are the post-master of Radha Nagar." "After all. you have received a letter in your name." "Look." "Look whose letter it is." "Oh!" "What is there to see?" "I know what type of letter it is." "What type of letter is it?" "I had some money to repay to Bhujbal." "He had threatened to file a suit." "It must be a notice from his advocate." "You go." "Go to distribute the mail." "It will be delayed." "..are not even looking at it." "Dada. just read and see what is written." "Saradhan!" " What happened. dada!" "I hope it is not bad news." "What has happened to you today?" " Huh!" "?" "It is so late in the night." "Won't you sleep?" "Look." "Today. a strange letter has arrived." "In that letter.." "..okay.." "let it be." "I'll tell you tomorrow." "I'll tell you tomorrow." "Get out!" "Push him out!" " Come on!" "Out!" "Forgive me. sir." "My children will die of hunger." "Forgive me." "Sir. forgive me for once." "Tell me." "Do have some business here?" "Yes." "I had come to ask for your advice." "Accountant. he is the post-master here. isn't he?" "Yes. sir." "There is a letter." " Take the letter from him." "Sir. the letter is in my name." "In your name?" "Then. how does it concern me?" "Sir. the letter is such.." "..that if five people of the village gathered together.." "..I'd read it before everyone." "If it is not too much trouble for you. please come this.." "..evening to the post-office." "The need is yours or of the master?" "Sir.. the need is. of course mine." "Then. why will the master go there?" "The one who has the need will come here." " That is also fine." "I'll do something. master." "I'll call five persons from the village here." "Greetings." "Pull the fan faster." "Vasantoo!" "Previous dues twelve and a half annas." "Keep it here." "All right." "Take this." "Sit there." "Is the doctor in?" "Oh!" "Post-master?" "Greetings." "Please sit down." "Sit down." "The doctor has gone on a visit." "He will be back soon." "Please sit." "Ram Karan!" " Yes." "1 rupee 9 annas." "Here is 1 rupees and here are 4 brinjals from my field." "4 brinjals is 1 anna." "What about the remaining 8 annas?" "I'll give it tomorrow." " Sir." " Quiet!" "Tajubugan!" "2 rupees and 3 annas." "Have you brought the money?" "My girl's condition is very bad. small doctor." "Give me a slip for today." "Hadn't the doctor told you that you shouldn't show this.." "..accursed face if you don't have the money?" "The doctor has arrived." "Go." "Go." "Doctor. my girl will die." "Please give her the medicine." "First pay your dues and take a slip." "This is not a charitable clinic." "Post-master!" "You!" "?" "Tell me how is it you have come?" "Is someone ill?" "Must be it.." " No." "No one is ill." "Then?" " I.." "I have come to you on some urgent business." "Then. why are you standing here?" "Come in." "Please sit inside." "Champa Sundari!" "Come." "Come in. will you?" "How are you?" "Yes." "You owed 1 rupee and 3 annas and.." "..you had deposited with me.. 2 rupees." "Deposited?" "When did I deposit it?" "You had." "You had." "You don't even remember." "Take this slip." "Go and sit quietly there." "Do you get it?" "HasiKhushan!" "Take her away." "God." "Take my daughter away from this world." "Though I'm her father." "I ask for her death." "Now." "I'm not able to watch her misery." "Hey!" "Casteless man!" "You have come right up the steps of the temple." "Couldn't you pay obeisance from below the steps?" "I'm very far away." "Shastriji." "Oh!" "oh!" "Oh!" "You will touch me. will you?" "You can see I have the prayer pan in my hands." "Are you blind?" "Go on down." "Shastriji." "I'd come to take some holy water off the feet of God." "I would have touched it to her lips." "The poor girl is dying with fever." "Do you see this scoundrel's antics. post-master?" "I haven't done service over the deity and he wants holy water." "Go!" "Go outside the courtyard." "Go!" "How are you here today?" "Panditji." "I have called for a Panchayat (village committee of 5).." "..at the landlord's place." "Please do me the favour of coming there." "I was to call a Panchayat myself." "That school-master and your girl.." " No." "No." "Panditji." "Not in that connection." "I have received a letter." "From whom?" "I have called the meeting just to inform all about that." "Please come surely." "All right." "When you say." "I'll come." "I'll definitely come." "Shashi. go and get medicines from the doctor." "Take these 8 annas." "What are you saying." "Shastriji?" "Where are you." "Tandav?" "I have seen with my own eyes at the post-office." "He's called you. too?" " Greetings." "But. brothers. what is this matter?" "When I asked him what kind of letter it is.." "..he didn't say anything." "Yes?" "What did you say?" "One doesn't know what letter he has received." "He was saying. when 5 people of the village are gathered.." "..then he will reveal it." " I know what letter that is." "You know it?" " Yes." " Then why don't you tell us?" "Oh!" "What is there to say. landlord?" "You do know Bhujbal of Daulatpur." " Yes." "Yes." "He had taken a loan of 2000 rupees at the time of his.." "..older daughter's wedding." "The advocate has sent him a notice over it." "Now. he wants to involve us all and work out a settlement." "A settlement about give and take?" "This is a new thing I hear." "Whatever Bhujbal has done is fine." "What do you say." "Tandav?" "But I have heard you had made some.." "..understanding with him." "You had told him that if he has his daughter married to him.." "..you would repay all his debts." "Not me." "He had said it himself." "That his girl is grown up now.." "..and I should take his floundering boat across." "Now. he says. in the eyes of the girl." "I'm an old man." "Oh!" "Take the name of Lord Ram." "You are old?" "These are the days for you to have fun and frolics." "Tell me in which home should I have you wed." "And that girl?" "Goodness." "Goodness." "That boy. you know?" "School-master Rajat?" "That day what I saw at the shore of the lake.." "Oh!" "Rajat?" ".." "It seems Nivaran has not left anyone out." "Tarkalankaji. it seems there was some discussion on religion." "Yes." "Yes.." "What was I saying." "Tandav?" "Fish !" "Yes. fish." "Then. if you want to catch fish." "go to Hemenrai's lake." "There you get all kinds of fish.." "Pardon me." "The doctor was away to see a patient." "I thought I'd bring him along." "That is why I was late in arriving." "This is the letter for which I have troubled you all and.." "..want that you listen to it and advise me what should be done." "We have heard everything about this letter." "Heard about it?" "What do you mean?" "Doctor. this is a matter concerning Nivaran's and.." "..Bhujbal's financial transaction." "Also known as an internal affair." " Oh no!" "I think we should not involve ourselves in this." "Then." "I'm off." "Patients are waiting for me." "No." "No." "This letter is not that." "This letter has been sent by one Sir Jagdish Chandra Rai.." "..whose ancestors belonged to this village." "Jagdish Rai?" "I get it." "Must be from the Rai clan beyond the lake.." "Oh oh!" "Let us listen to it." "Shastriji." "Read it." "Nivaran." "Rajat." " Yes." "I can see somewhat less at night." "You read it. will you?" "Dear gentlemen." "Radha Nagar is my birth-place and my.." "..ancestors were also from here." "30 years earlier. being harassed by the landlord.." "..when my parents left the village." "I was very young." "After coming to the city. my father started a business in.." "..which by the grace of God. he made considerable progress." "In his last years. it was my father's last desire that he.." "But. suddenly. owing to a heart attack. he died and his last.." "..desire couldn't be fulfilled during his lifetime." "What he could not do." "I wish.." "..to do as per the directions of my beloved mother." "For the development of the village." "I'm sending some.." "..money along with this letter." "I don't know any one in the village." "Because you are the.." "..post-master of the village." "I'm enlisting your help." "You may hand over this money to whosoever.." "..in your view. is the most honest and suitable person.." "..in the village." "Whatever be the result." "I'm myself." "responsible for it." "For some particular reasons I couldn't. myself.." "When I have the time." "I'll surely come." "Yours." "Jagdish Chandra Rai." "Along with the letter is a cheque on Lloyds Bank.." "..for 5 millions." "What!" "?" " Yes. 5 Million." "5 Million!" "?" "What happened?" "Hey!" "Pull the fan faster." "Water." "Water." "It is Jagannath?" "The son of our Avinash Rai?" "Didn't you recognixe him." "Tandav?" "That Jagga." "Jaggu!" "Oh!" "He used to roam naked before me in his childhood." "He used to call me uncle. uncle." "But." "Tarkalankarji. he is not Jagannath." "He is Jagdish." "It's the same thing. son." "But we will call him Jaggu. won't we?" "When one has money." "everyone becomes.." "..Jagannath and Jagdish." "(Epithets for God)" "Oh." "Shastriji. will you do all the talking or let someone else.." "..talk. too." "Speak up." "Nivaran." "Sir. what will I say?" "Whatever you people say." "The one who is the symbol of knowledge. prayer. charity.." "..and ideals is present here.." "..and he is the landlord." "Mr. Tandav Tarafdar." "Careful.. careful." "If you all are of this view." "I'll hand over this cheque.." "..to the landlord." " But look.." "First. we have to find out whether this cheque is.." "..genuine or someone has played a prank." "The second thing is that. if the post-master had called.." "..someone and handed over the cheque. it would have.." "..been another matter." "But because he asked us for our view. it will not be.." "..proper to decide this so easily." "In my view. it is necessary to take the opinion of the.." "..general public because this is the age of democracy." "Master. don't display your talents in English." "You know Hindi as well." "Yes." "Then. listen to it in Hindi. too." "In a democracy. it is essential to find the view of the.." "..general public which person is the most virtuous and the.." "..rightful owner of this money." "Yes. brothers." "His view is worth considering." "The boy's view is not wrong." "After all. he had studied English." " Oh!" "I also know English" "Whatever it be." "Tandav." "The matter is of justice." "So then. what have you all decided?" "My patients are.." "In my view. we should decide by votes." "I see." "Last time. you were elected Chairman by votes.." "..you think even this time you will win the hand." "Mr. Bhanj. this time people will look in other directions. too." "Yes." "Yes." "We'll see." "Last time also you stood." "Why did you lose?" "You had cheated." "There were spurious votes." " What?" "Please sit down." "Please down." "Listen." "There is another thing." "According to this letter. only those persons will stand in.." "..this election whom he nominates." "That is his right." "Oh. brother." "That means us. doesn't it?" "If we were not good people." "why would the postmaster.." "..even call us." "What do you say." "Nivaran?" "Sir.." "That you 5 people stand in this election.." "..that is my only desire." "Then. decide the day for the elections." "It will be good to settle this matter only in 2 or 3 days." "No." "No." "What nonsense is this?" "At least one month's time should be given." "What do you say. landlord." " All right." "Then. let us have the election on the 1st of the next month." "That means 25 days from this day." "In the meantime. this cheque will remain with the postmaster." "Besides. it will not be proper for me to be among.." "..you elders." "That is why I wish to withdraw my name from the elections." "Great!" "Great!" "That's a good thought." "I'm also thinking that I might take my.." " You think right." "No." "No." "I haven't thought yet." "If I think. then.." "What I think." "Tarkalankarji.." " Yes." "Money and influence are not all." "Religion is also something." "If you don't represent religion." "who else will?" "Brothers. as you all desire." "Oh!" "Whoever gets the money." "the village must benefit." "Isn't that the purpose?" "And Rajat." " Yes." "I have something to say to you. too." "It is necessary for you to stand on behalf of the youth of.." "..the village." "In this there's no insult to the elders." "All right." "Now. grant me leave." "Greetings." "Seema. my child." "Will you get me half a cup of tea?" "Yes. of course." "The water is boiling." "I'll get it right away." " Good." "You seem very happy." " How did you come to know?" "That you should suddenly." "want to drink tea." "When you are very happy." "you drink tea." "Yes." "The last time I had tea was.." ".when the elder daughter's wedding was fixed." "No." "You had drunk tea once more after that." "When you had received an increment of 5 rupees." "Oh yes!" "That letter about which I was telling you.." "..last night." "I have received along with that letter a.." "..cheque for 5 million rupees." "You .. are not amaxed?" "What is there to be amaxed about?" "Had it been 5000." "I might have been." "I'm sure someone has played a prank." "Oh!" "It's not a joke." "It's a genuine cheque." "And with the cheque is a letter in which is written.." "..this amount may be given to the best man in the village." "That's all." "I called 5 people from the village and gave.." "..them the cheque." "Then. you gave the 5000 rupees and came away?" "You did not kep anything for yourself?" " Not 50000. 5 million." "What 5 million. father?" "Are you talking about a necklace for mother?" "No. child." "We are talking about money." "What are you saying?" "How could I keep anything for myself?" "Look at this." "Everyday I receive money for insurance.." "..and money orders." "Do I keep money from that for myself or can I?" "Sometimes. you make naive talk." "Yes." "Yes." "I am naive." "Why did you start telling me?" "Did I ask you?" "I'm a chronic patient." "Not about me but you could have.." "..thought about your daughter." "You are handing her over to that old man for money." "Aha!" "Listen to me." " I don't wish to listen to anything." "Oh God." "Why don't you lift me from here?" "When I die you drink cups full of tea." "Aha!" "Anyone who has such an elegant palace. would have.." "..no difficulty in giving 5 million rupees. master." "Don't talk nonsense." "Sir. he is the knowledgeable." "charitable and learned.." "..Rai Bahadur Tandav Prasad from village Radha Nagar." "He has come to meet you." "I'm not the master." "I'm the master's secretary." "Tell me." "What service can I be of to you?" "We wish to meet Sir J.C. Rai." " He's not here." "He's gone out." "When will he be coming back?" "He can come today." "He can tomorrow or he can come.." "..after a month and again." "he can come after a year." "Listen." " Yes." "We want to know that he has sent a cheque for 5 million.." "..to Radha Nagar." "Is that true?" "It's possible." "He can do everything." " Greetings." "When there was no letter." "there was none for years." "When it came. it was with such a tumult." "This is what is called; 'A hundred days belong to the.." "..goldsmith and one day to the ironmonger'." "Oh!" "What are you talking to yourself about?" "I'm saying. dada. what a destiny you possess." "Believe me. my eyes have turned around." "I'm seeing double." "In the morning Seema was bringing me a cup of tea.." "..I could see two." "I swear." "Dada." "I can see two of you. too. right now." "Oh!" "I'm unable to handle myself and you are seeing.." "..two of me. eh?" "I speak the truth." "Dada." "What to say of two. even ten men like.." "..you cannot finish such a big amount in your whole life." "Postmaster." "Oh. postmaster." "Please sit down." "Panditji." "I'll wash my hands and be there right away." "Come." "Annapurna. (Goddess who provides food)" "How will I get such a lovely preparation of brinjals made.." "..with your hands now?" "Why. uncle." "Are you going away from here?" "Oh!" "I'm not going." "You are the one who's going." "You have received 5 million rupees." "You won't remain in the village. will you?" "That's just like you. uncle." "That money is not ours." "Dada. tomorrow is Sunday." "If you give me leave today." "I'll go and meet my mother." "All right." "Go on." "But after you've eaten. distribute today's mail." "Yes. of course." "I'll do that." "Sir." "Sir. the master is here." "The master is here." "Mother." " Oh!" "What disguise is this?" "This?" "This is the disguise of Saradhan." "Saradhan?" "Who is Saradhan?" " Come on upstairs." "I'll tell you." "Where were you for the last month and a half?" "No letter. no news." "I was half dead." "What is this madness you have begun?" "Where had you gone for the last month and a half?" "I'd gone for your work. mother." " My work?" "Don't you remember?" "The cheque for 5 million that I'd sent to Radha Nagar as.." "..per father's will. you'd told me at the time. to be sure it.." "..doesn't fall into the wrong hands." "That is why I went there and once there. took a job as a.." "..mailman in the post office." "And I've taken leave and have come to see my mother." "But I feel very afraid seeing you in this dress." "Feel afraid?" "Why. mother?" "Your father had to leave that village in a dress.." "..somewhat like that." "That is why. seeing you going near a life like that.." "..every sinew in my body trembles." "Mother. you are very innocent." "I've not become a real mailman." "This is just a disguise." "Watch what happens ahead." "Till when should I watch this play?" "You spent your time in such meaningless things." "You neither married nor settled down." "Will I not get peace even in the last days of my life?" "Remove this disguise." "Finish off this play." "Damodar!" " Yes. madam." "Get the bath ready for master." " Yes. madam." "Oh!" "This rice has become cold." "Why are you standing around and watching?" "Don't you know my son cannot eat rice like this?" "I can eat it. mother!" "Cold rice. hot rice. thick rice." "thin rice." "I can eat it all." "Nowadays." "I have acquired the habit of eating all kinds of food." "Today the food has been prepared to my liking." "Not merely today. this has been done every day." "You disappeared without saying anything but I'd.." "..instructed them that. every day." "food according to your.." "..liking should be kept ready." "Who knows when you will come back?" "I know your nature very well." "Sir. we have received 3 telegrams from our colliery.." "..manager at Dhanbad." "He wants to know when you will be going there." "I'm not here." " Sir?" "I say. tell him I'm not here." "I'll be going away tomorrow." "Oof oh!" "They don't even allow the poor boy to eat in peace." "Shashi!" "Hey." "Shashi!" "Is Shashi in the house?" "Doctor!" "You." "At my house!" "?" "Oh!" "What there to be surprised about?" "I heard your daughter is unwell." "I'd come to the locality to see a patient." "I thought I'd see your daughter." "Come on." "Come on." "Oh!" "Oh!" "What have you done to her?" "Will you kill her?" "What can I do. doctor?" "Whatever utensils I had were all sold away." "Only when one has money a cure is possible." "That's all." "I just cry tears of blood." "Come on outside." "Look." "Shashi." "Your daughter's state is very bad." "But don't you worry." "She will be absolutely fine." "Take these tablets." "These are imported." "Give her one every 2 hours." "And I'll come again tomorrow." "If necessary." "I'll give her an injection. too." "But. doctor." "Money." "Oh!" "You don't worry." "You will not have to give any money." "Oh!" "Money is not everything in this world." "Duty is also something." "I'm doing my duty." "You remember yours." "What have you understood?" "I'll never forget your kindness." "doctor." "You are truly God." "There's no doubt about that." "Doctor. has come to this world of mortals by mistake." "There's a great furor for him up in heaven." "Oh!" "How are you here?" " I saw your bicycle. doctor." "There was a letter for you." "So." "I came along." "Hey!" "Look." "What's your name?" "Come here." "Your eyes seem quite yellow." "Yellow?" "It's possible. doctor." "Nowadays. in this village you see all kinds of different.." "..colours. don't you?" "So. they can be black. yellow." "red. green and anything." "That is not good." "Is your digestion fine?" "I cannot digest everything." "Especially sympathy." "If I have too much of it." "I get sour belches. doctor." "The total dues of taxes are 1 0500." "The crops are to be cut soon." "If a little effort is made. 6 or 7 thousands can be got in a flash." "And your brother-in-law is coming." "For him you have.." "Letter!" "Accountant." " Sir." "Nowadays. it is not easy to collect taxes." "And I don't want to fight with the farmers." "Sir. a letter for you." "Accountant. may I have a little water?" "Oh!" "This is Ajanta's letter." "She is coming." "When is she coming. sir?" "She's written she will give a wire before she comes." "Accountant. my throat is absolutely dry." "Please send for a little water." "Oh!" "Hey!" "Gopal!" " Yes." "Give some water here.." "In a brass glass." " Yes." "Aha!" "Accountant. what I saw today." "my eyes were gratified." "He's no man." "He's a God." "Everyone is hailing him." "Everyone is of the opinion that." "if there is a good man in the.." "..village. it is only he." "Who is he?" ".." "Who is he?" "Sir. the one I was talking about." "He's going to every home." "He stops people in the streets.." "..and is doing charity." "But why don't you tell me." "Who is he?" "Why?" "The whole village knows." "Our doctor." "Doctor?" "What special thing has he done?" "Cure." "Free cure." "Whether there is an illness or not.." "..he carries on with the cure." "He says I'll keep doing charity." "No one can stop me." "Great!" "In these dark ages. where can you find such men?" "Scoundrel." " Sir?" "You may go." "Accountant!" "Hearing of 1 0000 rupees. you started drooling." "So?" " No 'so' about it." "Have the drummers announce around the village that.." "..I have freed everyone from paying the taxes." "And make arrangements for me to go to my room." "The bloody thieves." "I'll take care of each one." "What are you saying?" "Oh!" "It's not me alone." "The whole village is saying it." "Absolutely the charitable Karan. himself." "He let go of all taxes without any condition." " What did you say?" "He let go of all taxes without any condition!" "Just think." "Will you get a landlord like this anywhere?" "The bloody pig." "He will be born again as a mouse." "Contractor. scrap all the previous plans." "All roads in the village will be made of cement." "In place of 6. 20 tube-wells will be dug." "There will be one on each bend and.. and.." "All right." "I'll explain the rest of it in the evening." "Useless alligator." "O lord. you heard what Saradhan has said?" "Nothing is hidden from you." "Lord." "Lord. this doctor is a great scoundrel." "And Bhanj is a fraud of the first order." "And the one left is the landlord." "Lord. he is very dreadful man." "He's very dreadful." "How will I battle with all these?" "You are the only caretaker of this servant." "Lord. do something so that I get all the votes in the village." "If I get this amount." "Lord." "I'll have your temple.." "..made in gold." "In gold." "Lord." "Hail." "O friend of the poor." "Hail." "O merciful one." "Hail." "Lord." "Oh." "Chhedam!" "Give me a quarter kilo of jaggery." "Please. come." "Vaid-ji." "Ganesh!" "Oh Ganesh!" "Get some good jaggery from inside." "Tell me." "Mukunda." "What do you want?" "2 annas worth of flour and 4 annas worth of Ghalda." "What's Ghalda?" "Why don't you say Dalda?" "He's saying it right. the poor man." "By saying Ghalda. at least he can feel a little smell of ghee." "What will you carry it in?" " Take this." "4 annas worth of Dalda and such a big bowl." "So." "Mukund." "You are spending a lot." "What will you do with so much ghee?" "The matter is. my wife wishes to eat Parathas." "She's pregnant. you see?" "And I'm very happy." "Oh!" "Your wife is pregnant every year." "What's there to be so happy about?" " No." "No." "That's not the thing." "The matter is I had a lot of taxes to pay to the landlord." "And now." "I've heard. he has excused everyone from.." "..paying the taxes." " Really!" "?" " Yes." "Oh!" "Brother Mukund. nowadays the doctor has.." "..also started giving free treatment." "That's the limit!" "After all. what's the matter?" " Don't you know?" "In that village a Nepali sage has come." "I think." "Chhedam. there is surely some secret behind this." "The secret behind this is." "Vaidji. that suddenly.." "..everyone is out to do good for the village." "Earlier only Rajat and his school children used to worry.." "..about the village." "So. you people don't know what the matter is?" " What is the matter?" "The matter is that some crazy person has sent 5 million.." "..rupees to this village." "That is to be given to the best man in this village." "But who is the best man in the village?" "Who will decide that?" "Oh!" "Everyone is a good man." "Mukund." "You don't get into all this." "If you want to live in peace in this world. you are a good man. too." "I'm also a good man." "He is also a good man." "All are good men." "'What a breexe blows..'" "'The weather has changed..'" "'The uproar in every lane is..'" "'..the cat is off to Haj after having eaten a hundred rats.'" "'Earlier people were dying of hunger and lack of empathy..'" "'Earlier people were dying..'" "'.. now. one hopes they don't die of too much eating..'" "'Oh!" "Sweet talk feels bitter and abuse good.'" "'Oh. baba!" "..'" "Take Prasad." "Come up." "Oh!" "Why do you hesitate?" "Come on up." "This temple is yours. brothers." "Take Prasad." "There is no big or small in the house of God." "All are equal." "'Today. in this world everything is upside-down.." "..everything is upside-down.'" "'Oh!" "If I say it is day." "people say it is night..'" "'..people say it is night.'" "'Even in sand do flowers bloom.'" "'What a breexe blows.'" "'..baba. the weather has changed..'" "'The uproar in every lane is..'" "'..the cat is off to Haj after having eaten a hundred rats.'" "Why are you changing the sign?" "Has it become old?" "Oh Keshto. explain to him the meaning of the new sign." "You stupid fellow." "You see?" "It's written here;" "Charitable Hospital." "Henceforth. no money will be taken from the poor." "The doctor will give free treatment." "'Dates grow on mango trees..'" "'..and mangoes grow on the Margosa tree.'" "'Dacoits have become sages..'" "'..and thieves utter the God's name..'" "'Give a cure for senses." "Miyan Fazal Ali.'" "'What a breexe blows.'" "'The weather has changed..'" "'The uproar in every lane is..'" "'..the cat is off to Haj after having eaten a hundred rats.'" "Who?" "It's Rajatbabu. aren't you?" " Yes." "What's the matter?" "You are cleaning the lamp yourself." "What happened to the old man." "Chandra Singh?" "I've sent him to the market for a while." "Why have you rung the bell?" "Is a train coming?" "Yes. 1 3 down is arriving at 6.45." "You are going to here to listen to this bell.." "..or I ring this bell and listen to it myself." "Please come." "Sit down." "Tell me what service can I be of?" "Please check if a parcel of books has arrived?" "It's not come so far." "Maybe. by tomorrow or the day after. it will arrive." "Will you have tea?" "Look." "Don't say yes.." "..or I'll have to go for the tea myself." "I asked you only as a formality." "Porter!" "Porter!" "You will not get a porter here. madam." "Oh!" "If I cannot get a coolie here." "will I bring down the.." "..luggage myself?" "No." "No. why will you?" "Please move." "I'll do it." "Poor fellow." "How silly." "There's no one to receive me." "Take these 4 annas." "You are giving this to me?" " Yes." "I do government work." "I don't take money for non-government work." "Oh!" "Take 2 annas more." "6 annas." "Take these." "Oh!" "Let it be." "Buy some honey of these 6 annas and eat it." "Maybe there'll be some sweetness in your talk." "Idiot!" "Here." "Give me my flag." "Your ticket?" "Oh!" "Listen." "Where are you going?" "Have this luggage place in the vehicle." " Vehicle?" "What vehicle?" "Oh!" "Any vehicle." "Taxi." "Rickshaw.." "..or horse-cart." "Whatever." "Oh!" "Here you will not get even a bullock-cart." "What!" "?" "I won't?" " Yes." "I have to go to the house of the landlord of Radha Nagar." "How will I go?" "Radha Nagar?" " Yes." "Oh!" "Rajatbabu." "You are going to Radha Nagar." "Pease inform at the landlord's house that his.. his.." "Sister-in-law. - .." "Sister-in-law has come." "Send a vehicle." "Okay. madam." "I must also reach home before dark or.." "..your sister-in-law.." "I mean. my wife is very scared of ghosts." "Ghosts!" "?" "Oh!" "Oh!" "Listen!" "Are you going. too?" " Yes." "Just look." "It is getting dark." "And. in this lonely place.." "..I'm a girl all by myself." "But what can I do?" "I'll also come with you." "I cannot stay here." "Impossible people!" "I sent a wire." "Even then no one came to receive me." "Had you sent a letter. it would have reached first." "A wire reaches here after a letter." " What do you mean?" "I mean the telegraph office is 12 miles away from here." "But.. how will you go with me from here?" "Will you walk 7 miles?" "I'll have to walk." "What else?" "But your luggage?" "You tell the station-master to keep it carefully. won't you?" "All right." "I'll see." "You sit here in the meanwhile." "I'll check." "Oh!" "I cannot walk any more." "We are almost there." "Just 3 miles more." "3 miles!" "?" "Impossible." "With these shoes on." "I cannot even a step more." "Thereis." "I've just sat down." "You tell them." "Oh!" "What was this cold thing that passed over my foot?" "Nothing." "Must have been a snake or something." "A snake!" "?" " Look at this." "What a problem." "Listen." "What's there to be afraid of?" "Oh!" "She's passed out!" "What a nuisance." "Look." "What a nuisance." "Where am I?" " On the road." "Now. do me a favour and get up." "But I'll not be able to walk." "Then. lie down her all night." "What sound was that?" " That was a Jackal." "I'll feeling very frightened here." " Then. come along." "I said. haven't I. I'll be unable to walk." "Come." "You sit on the bicycle." "Here." "We have entered the limits of the village." "Get down of the bicycle." "If someone sees us. there will be a problem." "Oh!" "Masterji." "Have you brought the parcel?" "Oh!" "Parcel.." "No." "No." "She's the sister-in-law of the landlord." "I mean the news couldn't reach him and she was.." "..waiting at the station.." "I see." "Greetings." "Just what I was afraid of.." " What happened?" " Nothing." "You see that light there?" "That is the landlord's villa." "Now. you go there yourself." " Why?" "Won't you come?" "No." "Thank you very much." "All right. then." "Thank you very much. too." "I saw them before the landlord's house." "They were both startled to see me." "There!" "He's here himself." "I'm leaving." "Seema. let me have a glass of water quickly." "Oof!" "Do you know what trouble I landed myself in?" "It's not apparent from your face." "You seem very happy." "What do you mean?" "I mean you could have told me the truth." "There's a parcel." "This." "That." "What was the need for you to make excuses?" "You've already heard of everything?" "How could I know.." "Enough." "Enough." "Let it be." "Drink water and go." "O goodness!" "The sandals are still with me." "Why are you standing against the wall?" "The wall?" "Of course." "The wall." "I mean. there's a cold breexe. you know." "What is in your hand?" "In my hands?" ".." "Nothing." "It's empty." " In the other." "The other?" "This is also empty." "Seema. my child." "Has Rajat come?" " Yes." "I.." "It's nothing.." "High-heeled sandals." "I can see that." "Have you got them as a keepsake?" "Why don't you understand." "Seema?" "What trouble is this?" "Rajat. come here. son." " Aunt." "I'll be right there." "You have to go far." "Have your drink of water." "No." "No." "I'm in a hurry." "Oh no." "No." "Don't get up." "You need the rest." "Is it a joke?" "My darling flower-like sister has walked 8 miles." "She always lived in the city." "Studied in schools of the madames." "How can she.." " All are useless fools!" "The idiots couldn't go to the station?" "I'll sack each one of them!" " Only if they had known." "That is right." "I suppose." "Brother-in-law. at the station I met a stupid rustic." "He understood neither good behavior nor etiquette." "Sister." "I'm already fed up of your village." "No." "Ajanta." "It's an accursed village." "Is there anything here?" "Not even a small telegraph office." "Oh!" "There will be." "There will be." "There will be everything." "What to say of a telegraph office.." "..I'll even have television installed." "Let that amount come into my hands first." " What amount?" "Don't you know?" "Your brother-in-law is to receive 5 million rupees." "Have you won a lottery?" "Oh!" "Consider it a lottery." "We are only concerned with eating mangoes." "Then. you will surely have to send me to America." "Oh!" "Sit down." "Sit down." "About my going to America.." "Yes." "Yes." "Let me get the money first." "I'm not afraid of anyone else." "But that school-master.." "Who?" "Come in." "Oh!" "Rajat!" "?" "Come." "Sit down." "We just mentioned you." "You will live long." "This is my sister-in-law." "Ajanta." "She's just walked 8 miles from the station and. on the way.." "..she met a stupid rustic.." "Stop." "He simply bothered her no end." "Ajanta. this is Rajat.." "I mean professor Rajat Sen." "He teaches in the school for the benefit of the village." "Had I not been in this village." "the entire money would.." "..have been his." "Here are your shoes." " Shoes?" "What shoes." "Brother-in-law. he was the one.. on the way.." " Is that so?" " Yes. sir." "It's a matter of great pleasure." "Yes." "It's a matter of great pleasure." "It is indeed." "Greetings." "Hey." "Rajat!" "Rajat." "Wait. brother." "I have something important to talk to you about." "Sit down." "Tell me." "Sit down." "at least." "Sit." "Sit." "I've decided that I will give you 1 0000 rupees." " What?" "I mean for the Village Improvement Body." "If you ask me the truth. you are the ones who do the work.." "..the rest is all show." "Scoundrels." "Selfish.." "That small library. you know?" "Turn that into a very big library." "Excuse me." "Make a bird house for the ladies.. and do this.." "..and do that.." "I mean do everything." "I'm with you." "If you wish take 1 0000 rupees right now." "But.." "I'm thinking that I.." " I know what you are thinking." "You are thinking why I'm giving you such a.." "..large amount." "I know why you are giving me that sum." "Why won't you understand?" "You are quite clever." "You understand Kanpur when you merely here the syllable K." "But." "Rajat. the matter is not what you think it is." "I mean the matter is what you think it is." "Look." "Rajat." "Why do you get into these squabbles?" "This is all a matter of money." "A lot of intrigue will be involved." "You are a young man." "Only do work." "Constructive work." "You have to establish a new generation." "Do you remember what Gandhiji said?" "He's said that.." "You know what he had said." "I'm in a bit of a hurry." "Later." "some other time.." "Not later." "Rajat." "The generations will not wait for you and me." "You leave everything to me." "I will make you my right hand." "Whatever you need for village improvement." "I'll give that to you." "You don't do anything." "Only withdraw your name from the election." "This is a matter concerning the prestige of Tandav." "But I'm not doing this for myself.." "I'll ask the post-master and tell you." "You don't worry about the post-master." "I'll deal with him." "You only say 'yes'." "Brother-in-law. you are letting him go without giving him tea?" "He has taken so much trouble for me." "Oh!" "Who's letting him go?" "And where is he going?" "You get sweets and sweeten his mouth." " Okay." "No." "Excuse me." "I'm in a hurry now." "I'll come some other day." "Good-bye." "Were you talking about him?" "Oh yes!" "He's quite clever." "He won't be won over so easily." "I'll deal with him." "Oh Gafoor!" "Miyan Gafoor!" "Greeting. sir." " Greeting." " What am I seeing?" "Where has the sun come from today." "that I see your feet.." "Keep quiet. you!" "What nonsense you speak." "Accountant. these are my subjects." "What do they know that even while sitting at home." "I worry.." "..so much about them?" "Look." "Gafoor." "This time all these fields must be tilled.." "..so that there is a bumper crop." " How can I do it. sir?" "Whatever I goods had in the house." "I've sold them all and.." "..collected a little seed with which I can seed only one field." "Amaxing!" "Why don't you tell me of you troubles?" "Accountant. they must get the seed by this evening." "As you say. sir." " Come on." "So. uncle Viran." "How is your boy?" " He's fine." "Ramesh's mother." "Oh." "Ramesh's mother." "Take this." "There's a money 1 0-rupee money order for you." "Place your thumb-impression here." "Here are your 1 0 rupees." "May you live long. son." "May God give you good health." "Why are you giving me blessings?" "Bless your son who has worked hard to earn the.." "..money and has sent it to you." "Oh yes." "Yes." "I know all the who have been become so.." "..charitable today." "All this is just show." "As soon as they get the 5 million rupees. they will go.." "..back to their original selves." "But. brothers. among them there is also a man who.." "..really has the benefit of the village at heart." " Who is that?" "Oh!" "That is the village school-master. brother Rajat." "Yes." "Yes." "Absolutely right." "Our people also say the same." "What is this. contractor?" "You have been here from the day before yesterday." "Now. we have to start 1 0 tube wells more." "One in every area." "Do you understand?" "Hurry up." "Hurry up." "Bhanjubabu!" "Bhanjubabu. however many tube wells you start.." "..nothing will happen." "I say." "absolutely nothing will happen." "Just now I've heard with my own ears. all the villagers.." "..consider that school-master their savior." "I will kill him." "That mouse." "Who was that?" "That was the landlord's sister-in-law." "That is why there's the city glamour." "My eyes widened." "Hey!" "What are you looking at?" "Carry on working." "Hey!" "Hey!" "Listen" " Yes. madam." "Can you tell me where Rajatbabu's house is?" "Rajat's?" " Yes." " Oh!" "That's torn it." " What did you say?" "Our Rajatbabu's place?" " Yes." "You see that red.. red house?" " Yes" "Not that." "The green one next to it." " Yes." "Not even that." "Behind that is a two-storey house." "Is that the one?" " No." "Not even that." "Behind that there is a one-storied house." "Next to it you turn to the right and then turn left.." "Oof!" "What an idiot I've met." " Yes. madam." "Who was that. uncle." "Oh!" ".." "That was.." "Rajatbabu's .. uh.. parcel." "Children. if you all work hard with me. in a few days our.." "..school can also become an ideal school like this." "But. sir. nowadays you don't allow us to do such work." "Yes.." "Yes.. there are some reasons because of which.." "..we have had to stop such work." "But we will resume this work soon." "Look. sir. that rider is coming right here." "Oh God!" "She is really coming here!" "Come on." "Yes." "Yes." "Wasim." "You stay right here." "If she asks for me." "Tell her you don't know." "Understand?" "Rajat!" "Is professor Rajat Sen here." " No." "Do you know where he has gone?" " No." "Is he coming here?" " No." "You must know if he is to come here." "Now if you say 'no'." "I'll hit you." "Speak up." "Why don't you speak?" "" "No." "I would if I knew." "Okay Mr. No-No." "Give me a piece of paper and a pencil." "Sister!" "Oh. sister." "Had brother Rajat come here today?" "No." "Tell me. will you?" "Where is he?" "I'm tired of looking for him." "What's the matter?" " It's an important letter." "Letter?" "What letter?" "The new madam who has come to the landlord's house.." "..has given it to me." " Let me see." "Today is my birthday." "We'll have tea together this evening." "You must come." "Ajanta." "Tell me. sister." "Where is brother Rajat." "I don't know." "Go and find him." "Oh!" "You?" "When did you come?" "Why aren't you saying anything?" "Why are you sitting with such a glum face?" "But you seem very happy." "Where had you gone?" "Just around." "Why are you sitting in the dark?" "Come." "I'll light a candle." "I'm going." "Your letter is lying here." "Oh!" "yes." "I forget to tell you about the letter." "Do you know?" "The landlord's sister-in-law." "Ms. Ajanta.." "..herself came and invited me to tea." " I know." "The letter only carries an invitation to tea but when I.." "..saw the preparations there." "I was stunned." "All the food was made by Ms. Ajanta with her own hands." "Chops. cutlets. omelet." "cake. pastry." "You won't understand." "These are all English foods." "Then. why are you telling me?" "Oof oh!" "Why are you getting angry?" "Ms. Ajanta is not only an expert in making English food.." "..but also speaks English with great fluency." "She's studied in a school of madams. you know?" "And the song that she sang sitting at the piano.. oh great!" "I didn't feel like getting up from there to come home." "Then why did you come." "Go." "Go back there." "You know.. we are poor." "And on top of that." "I'm illiterate." "A rustic." "I know neither English." "nor English food.." "..nor English song." "How can I seem good to one like you who's read English." "Here you are." "She's started crying." "Listen to me." "Don't touch me." "Let me go." "Oh oh!" "Listen to what I say before you go." "Masterji!" " Oh!" "Seema." "Whoever it is." "Tell him I'm not here." "Where is Masterji?" "The landlord was remembering him." "His sister-in-law had called Masterji for tea but he never came." "The tea has been getting cold there for the last two hours." "I have come to fetch him." "Masterji is not here." " Not here." "Come. let's see." "But we just heard his voice." "Oh!" ".." "Maybe.. you were mistaken." "He's not here." "He's not here?" "Then." "we are not there too." "The landlord will kill us all today." "Come on. brother." "No one is safe today." "Oh!" "Saved!" "Oh!" "What happened to the light?" "Don't you understand?" "That is my first sweetheart." "Just as you don't like any girl to come close to me.." "..maybe she also doesn't bear your coming close to me." "Seema. will you sing me a song?" "Why should I care." "You could have gone to the house of her. who had come.." "..personally to invite you." "Tea and breakfast was certain." "You could have heard an English song. too." "Then. who would have made you cry?" "What did you get by making me cry unnecessarily?" "I didn't get anything but I got an idea about your mind." "Go away." "Oh!" "It's started raining." "How will you go now?" "It's hardly any distance." "I'll go." "'Oh my lover..'" "'Oh my lover. the rains have come..'" "'..it has brought a shower of ecstasy.'" "'..and brought love to the eyes.'" "'The bird of my heart sings out to you..'" "'.." "My heart burns in a sweet flame.'" "'In such rain. thirsty are my eyes..'" "'.. and are lost in dreams about you..'" "'The dark and lovely clouds..'" "'..whenever they spread out..'" "'..the night came into my eyes and I didn't get sleep.'" "'Oh my lover. the rains have come..'" "'..it has brought a shower of ecstasy'" "'..and brought love to the eyes.'" "'Oh my lover..'" "If he's something." "I'm no less." "Mr. Tarafdar." "I have sent out two spies after that scoundrel." "They have seen with their own yes and have told me the.." "..post-master's shameless girl." "Seema. was sitting and.." "..giggling away in that school-master's house." "Because of that one Ill-behaved girl. there is a.." "..chance of behaviour in this whole village being spoilt." "You do something about this. landlord." "All right." "You go now and meet the Head-master of the.." "..school and tell him to call a meeting of the school.." "I'll see to him." "If I don't blacken Rajat's face and take him round the.." "..village seated on an ass. my name is not Tandav Tarafdar." "You folks may go." "How bad!" "What happened. then?" "What could happen after that?" "Just what always happens." "Who knows from when this is going on?" "Yesterday." "Shastriji and Bhanjubabu saw with.." "..their own eyes." "What do you expect when such a grown-up girl is sitting.." "..around the house?" "It is the parent's fault." "In this age I already had two children." "Why are you talking in riddles." "aunt?" "Who is the boy?" "There." "The whole Ramayan epic is over and you ask me.." "..who was Ravana." " Even so." "Seema. now you have heard everything yourself." "Yes." " but listen.." "Because you two meet." "Rajat's name is being sullied." "Everyone is after him." "If.." " tell me." "Why did you stop?" "I say. if you two don't meet each other till the elections.." "..it will be better." "I'm saying this for Rajat's good." "I know you respect Seema a lot." "That is fine." "But I think you must stop coming to our house." "People talk all kinds of nonsense." "To what extent can one shut their mouths?" "I have to say that you must not bother about such.." "..small criticism." "If one has to live among caste and society. son.." "..you will have to care." "Seema's marriage is being fixed." "if now. she is defamed.." "..just think how much damage will be caused." "All right." "I understand." "I'm leaving." "Oh!" "Your medicines." "Seema.." "Seema!" "Won't you talk to me." "Look." "Rajat." "Don't come here for a while." "Oh!" "You want that. too." "Seema!" "Have you come?" " yes. mother." "Will I have to hang myself for you?" "People come home and tell me such things that I wish I.." "..could drown and kill myself." "Last night you had gone to Rajat's house." "What work did you have?" "Stop meeting him." "Rajat was here and I've told him. too." "Why?" "Has anyone answered the question?" "Couldn't do it?" "Okay." "Look at this carefully." "I'll show you." "Masterji. the head-master wants you right away." "Right away?" " Yes." "All right." "Come on." "Greetings." "Have you called me?" "Yes." "Sit down." "The school committee meeting has been called all of a sudden." "A very bad charge has been made against you." "What charge has been made?" "What charge." "As if he doesn't know anything." "Brothers." "I on behalf of all the good folks." "I wish to say that.." "..if the conduct of the person in whose hands we have.." "..given the character of our children start following him.." "I mean. it is a very serious matter." "I mean the development of the nation.. the nation.." "Wait.. wait.." "A glass of water." " He's a wolf in sheep's clothing." "Listen." "Rajat." "These people have raised questions about your conduct." "We want to hear what you want to say about this." "No. sir." "Have nothing to say." "It is better you say nothing." "Tandavbabu. you tell him what is our opinion." "I'll tell him." "Listen." "Rajat." "During the past 3 years whatever we have known and.." "..learnt about you. we have arrived at the decision that.." "..we tell you openly." "Like you.." "I mean like you.." "..there is not a single honest and sensible man in.." "..this whole village." "Sit down." "We are all here." "That is why I'll tell you emphatically that.." "..in defaming you. some people derive some personal gain." "The head-master would agree with my opinion that there is.." "..no more loved master in this school." "That is a 1 00 percent right." "So. as the President of the school committee.." "..it is my view. that there is no question of removing Rajat.." "..from the school." " Definitely!" "We all are of that view." "What kind of a scoundrel is this Tandav?" "He put us up a tree and pulled the ladder away. the rascal." "The real thing is that he wants to have control over Rajat." "There is only way now." "Bhanjubabu." "If we get together on this issue." "then watch how I set.." "..each one right." "No." "Tarkalankarji." "In this matter." "no one will gain by.." "In this matter. if each one makes his effort. then there.." "..is fun in it." "Oh!" "Rajat." " Yes." "Come home sometime today." "I have some work with you." "But brother-in-law." "I won't let him go away without having.." "..tea today." " did you hear?" "If you want to say the same thing again. then you.." "..must excuse me." "Come on. driver." " Good-bye." "No. brother-in-law." "This will not do." "An idea has occurred to me." " What idea?" "The idea is." "This time celebrate the.." "..Basant Panchami fair with great fanfare and.." "..invite the whole village to come there." "If I don't make you the most popular. my name is not Ajanta." "What do say?" "It is all right. isn't it?" "Come. brothers. come." "Eat food for free." "All are invited on behalf of the landlord." "Hail landlord!" "All are invited on behalf of the landlord." "Eat food for free." "Give some water. brother." "What do you say. mailman." "How is the food?" "What can I say?" "The food is so good people are licking their.." "..fingers and praising you." "Brothers. listen." "Today. on the ground at the east. there will.." "..be a bullock-cart race and the winners will be given prixes." "Hail landlord!" "Hail landlord!" "Come. brothers." "Come inside and sit down." "A grand dance of Radha and Krishna will be presented to.." "..you right now by Ms. Ajanta Kumari." "Come." "Come in." "Such a grand dance." "All without ticket. without payment." "Something that you people must not have seen till today.." "..nor will see it again." "Come." "Come inside." "'Oh. this flute..'" "'Why does this flute sing?" "..'" "'..why does it trouble me?" "..'" "'..what tune does it play?" "..'" "'.." "I don't know why it wants to take me far away..'" "'..and she calls me.'" "'Oh!" "Why does the flute sing?" "'" "'..why does it trouble me?" "..'" "'..what tune does it play?" "..'" "'.." "I don't know why it wants to take me far away..'" "'..and she calls me.'" "'Oh!" "Why does this flute sing?" "'" "'Oh. this flute..'" "'..it has seen me alone at the riverside..'" "'..and has come to teach me the riddle of love..'" "'..it has seen me alone at the riverside..'" "'..and has come to teach me the riddle of love..'" "'..my heart is confused..'" "'..she tempts me..'" "'.." "I'm in a grinder. oh!" ".'" "'Oh!" "Why does the flute sing?" "'" "'..why does it trouble me?" "..'" "'..what tune does it play?" "..'" "'.." "I don't know why it wants to take me far away..'" "'..and she calls me.'" "'Oh!" "Why does this flute sing?" "'" "'Oh. this flute..'" "'Neither my heart is within my control nor are these eyes of mine..'" "'..when my childhood is gone." "everything is gone..'" "'Neither my heart is within my control nor are these eyes of mine..'" "'..when my childhood is gone." "everything is gone..' 'it seems lovable to my heart..'" "'..it comes stealing through..'" "'..and finds a place in my heart.'" "'Oh!" "Why does the flute sing?" "'" "'..why does it trouble me?" "..'" "'..what tune does it play?" "..'" "'.." "I don't know why it wants to take me far away..'" "'..and she calls me.'" "'Oh!" "Why does this flute sing?" "'" "Brothers. listen." "Tarkalankarji has seen a dream that tonight at the.." "..banks of the lake Parampokhar the.." "..Goddess Laxmi will make an appearance." "You all come there." "Take Darshan of Goddess Laxmi.." "..and take your life to the ultimate salvation." "Hail Goddess Laxmi!" "Hail Goddess Laxmi!" "What happened?" "What happened?" "Look. brother-in-law. all the people in your place.." "..are backward." "Idiots!" "What do they know what art is?" "Such a nice dance of mine was wasted." "Oh!" "Oh!" "You don't cry." "I'll see what the matter is." "Then Mother Laxmi said. 'I will be coming coming.." "..to the eastern bank of Parampokhar.." "..and will give Darshan under the mango tree.'" "I said; 'Mother. your temple is in ruins." "Where will I seat you?" "'" "Then." "Mother said.." "'Son. why do you worry about this?" "I will myself establish myself.'" "Mother spoke again.." "'Son." "I have been here in this Parampokhar for 700 years.." "..but. son. after my appearance." "whoever.." "..is given the water of this Parampokhar will be blessed.'" "Hail Mother Laxmi!" "'Your splendour is the most unique of all." "Mother Laxmi.'" "'Your splendour is the most unique of all." "Mother Laxmi.'" "'We cast ourselves upon you." "Mother Laxmi..'" "'We cast ourselves upon you." "Mother Laxmi..'" "'Your splendour is the most unique of all." "Mother Laxmi.'" "'While sleeping or while being awake..'" "'While sleeping or while being awake..'" "'..your name..'" "'While sleeping or while being awake..'" "'..your name..'" "'..the whole world utters..'" "'While sleeping or while being awake..'" "'..your name..'" "'..the whole world utters..'" "'You take across..'" "'You take across..'" "'..this paper boat of ours" "Maha Laxmi.." "Hail!" "Maha Laxmi.." "Hail!" "'Your splendour is the most unique of all." "Mother Laxmi.'" "'Your splendour is the most unique of all." "Mother Laxmi.'" "Master." "Master." " Oh!" "Shut up!" "The rascal.." "The mouse." "He settled everybody's hash." "Giving free medicines was rendered useless." "Why won't it be?" "Tarkalankarji is proclaiming that the one who drinks the.." "..water of Parampokhar will not only be free of all.." "..ailments. but will also attain salvation." "Oh!" "This water.." "'My sister-in-law asks for a bangle..'" "What are you looking at." "Bhanjubabu." "I'm looking at this lake whose putrid water no one.." "..even touched at one time." "today people are taking.." "..away in pots." "This is the blessing of Mother Laxmi." "Yes." "Yes." "Haradhan." "Who can win against Goddesses and Gods?" "This appearance of Mother Laxmi has brought ruin to.." "..all our efforts." "This matter of the appearance of Mother Laxmi is somewhat.." "..a deep one." "Deep?" "How deep?" "Just 2 or 3 hands maybe." "Hey." "Haradhan." "Listen." "What do you mean 2 or 3 hands?" "I mean. the place from which Mother Laxmi had.." "..appeared. you know?" "Look at that place with open eyes." "Hail Mother Laxmi." "Dig here." "Dig properly." "Who is it?" "Who is it so late at night?" "Open the door." "Tarkalankarji." "It is me." "Bhanjubabu." "Bhanjubabu?" "At this time?" "I have brought you a present." " Present?" "Bring it here." "Keep it here." "This year you have had much brinjal in your fields. have you?" "Not brinjal." "Tarkalankarji." "I have brought such a gift for you that you will remember.." "..for ever." " What?" "Look at this." " Gram?" "Yes." "Grams." "Boiled gram." "Kabuli Gram." "From the place where the idol of Mother Laxmi made its.." "..appearance. now gram is coming out." "Keep a little of this Prasad of Mother Laxmi and the rest.." "..will be distributed in the whole village tomorrow." "This idol of Mother Laxmi.." "these gram.." "Bhanjubabu." "I don't understand it.." "You'll understand right away." "Dig a hole and fill it with gram." "Put some water in it." "Then. place mother Laxmi's idol on it and fill it up with earth." "When the gram swells with water." "Mother Laxmi will have.." "..to come out of the earth and give Darshan to everyone." "Do you know. now?" "I feel that I should have the drummers announce it and.." "..have you thrown out of the village." "But." "Bhanjubabu. what benefit will that give you?" "From the fame I've earned with the blessings of.." "..Mother Laxmi. you can also be helped by it." "You come here with me." "I have to talk about some important things to you." "Goodness." "Goodness." "Please sit." "Please sit." "The matter is." "Bhanjubabu." "If you reveal this secret." "my boat will be sunk.." "..and what benefit will you derive from it?" "And. in this battle of ours." "the enemy will win the hand." "Yes.." "..and if you withdraw from the elections in my favour.." "..then. with the blessing of Mother Laxmi. my victory is certain." "Why should I withdraw?" " Aha!" "You haven't understood." "Bhanjubabu." "This matter is for outsiders." "On the inside. you and I will be one.." "..and whatever we get. half will be yours and half mine." "Your idea is very good." "You will mix this laxative in the water of Parampokhar." "When the people drink the water." "there will be turmoil.." "..in their stomachs and they will be forced to come to me." "Where will the votes go?" "This water is nectar." "Sonu's mother was saying that when.." "..she gave her child this water." "his fever vanished." "All this is the favour of Mother Laxmi." "Doctor." "I'm dying due to this stomach-ache." "Save me. doctor." "Why?" "Why have you come to me now?" "Go and drink the putrid water of that lake." "We will not go there again. doctor." "Save us this time." "Do you know. normally. one does not survive this ailment?" "But I have a cure for this and I will also not charge for it." "Bt what is the benefit to me in saving you?" "We will do what you say. doctor." "Save us this time. doctor." "All of them will vote for you." "Won't it?" " Yes." "Yes." "Certainly." "If you ask. we'll even give our lives. master." "Then. remember this." "What do you understand?" "Keshto. send him in." "I have no time right now." "Tell me quickly what the matter is." "Open your mouth." " What?" "I say. open your mouth." "Keshto. you open your mouth. too." "Why me?" "I did nothing.." " Quiet!" "Open your mouth." "Hail Mahalaxmi!" "Do you know what you drank?" " What was it?" "It was the water of Parampokhar." "Tarkalankarji. you don't understand." "Goodness." "Goodness." "Carry on. son." "Carry on with the massage." "May this big paunch be somewhat reduced." "Did you say anything to me?" "No." "Bhanjubabu." "I'll speak now." "I have brought Bhujbal with me." " Greetings." "How so suddenly?" "No." "I was saying.." "Hey. son." "Go and get a smoke for us." "Go." "Go." "I was saying we already have the kingdom.." "..so why don't we also arrange." "at the same time.." "..for a queen. too?" "I did not understand." "Tarkalankarji." "Oh. brother. because of you." "Bhujbal hesitates to bring a.." "..warrant against Nivaran." "Yes." "I've heard the post-master is related to you." "So." "I said that without asking.." " What if there's a relation?" "The law is blind." "Call the bailiff and have each and every article in the house.." "..auctioned immediately." "As you say." "So. may I leave now?" "Yes." "You go now." "You must never delay good tasks." "All right." "Greetings." " Greetings." "Now. we have to see how much power that lad has." "How long will he protect that girl?" "Goodness." "Goodness." "Today. suddenly. her body was hot." "You are responsible for this." " I?" "Yes." "Nowadays. you have made the whole village hot." "Why won't the poor lady's body be hot?" "Great!" "Great!" "What a good thing you have done about this 5 million." "You have enmeshed the chiefs of the village in the election.." "..and put yourself in a quiet corner." "What is this you are saying?" "What is my status that I stand before those big men.." "..in an election?" "Oh. brother." "God knows who is a big man and who is small." "All right." "I'll send the medicine." "The fever will go down right away." "Dada. this application." "For leave?" "You will not get leave now." "Just for a day." "I have to go to meet my mother." "Let the poor fellow go." "He's going to meet his mother. isn't he?" "All right." "Go!" "Don't take more than a day." "Do you understand?" "Go!" "They have come." " Have they come?" "Yes." "You come outside." "Come." "Greetings.." "Greetings." "Why did you take so long?" "Go there quickly." "Listen." "Bhujbal." " Yes." "Don't leave anything there besides the.." "..government papers." "We will also reach there at the right time." "Go." "Yes." "Very good." " Hey!" "Come on." "What noise was that?" "I'm sure.." "I'm sure the bailiff is here." "Bailiff?" "What bailiff?" "I know.." "I know everything." "Gopu's mother was saying.." "that accursed Bhujbal has.." "..obtained a decree for auction." "You. father and daughter." "always hide things from me." "What are you saying. mother?" "Child.." "Child. listen to me." "Tell your father.. to pay off this money from the.." "..5 million rupees and free us from this trouble.." "..or he will take every utensil and everything in the house" "That amount is not ours." "Then." "how can we put it to our use?" "But" " You don't worry. mother." "Your fever has gone very high." "Take rest.." "Seema. my child." "Shut the door." "Father. where are you going?" "To distribute letters." " At this time?" "What can I do. child?" "You know Haradhan has gone on leave since the day before." "There must be some important letters of people." "I thought I'd go and distribute them." "But. father. mother's fever has risen very high." "All right." "I'll tell the doctor on the way." "And come as soon as you can." " All right." "Beat it louder." "Beat it louder.." "Beat louder." "Come inside." "The government officials are here." " Why?" "To auction your goods." "Why else?" "But my wife's health is not good." "If I can get a day or two.." "The government officials won't leave empty-handed." "Come on inside." "Come on." "Father. go in." "I'll be right back." "Believe me." "Rajat." "I don't desire riches." "affluence and such." "Just let me remain at your feet." "Seema!" "Seema!" "Take everything." "Don't leave a single thing there." "Take out the bed and bedding. too." "Where are you taking my parrot?" "This is mine." "Let it go." "I'll never let you take this." "Let it go." "Take everything but the government papers." "Take this. too." "Father." "Father. look at this Look at this." "He's taking my parrot away." "Stop him. father." "Sister." "Sister. they are taking my parrot away." "Stop them. won't you?" "No. pappu." "Let them take it away." "No." "I'll not give my parrot to anybody." "Look. pappu." "You should not fight with government officials." "Now. our goods will be auctioned." "Now. nothing of ours remains." "I'll get you a new parrot." "You go and play outside." "Go." "Hey!" "Get that platform outside!" "And bring all the vessels from the kitchen outside." "Nothing must remain inside." "Please speak softly." "My mother is very ill." "Please do me that favour." "Seema!" "Don't get up. mother." "Keep lying down." "I'll fan you." "Who's taking our vessels away?" "That's nothing. mother." "You keep lying down." "You are certainly hiding something from me." "I'm sure the auctioneers have come." "I'll see how they take our things away." "Father!" "Radha. mother has fainted." "Look after her." "I'll be back right away." "Father!" " hey!" "Check properly in the kitchen." "Father!" "Mother has fainted from fright." "Father. have you turned to stone?" "Go and tell Bhunjbabu if he can save us from this trouble.." "..I'm willing to marry him." "I touch you feet. father." "Don't delay even for a moment." "What's there inside!" "Don't bother about my happiness." "If mother loses her life because of me. there cannot.." "..be a greater sorrow than that for me." "Nivaran." "Oh!" "Where are you. brother?" "Oh!" "What is this?" "What are you doing?" "Hey." "Bhujbal." "How dare you do this while I'm in this village?" "You know everything." "What can I do?" "What's my fault.." "Look." "Will you loot someone's house for a small amount?" "Enough." "Stop all this." "And yes." "Come." "Come here." "Come here." "Stop all this." "Put it down." "What are you dues from him?" "Only 2600 rupees including interest." "Is that all?" " Yes." "Just for so much you are hurting the prestige of.." "..a decent man?" "Don't you feel ashamed?" "I will pay your dues right now." " No." "No." "That is impossible." "You take your money back with you." "I'll not take your money." "I'll not take it." "I'll take that money." "Give it to me." " Seema!" "I'll roam on the streets.." "I'll beg.." "..but." "Seema." "I cannot sell you." "My child." "I cannot sell you." "Father!" ".." "Don't cry. child." "Be patient." "God will set everything right." "Go." "Go inside.." "Go." "Goodness." "Goodness." "How did such a vile thought enter your head." "Nivaran?" "While we are around. why will you sell off your daughter?" "You think as if you are borrowing this money." "If this amount Bhanjubabu unconditionally.." "Of course." "Nivaran." "You must think calmly in times of difficulty." "First. rid yourself of this problem. then you can see." "Bhanjubabu. you give the money to Bhujbal." "Here you are." "Bhujbal and get out of this place along with.." "..your people this very moment." "This is what is called a kind soul." "Goodness." "Goodness." "Seema!" ".." "Seema. take this." "I've brought the money." "Give it to them." "You have done us a favour." "But now. this is not needed." "There are others besides you in this world who will.." "..give us money." "What are you saying." "Seema?" "Do me the kindness of going away from here." "Take this money of yours." "Now." "this is not required." "What can be done now?" "You have withdrawn from the election." "You had signed for the money." "Now. the publicity is also begun." "You needn't worry." "Now." "I don't need anything." "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'..you burn erratically like this. my dear..'" "'.." "Oh. my dear.'" "'The lamps of my heart..'" "'The lamps of my heart..'" "'..you burn erratically like this. my dear..'" "'.." "Oh. my dear.'" "'I turn to ash in the name of love..'" "'I turn to ash in the name of love..'" "'..at least there will be light on the path of love.'" "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'..you burn erratically like this. my dear..'" "'.." "Oh. my dear.'" "'With the flowers of flames in the bosom..'" "'With the flowers of flames in the bosom..'" "'..from when it burns." "let the skies see..'" "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'O lamp of my heart..'" "'..you burn erratically like this. my dear..'" "'.." "Oh. my dear.'" "Listen. brothers." "You must all know that the school master.." "..has withdrawn from the elections.." "..in favour of Mr. Tandav Tarafdar." "That is why he desires that all his votes be cast in his favour." "For the elections. brother Rajat was a nice man." "He has also withdrawn." "Oh. brother." "This is the power of money." "Of money." "Oh You silly fool. this is not about money but about.." "..the power of woman." "Yes." "Do you understand?" "Tell me." "Why did you do this?" "I did what I thought was right." "There's no need for you to be upset about this." "Didn't you feel ashamed to say this?" "You forgot the benefit of the village for an ordinary thing." "Please." "Seema." "Go away from here." "I'm leaving this village." "Now. you folks think about the good and bad of the village." "You think this is a matter of courage. don't you." "Only I know how I have gone through these days." "To see you for a moment." "to talk to you.." "..my heart yearned." "Even then." "I stayed away from you so that people shouldn't.." "..defame you." "That it shouldn't affect your election.." "..but. today. you.." "Seema." "Shah!" ".." "Mr. Shah." "Yes. sir." "What's the date today?" " 1st May." "1st May?" "I'd completely forgotten." "I've to go to Radha Nagar now." "Have the car taken out immediately." "Yes. sir." "And listen." "You come with me." "too." "Hurry up." " Yes. sir." "Father. give mother the medicine." "It's time for it." "Child. there's a lot of noise outside." "Shut the window." "The whole village is agog about the voting right from.." "..early morning." "Father. won't you go to cast your vote." "If your mother's health improves." "I'll go by evening." "Master." "I've heard that Harihar Bhanjubabu has called for.." "..200 men armed with sticks." "So what?" "Our men are also ready. aren't they?" "Yes." "Only your orders are awaited." "You take them to the place of the polling and remain in.." "..hiding in wait of my signal." "Do you understand?" "And you have a procession taken out." "I'll see each one of them." "Hail Mother Goddess!" "Hail Mother Goddess!" "Ladies. our victory is the victory of the Mother Goddess." "In other words. it is a victory for religion." "Speak up." "Hail mother Goddess!" "Who will you vote for?" " Landlord." "Who is the right candidate?" " Landlord." "Speak up." "Who will you vote for?" " Landlord." "Who is the right candidate?" " Landlord." "Come on." "Who will you vote for?" "Who will you vote for?" "Hey!" "Hey!" "Munia's mother." "You have gone to that side?" "Remember. from tomorrow there's be no medicines.." "..for your daughter." "Beware." "Keshto!" "I'll throttle you!" "Shastriji. let me on the doctor's side." "Look." "Munia's mother." "The curse of God will finish you." "You will be annihilated." "Come." "Come." "Who will you vote for?" "Who will you vote for?" "Shastriji!" "What do you say." "Mukunda?" "You all are going to vote." "Yes." "Vaidji." "But I cannot understand for whom.." "..we should vote." "Oh. brother." "Shut your eyes and drop the slip." "Whether it goes in the fire or in the ravine. it is the same thing." "Go." "What a thing to say." " What a thing to say." "Great!" "Come here." "Come here. brothers." "If you want peace in the village." "cast your vote.." "Panditji." "I've brought good news." "All votes are being dropped into your box." "O Mother Laxmi. this is all your blessing." "Just take me past this day." "mother." "Just this day.." "Shah. you wait here." "Come when I ask you to." "What is this noise?" "Jagdish." "you don't go." "What if there's some problem in the elections?" "Whether there is trouble or not." "I'll have to go. mother." "What I've started." "I'll have to finish it." "Then." "I'll come with you." "No. mother." "Your entry will be in the last scene of the play." "But. at least. change this disguise." "Now." "Haradhan's.." "..role is not over yet." "Hurry up." "Hey." "Bhanjubabu. are you bringing women from outside for voting?" "Oh no." "Haradhan." "How can I do anything illegal like that?" "These are the daughters and daughters-in-law of this.." "..village who had gone out and I'm bringing them back." "I see." "I understand." " Come on." "Hurry up." "Come on here. brothers." "Come on." "Brothers. the news is that Akalankarji is now leading.." "..by 200 votes." "His victory is certain." "That is why you vote in the box with the sign of the temple.." "..and exercise your right." "Come on." "Come on." "If you want peace in the village.." "Why are you all running helter-skelter like this." "Some outside men have come and started fights." "You are also running scared?" "Come with me." "Master." "Master. all the villagers are getting angry.." "Come on out." "Peace!" "Peace!" "Sir J.C. Roy has arrived here." "Hey. brother." "Why are you fighting?" " Out of the way." "Brothers." "I'm not a mailman." "Believe me." "I'm Sir." "J.C. Roy." "Jagdish!" "Where is Jagdish?" "Who has come in this car?" "Must be some big man." "No. brothers." "I'm not Sir J.C. Roy." "He is here." "Amongst you." "But where is Jagdish." "Jagdish!" " I'm here. mother." "Jagdish!" "What is this?" "What I was afraid of from the very beginning has happened." "You wanted to do good for these people." "Is this the reward you have got?" "Maybe I deserved it. mother." "Brothers. what is this you have done?" "He is Sir J.C. Roy." "Haradhan. the mailman!" "Sir J.C. Roy!" "Yes. brothers." "I'm Sir J.C. Roy." "You all sit down quietly." "I have to talk to you about something." "Sit down." "For my living here as Haradhan." "there were.." "..two reasons." "One was that I live here amongst the people of my.." "..village." "I mean you people." "and meet you people and.." "..know you better." "The second reason was that the 5 million rupees that my.." "..mother has sent for the benefit people of this village... ..must reach the hands of a good and honest man." "At the time." "I did not know that the result of that was so.." "..horrific that respectable people will almost come to.." "..kill each other." "I regret this very much and I beg your pardon for this." "Hail Sir J. C. Roy!" "I understand you have forgiven me." "This is my venerated mother." "Whoever you select from this village. my mother will hand.." "..over to that person the sum of 5 million rupees to him." "None of these is a good man." "They are all rogues." "On the contrary. they must be punished." " Yes." "Yes." "Peace!" "Peace. brothers." "They will receive their due punishment one day." "Today. because of the money good and bad is tested." "For the future. it is good that you people have known what.." "..kind of person each is." "There is no shortage of selfish persons in this world." "We have to be careful of them." "Now. then you all chose a good man from this village." "Why are you all silent?" "Is there no good man amongst you?" "Why not?" "I'm a good man." "This Shashi is a good man." "This uncle Karim is also a good man." "But we are not talking about ourselves." "There is a better man than us and you all know him." "And that is.. our post-master." " Yes." "Yes!" "Mr. Kaviraj is right." "This amount of 5 million was sent in the.." "..post-master's name." "If he wished. he would have kept the money with himself.." "..and no one would have known about it." "But he didn't do that and bore every difficulty that poverty.." "..raised before him." "Brothers." "I have not seen God.." "..but after having seen the post-master.." "..I do not regret it at all." "Now. you tell me. are you all in agreement with Mr. Kaviraj's view?" "Hail post-master!" "Hail Sir J. C. Roy!" "Hail post-master!" "Hail Sir J. C. Roy!" "Father. a lot of the people from the village are coming here." "Uncle Haradhan is also with them." "Has that fool come back?" "All right." "You went on a day's leave and have returned after 3 days." "This is not a joke." "This is a government job." "Oh!" "What has happened to your face?" "Have you been fighting in the elections?" "Oh!" "Your other leg should also be broken." "Dada." " Calling me Dada will not melt me." "I'll dismiss you from the job for remaining on leave." "Who are you scaring with dismissal from service?" "He's Sir." "J.C. Roy." " Who is he?" "He's Sir." "J.C. Roy." "Haradhan.." "Sir." "J.C. Roy!" "That means.. you.. you forgive me." "Dada." "I'm always Haradhan for you." "Hail post-master!" "Hail post-master!" "Hail post-master!" "Hail post-master!" "Why are they hailing me?" "They are congratulating you." "They have all chosen you as the best man in the village." "This is my mother." "She will give the amount of 5 million.." "..with her own hands to you." "No." "No. brothers." "Brothers." "excuse me." "I'm an ordinary man." "I will not be able to shoulder such a big responsibility." "Why not?" "I have heard everything about you from Jagdish." "There are very few in this world like you. who may be.." "..ground in poverty but do not accept defeat." "Only people like you can bring prosperity to this country." "That is why you will have to undertake this responsibility." "Along with the whole village." "I also give my vote to you." "Hail post-master!" "Hail Sir." "J.C.Roy!" "Hail post-master!" "Hail Sir." "J.C.Roy!" "Look at this. will you?" "What a big mistake we have made?" "Such a big man and so much trouble.." "..so much hardship and.." "What complaints are you making about me to mother?" "Come." "Come Sit down." "Come." "Look." "Dada." "If you indulge in so much formality.." "..I'll get into the car with mother right away and drive off." "You please sit down." "Mother. all your work is done." "The amount of 5 million has been given to the best man in.." "..the village but a job of my own remains undone." "What is that?" "What is left is to take the nicest girl of this village.." "..Ms. Seema out of the hands of Bhanj and marry her off to.." "..Mr. Rajat Sharma." "Dada.." "..here is 5000 rupees for Seema's marriage." "Sister." "Sister." "I've heard our uncle Haradhan is a big man." "Where is he?" "What are you looking at. you monkey?" "I'm your uncle." "Haradhan?" "Then." "I'll give my blessings to Seema today before I leave." "Come. child." "Come." "Choose a good day and inform me." "I will certainly come." "Bless you. child." "Bless you." "Seema. on this happy occasion." "we should get a.." "..strong cup of tea." "I'll get it right away." "Right away." "Seema. my child." "I'll also have a cup of tea." "Will you give me one?" " Why not." "Including this. how many times have you ever had tea?" "Only 3 times." "You all are happy but I'm sad." "I've lost my job." "The greater sorrow is that I have to leave you all and go." "Where will I get your love." "your affection?" "Okay. dada."