"Mine!" "Whose pigeon?" "My birds brought it down" "You have no claim on it - l am willing to pay 8 annas" "The price of six!" "So go, buy three for 4 annas - 4 rupees more likely" "You made money giving false testimony." "Remember?" "I never gave any false testimony" "Wants pigeons?" "He keeps pigeon only to trouble you." "He's a real scoundrel lt was a bad day when you testified against him" "He's spent 12 years in prison." "He won't forget so easily" "What made you testify against him?" "They asked me on oath what kind of man he was ...so I told them" "Bring us guavas and oranges when you return - and a doll I will" "Look at her, still playing with dolls after her engagement" "Come here" "How are you, little sir?" "You got engaged, and didn't tell your Uncle Dilawar?" "Come and get your pigeon." "Your father has paid for it" "Wait here, I'll be right back" "This place looks all right" "You'll kill her, but what about my money I thought you had other ideas - l'll repay you" "May I say something?" " Yes?" "Let's go to Lucknow and sell this girl" "Amiran is missing" "She was playing outside." "Dilawar took her away with an excuse about pigeons" "For God's sake, go and find my child" "My child!" "Where's my child?" "I've looked everywhere" "Allah is great" "Here, eat your food" "Won't you eat?" "What's your name?" " Ramdei." "Yours?" "Amiran." "Did they kidnap you too?" " Yes, from that fair" "So, there are the girls?" " Salaam" "How much for this one?" " A thousand" "Has your lover ever seen that much money?" "One thousand rupees!" "Trying to con me!" "Don't be offended" "The way you talk!" "I've sent dozens of girls to the palaces" "Never paid more than 500" "You name it then - 200" "Look at her face, her hands" "Just 200, that's it" "For 200, have this one" "She's not bad either." "A bit dark." "And a weak frame. 150 for her" "Agreed" "The Begum won't have a dark girl I'll take the first one." "Here, 200 rupees." "Count them" "Come, girl" ""Who tied the swing to the mango tree?"" ""My lover swings..."" ""The swing tied to the mango tree"" ""He caught my arm, embraced me"" ""Who tied the swing to the mango tree?"" ""Who tied the swing to the mango tree?"" ""My heart beats fast, I'm scared"" ""Swing gently, my love"" "Come" "is this the girl?" "Come here, my child" "How much?" " Whatever it is, we go halves" "Okay." "The amount I promised is ready." "Where's the other girl?" "A lady took her for her house" "For how much?" " 400 l'd have given that for a good-looking girl" "This one's also good-looking" "The money-box" "Husseini, she's not expensive at 250 rupees?" "Expensive?" "She's cheap" "Not so cheap either." "Anyway, she looks innocent enough" "God knows where they lift them from." "They've no fear of God I'm not responsible." "The sin will be on these rogues' heads lf not here, they'd sell somewhere" "She's well-off here." "You've heard how the ladies treat their maids?" "Of course." "The other day ... I heard that a lady who saw her maid talking to her husband ... had her killed with red-hot irons" "Such women will pay on the Day of Judgment" "Give me this girl, I'll bring her up" "She'll be yours but I'll care for her" " All right" "Where're you from?" " Bangla" "You mean you don't know this?" "Faizabad is also called Bangla" "What's your name?" " Amiran I'm Bismillah I don't like that name." "I'll call you Umra" "From now on you'll answer to Umrao" "When the lady says 'Umrao', you say "Yes 'm"" "Come, have a bite" "Yes'm" "What does your father do?" " He's a caretaker" "Where?" " At the tomb of Bahu Begum" "Go to sleep" "Will you see to her." "Come." "What has happened to you?" "I don't know what has happened to her." "She was sleeping and she woke up all of a sudden." "What are you trying to do?" "You were trying to run away?" "Where would you run to?" "Run!" "Run!" "She's just a child." "Thatis enough." "I will break your legs if you try to run away again." "She won't." "What happened?" "Have you gone mad?" "Where were you going?" "If you had gone out, someone would have killed you." "There are a lot of bandits out there." "Don't go anywhere again." "This is your home now." "Do your salaam" "Khan Saheb will teach you music." "Will you learn?" "He's a great musician." "Put your heart in it, and all Lucknow will know you" "They'll all come to hear you sing." "You'll be known in the Court" "Not to talk of the money and jewels" "You may begin, Khan Saheb" "Hold out your right hand" "We begin with the name of the merciful Allah" "Now sing with me" "Here mindlessness does not refer to lack of intelligence or knowledge" "This mindlessness is an ultimate bliss, of love, when everything ceases" "Neither the desire nor its object remained" "That is, neither the lover nor the beloved remains, not even love itself" "Only a state of mind which the poet calls mindlessness" "And this mindlessness is the beauty of the couplet" "Wonderful, sir, sometimes I too feel like composing poetry" "Go ahead." "There's no better way of expressing one's feelings" "Will you help with suggestions?" " But certainly!" "Khanum is calling you" " Nothing wrong, I hope?" "You'll have to ask her" "Ma'am, did you call me?" " No." "Who said I did?" "Gohar Mirza I haven't seen that rogue for two days. I sent him to buy something" "Must've spent the money!" "Tell that rascal to see me" "Gohar Mirza!" "This was an offering" "Great!" "Umrao, you make it better than even Aunt Husseini lt should be sweeter" "You're shameless, telling lies to get food lt was meant for the shrine" "Someone would've eaten it anyway I hope to God you die of cholera." "Die right now" "Show me those ornate earrings" "Aren't they beautiful?" "Where is the matching front piece?" " lt isn't ready yet" "Send it today." "We need it in two days" " Very well" "Where is the banat from Delhi?" " lt's in the box" "Are you saving it for Maulvi Saheb's cap?" "Get it, quick" "Khanum Saheba, your jokes are priceless" "My feet are killing me." "Do this, do that" "Such a big gathering and only me to do all the work" "What are you doing here?" "You'd forgotten about me. I was very hungry, so I thought..." "Couldn't you have waited a little?" "Why should you, I'm not your lawful wedded wife" "Stop being angry at small things" "Here, eat" " No" "On your life, please sit" "You're really good at persuasion" "Not only my heart, take..." "Someone's there" "Another poem?" "Great going, Read" ""Not only my heart, Sir, take my life"" "" But do as I ask just once"" "Not bad, but remember two things" "The delicacy of the thought..." "And the rhythm of the words" "Listen to the poet Mir..." ""How do I describe the softness of her lips?" "They are like rose petals"" "You are talking of great poets" "She is just a beginner" "What do you say, sir?" "You say, 'Not only my heart...'" "You could say instead..." "What is my heart?" "You take my life." "But do as I ask just once" ""What is my heart?" "You take my life"" ""What is my heart?" "You take my life"" "" But do as I ask just once"" "" But do as I ask just once"" ""What is my heart?" "You take my life"" ""You'll come here again and again"" ""Carefully observe this place"" ""Carefully observe this place"" ""What is my heart?" "You should come to know." ""l know that friends get estranged"" "" But why be obliged to strangers?"" "" But why be obliged to strangers?"" ""What is my heart?" "You take my life"" ""lf you say, I'll bring the sky down"" ""Nothing is difficult if you make up your mind"" ""Nothing is difficult if you make up your mind"" ""What is my heart?" "You take my life"" "" But do as I ask just once"" ""Please accept..."" "Here" " You put it on me" "Like it?" " Very much" "Why look in the mirror?" "Your image is in my eyes" "For me?" "Let's see you put it on" "You put it on me" "You bastard, you pick on my girls to show your manhood I picked you from the gutter I gave you shelter, food, clothes, money and... I swear, I never looked at anyone before, Umrao herself called me" "Trying to fool me!" "Get out of here." "I don't want to see your face again lf you come here, I'll have your legs broken." "Now get out" "Are you all right?" " Yes, by God's grace" "Come in, Nawab Saheb" "Has Bismillah gone out?" "An admirer should be like you, still asking after her" "Have some betel leaf" "You know, Khanum, strange are the ways of heart" "You don't like Malka or Bahar?" "Well, I..." "What do you think of Umrao?" "What are you saying?" "She's at your service, if you wish" "Do I take it as settled?" "Sure." "Just arrange for the money." "It'll be at least 5,000 5000 !" " lt's a question lt'll take some time" "Think about it. I have several offers I'll go to my estate" "In every way I was done down." "My enemy's name written with my blood" "What is this heart, you may take my life." "But do as I ask just once" "You'll come here again and again" "Carefully observe this place." "You're sure this is your composition?" "If my life be spared, may I speak" "Yes?" "The ghazal was written by Umrao Jaan" "Umrao Jaan?" " Yes I've never heard this name before" "Praising Umrao Jaan is like holding a candle to the sun" "She's so beautiful even the Fairy Queen would envy her" "Her verses make great poets admit defeat" "And her voice!" "Her voice is like a leaping flame" "That's her." ""Thousands are intoxicated by these eyes"" ""Associated with these eyes are a thousand tales"" ""The intoxication of these eyes..."" ""You are not the only one disgraced for love of me"" ""ln this city, there are thousands like you"" ""Thousands are intoxicated by these eyes"" ""l'm the only one who intoxicates with my eyes"" ""Though there thousands of taverns in the world"" ""Thousands are intoxicated by these eyes"" ""You think a gale can scare such a flame"" ""A flame which is protected by a thousand moths"" ""Thousands are intoxicated by these eyes"" ""Associated with these eyes are a thousand tales"" ""The intoxication of these eyes..."" "Twenty-five" "Look at Bismillah!" "25 again" "Watch the fun now" "Three!" "I keep losing. I won't play any more" "Spread the board, I'll play" "Has Khanum forgiven you?" "Of course. I'm the support of her old age" "Are you angry with me?" " No" "Then give me your hand" " Why?" "Five mohurs of gold" "Advance for a performance?" " Nawab Sultan sent 10, I've kept 5" "Who is Nawab Sultan?" "The one who gave you the necklace" "There's talk of his retaining you" "And he's asked for the ghazal which you sang yesterday I'll give it to him when he comes here" "All right, give it to him lf you'd sent it through me, I'd have earned some more gold" "Hide these" " Why?" "I have to give them to Khanum" "You don't have to tell her." "Neither will I I'll go and meet Khanum" "Please come in" "I rarely visit bordellos" "We are not such bad people I've come because of you alone" "I know you're saying this just to please me" "No. I haven't got over the spell you cast that evening I felt as though you were singing for me alone" "Whom else?" "Who else understood music and poetry as well as you I was so lost in the music that I forgot to applaud" "There can be no greater applause than that" "The ghazal was written by you?" " lt's nothing, just doggerel" "Such a beautiful poem;" "don't call it doggerel" "You too write poetry" "Poetry is beyond one." "Sometimes when I am alone I may hum a tune" "We are alone here, hum something" "Before you I am dumb" "Oh, come on" "On one condition - l agree" "Give me a copy of that ghazal" "What a thing to ask for" "Don't make me suffer, let me hear it" "A few couplets" ""ln every way I was done down My enemy's name written with my blood"" ""Why couldn't talk of her make me happy today?"" ""Why couldn't talk of her make me happy today?"" ""Why did her name make my heart heavy today?"" "Wonderful!" "What's this?" "These couplets deserve not one, but all of my poems" "You embarrass me I and my poetry are embarrassed We're not worthy of you" ""Why couldn't talk of her make me happy today?"" ""Why did her name make my heart heavy today?"" "What a beautiful thought I wrote it for a poet's meeting in Faizabad" "Faizabad?" "Yes, that's where my grandmother's house is" "You come from Faizabad?" " Yes." "Have you ever been there?" "Let it be. I don't remember anything now lf you remember nothing, why are your eyes moist?" "My eyes smert at times..." "sometimes the light hurts them" "If I can be of any help..." "Nawab Saheb, don't take it so seriously" "Have a betel leaf" "Look, Bismillah" "Aren't they nice?" "The gentleman sitting with Umrao..." "This is a bordello, all sorts of people come here." "Why?" "Please come this way" "My honor is in your hands now" "Sultan must not learn that I come here" "Nawab Saheb?" "What are you saying?" "What do you have to do with him?" "Sultan is my son" "His mother and I are separated, but..." "Rest assured, Nawab Saheb I'd brought this for Umrao, you keep it now" "In just a month you've driven me mad, I can't rest without seeing you" "What can I say?" "Why?" "Now you're here I remember nothing." "But there was something I had to say" "I know what you had to say" "Me, You, And this solitude" "Listen, I've composed a tune for you" " Not now." "Do listen I'm listening." "Hair like rain clouds, eyes like doe's  lips like rose petals, neck like an amphora" "This is your poem I won't talk to you." "Are my poems that bad?" "All right, don't be angry." "I'll listen" "Go ahead, sing, why did you stop?" "I'm no outsider" "Who are you?" " l've come to hear you sing" "Sing" "What's the matter, Umrao?" "Khan Saheb, please step this way" " Why?" "I've something to say" " Say it from there I'm not getting up from here" " You force yourself on us?" "Who's forcing anybody?" "A bordello is open to all" "No bastard has any special rights" "Whoever produces cash gets the girl I'm ready to spend" "Visit us some other time" "Shut up, woman. I've told you I'm not leaving this place" "Child, you come here" "Please let go her hand" "No pimp dare make me let go" "Mind your tongue; perhaps you don't know how decent folk behave" "You've been with a lot of decent folk." "Do what you can" "But for the honor of my family, I'd have taught you a lesson" "You visit whores, and you're afraid of mother?" "Call Macca Pasi" "Don't rely on servants See this sword?" "This is not a fence-ring. lf you want a fight, come outside" "Little boy, you're still kissable lf you fight with a grown man, you'll cop it and make mother cry" "Go home, sir. I'll manage things I won't go" " You'll get a bad name." "Go home" "Go, or you'll get into a murder case I said I won't go" "He's still alive" " Such bastards don't die easily I implore you." "Go away from here" "Pick him up and throw him in the gutter." "We'll see later" "She sits in mourning with her hair open ..." "My desires joined in the condolence" "Don't tease the girl." "She's not well" "She's not ill, just pining away for Nawab Sultan" "And he's hiding his head in mother's lap I know, there's no true love these days" "God help me, but in our days there were lovers" "Either you possess someone or you make someone yours" "Take our Maulvi Saheb." "He'd come to show me his nuptial suit I took his hand and made him sit down. 40 years later, he's still here lf you wish I can get hold of a lover of those days..." "Bald, toothless, but he's lord of 40 villages" "Name" " Nawab Jafar" "Take a note" " To whom?" "Nawab Jafar?" "No - him" ""To love me or not is in your power"" "" But for me not to love you is beyond my power"" "Please take this reply" "Your letter has rekindled the fire that was buried I'm held to my word. I'll never come to your house again" "My friend Banna Saheb lives in Nawabganj" "Come there this evening if you have time" "The Nawab will be a bit late." "The lady is calling you" "Who, Banna Saheb's wife?" "Yes'm" "My husband has been at Nawab Sultan's place since morning I think his mother is not well" "Ma'am, who's this?" "What's it to you?" "As if I don't know" "Everyone knows her - so why do you ask?" "Who's talking to you?" "I was asking our lady" "How can I dare to talk to you, you're high society lf you want to show your coarseness, go to the elder Begum" "Yes, you're right, with her here I'm not needed" "Will you go before I hit you?" " Let her go, she's just silly" "You shut up, you whore or I'll strangle you" "Mean, low-born..." "Let her go, she's old" "What's up?" "This whore made me get a beating" " You dare again!" "Why did you pick on her?" "I swear I said nothing." "Seems she's got up on the wrong side of the bed" "Such rude things she said" "You gave her beating for nothing, child, for this loose woman" "That's why I was saying one can't trust whores" "Even their shadows should be avoided" "If you want to meet me, come to our house" "You know I can't go there" "And I can't come here" "Come in, Panna Mal." "You went for two days and stayed away for 15" "Haven't you heard?" " What?" "I'm ruined." "My house was burgled." "I've lost the wealth of generations" "How much is the loss?" "There is nothing left." "The jewellery is worth 200,000 ls my jewellery gone?" " Mercifully, no. lt was in the shop" "Thank God." "So many burglaries in the city these days" "Yours is the third one in a row" "The police chief doesn't know what to do" "Known thieves of the city were questioned." "They deny any hand in it I hear its an outsider, an outlaw named Faiz Ali" "There's a lady come to meet you..." "Show her in" "The curtains" "Girls, take him to your rooms" "Me, with them, to their rooms..." "What luck!" "Where are you from?" "I hope there's no one else here" "No one." "Just you, me and them... I'm Fakhrunnisa" " Chabban's mother" "You are Bismillah's mother?" " Yes." "Go on, please" "Chabban is my only son, brought up with great love" "He's engaged to his cousin, but he refuses to marry her" "His uncle has disinherited him because of it" "Do me a favor." "Get Chabban to agree to this marriage" "Your daughter has a home for life." "I'll give more than Chabban paid her" "Save my home from being wrecked I'm your slave." "God willing, it will be as you say" "But Chabban must not know of this" "There was no need for this." "We are your servants" "Now I'll ask for your leave" " God be with you" "How are you?" " Well, by God's grace" "We pray for your well being" "No matter how well we do, we still look to you for support" "This time I have a request, lf you permit..." "Command me" "They brought this shawl for sale." "The trader wants 2,000 i think it's not too expensive at 1700 or 1800 lf you are generous, I'll wear a shawl in my old age" "You keep out of this" "You ask him for so many things." "Let me ask today" "Nawab Saheb, has the cat caught your tongue?" "Say something lf not yes, at least say no" "This shawl is of no consequence" "Perhaps you are unaware of my condition" "Nothing wrong, I hope I'll no longer accede to your requests" "We're so low that rich men like you are miserly about little things lt's the truth" "If you can't any longer, why visit us?" "You know very well that a courtesan is a rich man's friend" "Courtesy won't fill our bellies" "This is your home, come when you please." "But think of your honor I've really made a mistake I'll never come again" "You're angry. I won't let you go" "Want me to be insulted again by your mother?" ""The eyes have raised so many storms." "The boat of memories doesn't sink"" ""l see no way of meeting you, getting you again"" "What are you writing?" "A love-letter to Nawab Sultan?" "Can't I write anything else?" "You can't even think of it." "You're dedicated to Sultan I'm afraid you'll go to his house one day" "You seem chirpy." "You've got over grieving for Chabban" "Don't talk of him." "Whenever he is mentioned, I hate the world" "Especially Mother" " What has she done?" "She's responsible for Chabban's death lf she hadn't taunted him, he wouldn't have died" "Bismillah, you're completely changed" "You used to say a whore is respected only in her house" "Outside, she's nothing." "And now " "After Chabban I don't like anything I feel, if I find someone, I'll just hold his hand for ever" "You're a strange one." "And you object to my ways!" "Don't compare Sultan with Chabban" "Chabban could give up his life." "Sultan doesn't even dare meet you" "He wants to. I don't let him" "That's what you say. I'll ask you when he betrays you" "For your sake, I've worn out both my feet and tongue" "Oh God!" "What have I done?" "Not you, me." "My feet ache from making trips to Sultans house" "He was tending, his sick mother" "When I finally met him, my tongue wore out talking of your passion" ""What has this heart not done for love of you"" "What did he say?" "What could he say?" ""Mention of that green fairy..." "And then my description"" "He started begging "Arrange a meeting with Umrao, somehow"" "I'll never meet him at Banne Saheb's" "He'll come to meet you in Musabagh" "Musabagh?" "But that's outside town." "Khanum won't let me go that far" "For just five rupees I'll arrange everything I'll give it." "Tell me" "Khanum herself will take you" "Wait and see" "The saffron?" "Oh God, I forgot!" " What do we put in the 'pulao' then?" "It's because of him." "His betel leaf, his tobacco, his hookah..." "The carriage is waiting. I'll get it" " Forget it, you'll be gone all day" "Looks as if he's never eaten." "Get out of there" "Hurry up - lt's ready" "I haven't seen you all these days." "I kept worrying; thinking" ""Whenever life brings me to your side"" ""Whenever life brings me to your side"" ""... the earth seems fairer than the moon"" ""... the earth seems fairer than the moon"" ""The fragrance of flowers fills my heart"" ""The fragrance of flowers fills my heart"" ""When evening comes, your voice calls me"" ""When evening comes, your voice calls me"" ""... the earth seems fairer than the moon"" ""Your thought like a whisper"" ""Your thought like a whisper"" ""Wakes me up in the darkest hours"" ""Wakes me up in the darkest hours"" ""... the earth seems fairer than the moon"" ""Why must every meeting end in separation ?"" ""Why must every meeting end in separation ?"" ""This thought torments me all the time now"" ""This thought torments me all the time now"" ""... the earth seems fairer than the moon"" ""Whenever life brings me to your side..."" "Umrao is crazy about Sultan" "And I have no one" "So you want to talk of love?" "What else when we're alone?" "So that's it" "Dacoits have carried away Bismillah" "If we'd found her corpse we could have wept and comforted ourselves" "The Nawab Saheb is waiting outside What !" "He's come here" "Help me" "I've come here because my niece has come of age" "You know she has been engaged to Sultan since childhood I'd like to be as soon as " "But I informed you that I do not accept this match lt was fixed before you and I divorced" "God knows the trouble you've caused me I'm surprised that you called on me after these 15 years" "At least ask Sultan if " "Ask Sultan ?" "Who knows better than me?" "What's good for him?" "The trouble I've gone through to give him a good upbringing" "And I didn't take a penny from you for his upkeep" "But I want this match for Sultan's own good" "Perhaps you don't know that Sultan is going astray" "He visits courtesans" "How dare you malign my child!" "Since when have you worried about his good" "Where were you till now ?" "Say rather that you want a match for your niece" "Look at yourself" "You wrecked our home for that wretched Khanum" "And even now you keep visiting her" "Visiting courtesans is an aristocratic tradition" "A tradition for the father, yes." "For the son, its going 'astray'" "Great !" "I'd rather he visit courtesans than marry your niece lt's no use arguing with you" "Sultan is my only son. I will decide about his marriage I'll fix a date, let's see what you can do about it I know my son won't hurt me." "He won't take a step against my wishes" "Don't trouble me, in my condition." "For God's sake, go away" "If I could find a nice girl I'd fix Sultans marriage at once" "Then we'd see what the Nawab could do." "He couldn't do a thing" "Sultan won't marry against my wishes" "My child, come and sit near me" "You're very late" "Ever since Bismillah went, Khanum doesn't let me come out alone lt was difficult to get away" "You seem troubled" "Perhaps I'm not worthy of being told your troubles" "My troubles can't be put into words" "Say something. lt'll lighten your heart" "What can I say... I can't understand you even now." "Sometimes I feel nothing separates us" "At other times it seems your inner world is hidden from me" "Why think so ?" "I've never considered you an outsider" "Then why hide things from me?" "Father never met us." "Now suddenly he wants me to marry his niece" "Why don't you ?" "For your sake I'll bear even that" "Mother is dead against it." "She wants me to have nothing to do with them I don't know what to do" "Do whatever your mother says." "Her claim on you is greater" "You have my best wishes anyway" "Mother may not like that, either" "Listen" "You sing well" " Who are you?" "He wants to meet you." " He has talked to Khanum" "I saw you some months back, in passing" "Once I thought of coming here but somehow I didn't" "And then the house was closed for "Mohurrum"" "I too went home on some work I kept thinking of you" "Wondering what you were like, how your voice would sound" "Thinking of something ?" " No" "All right, you needn't tell me" "Here - a gift" "Keep it" "But this is a diamond !" "is it for me ?" "Don't you like it ?" "I like it, but ... does he love you very much ?" "Who can have faith in such love?" " lt's faith that turns into love" "Look at me." "Faith in Husseini has kept me here all my life" "You're different" "No, my child, it's the same thing" "Either make someone your own or belong to someone" "I tried" "Try again" "You don't belong in a bordello." "The whole world is yours" "Do you drink ?" "No, sir" "Okay. I'm going to my village for some days" "Where ?" " Farrukhabad" "Want to come with me ?" "Khanum will not let me out of Lucknow with anyone I'm not just anyone." "I am a landlord I'll give 2 months salary as advance I'll ask Khanum, Nawab Saheb" "Nawab Saheb !" "Who, me?" "What else should I call you?" "Call me Nawab Saheb." "I like it" "I've come to invite you." "I'm getting married tomorrow" "God bless you." "May the bride prosper" "How nice these clothes look!" "Ah, the lovers of these days!" "I too tore someone's wedding clothes, but you see" "Who was this boy?" "If you like, I'll get him here, bound hand and foot" "Why weep for him?" "They're all like this" "They swagger about in the square but a little mouse scares them" "The English have made our stupid King useless" "These nobles are immersed in luxury" "I tell you, soon the English will come in" "Then all their aristocracy will vanish" "What's wrong ?" "My head aches" " Should I massage it ?" "Come with me." "With the fresh air you'll never get a headache I can't take you away against your wish lf it had been any other woman ..." "Don't know who he thinks he is" ""months ?" "Don't agree, even if he offers 2 years salary"" "Look at his face!" "Thinks every woman is his concubine" "When he comes next, throw Rs.150 in his face and tell me to get lost" "That day he called me an old woman" "Here's 500 rupees" "An advance for a recital by Umrao from the Rao of Sitapur I won't go." "Return the money" " Khanum never does that I have a headache" " You'll be all right by evening" "When is the recital ?" " Tomorrow I won't go to Sitapur" "Don't talk that way." "Khanum will take offence" "You care only for the dance" "You too get something from it" "For God's sake, don't bother me" "What's wrong with you?" "You didn't even want to meet that man" "Then you're ready to go with him to Farrukhabad" "We stopped you, so you don't want to dance... your head aches" "You're forcing me" " Who's forcing anymore?" "If a lion loves a lamb, he starves." "You must dance." "I'll go with you" "You will?" "Yes, whether they let me or not, I'll certainly go" "Secretly?" "Whichever way, take me away." "This place is stifling me" "is your headache better?" " Yes." "How far is Kanpur?" "Tired ?" "I've never been on horseback before" " Come, let's rest a while" "I didn't believe you would come with me lt had become hard for me to live in Lucknow" "I don't know why my heart made me come with you" "Do you know who I am ?" " What does it matter now ?" "Wait here. I'll bring water" "Faiz Ali, the outlaw !" "His horse" " He must be around" "You look there" "Who was Faiz Ali to you?" "What was his relation with you ?" " None." "Did he kidnap you ?" "No" "You were with him of your free will?" " She's his prostitute" "Did you know that he was a dacoit?" "No" "You're from Lucknow?" " Yes" "What is your name?" "Were you with Faiz Ali ?" " Yes ls this same Umrao you told about?" " Yes" "How's Mother?" "When did you leave Lucknow?" "Why don't you sit down?" "In Lucknow everyone thinks that you..." "Several times I thought of writing" "But I was scared of Mother." "She'll come at once and take me away ls the Rajah a good man?" " Very" "The bandits would have killed me that very day" "The Rajah" " God bless him - caught them. I've been with him ever since" "Are you happy ?" "I'm a queen. I live in comfort" "Where were you going with Faiz Ali?" " Kanpur" "Where will you go now?" "Back to Lucknow?" "If I know where, I wouldn't be wandering around" "Still..." "Can you get me escorted to Kanpur ?" ""Whenever I meet life, it seems a stranger to me"" ""Why does life change colors everyday ?"" ""Why does life change colors everyday ?"" "The evenings have become more colorful since she came to Kanpur" "Listen, my friends" "You listen too, Umrao Jaan" "Yesterday I passed a locality" "There was a song being sung and a big crowd I listened carefully, and it was a ghazal by Umrao Jaan" "Does the singer from Lucknow live here?" "Yes." "Go up the stairs" "Are you Umrao Jaan?" " Yes, ma'am" "Our lady has called you." "Tomorrow is her son's birthday" "She'd like you to perform" "How does she know me ?" "She is also from Lucknow" "You're from Lucknow, too" "How did you know ?" "A certain style in your speech" "Keep this, the rest will be settled later I'll keep it so the Begum is not offended" "Right, then I'll go" "I feel we have met somewhere before" "Strange. I was about to say the same" "Are you" " Amiran ?" "You're..." "Remember me ?" "I'm Ramdei" ""Since I parted from you whom will I meet now ?"" ""See what colors life shows me?"" ""See what colors life shows me?"" "Amiran, if they'd chosen you instead of me!" "Then you'd have got the bordello and I this mansion" "Where is your husband ?" "He's gone to Calcutta." "He'll be back by tomorrow" "Now tell me about yourself" "Why?" "It's a happy occasion, talk of nice things" "Here's a suitable couplet" ""What a favor the passage of time has done me"" ""That the earth seems more beautiful than the moon"" ""That the earth seems more beautiful than the moon"" "I forgot." "Nawab Saheb, this is Umrao Jaan" "Umrao Jaan's carriage is ready" "Are you leaving?" " Yes, I ask your leave" "And if we refuse it?" ""l did not find what I looked for"" ""l did not find what I looked for"" "" But this became an excuse for seeing the world"" ""What I was looking for..."" ""l didn't embarrass you, nor do I have any regrets"" ""Thus I maintained the tradition of love"" ""Thus I maintained the tradition of love"" ""What I lost..."" ""l don't remember when I got you, when I lost you"" ""Life, I think I only saw you in a dream"" ""Life, I think I only saw you in a dream"" ""What I lost..."" ""Says 'Ada', what can I say of my condition?"" ""The long journey of life I traversed alone"" ""The long journey of life I traversed alone"" ""l did not find what I looked for"" "" But this became an excuse for seeing the world"" ""What I was looking for..."" "My child!" "How hard-hearted you are." "Don't you love anyone any more" "Your Maulvi Saheb suffers so much, thinking of you all the time" "How is Khanum?" "Losing her daughter half killed her Losing you has finished her" "We have come to take you back" "Umrao, where did you go ?" "You look quite well" " Why should I be ill?" "Aunt Husseini said you..." "What else could I say." "She wouldn't have come easily" "We brought her up, and now that she's earning she goes her own way" "The dove lays the eggs and the crow eats them" "So that's why you came to fetch me?" " Husseini, you are getting old" "She comes home after months and you start talking rot" "Don't take it so hard." "She says any odd things" "No, I won't stay in Lucknow" "Stay till 'Muharram'." "Then you may go where you wish" "Come to me, my child" "Go to your room and rest" "She won't stay here" "The filly has started bucking" " So we'll fence her in" "Bless you, my child." "God give you the riches of knowledge" "Are you unwell?" "Should I massage your head?" " Let me be, I don't have a headache" "Even if you don't..." "Why this sudden show of love?" "Short of cash?" "Why say such un-poetic things?" "For a true lover, sweet words of the beloved are enough" "What'll happen to me when you leave?" "The same as last time" "She heard me weeping but she did not even ask" "What is this sound of crying that I hear?" "The old woman won't let you go so easily" "Even if you leave, she'll fetch you back" "There's only one way" "Get married to someone ls that a proposal?" "Really." "You stand to gain  by marrying me." "Khanum's hold on you will weaken" "And after marriage?" "I'll earn and you'll eat I don't want to go out of the frying-pan and into the fire" "is your name Umrao Jaan?" "Yes I've come from the court." "According to this, Gohar Mirza submits ... that his lawful wedded wife, Umrao Jaan  wants to live with another man without getting a divorce" "The hearing is on the 18th." "Be present in the court" "Your statements will be recorded." "Here's the summons" "This is a copy of our marriage contract" "Apart from Aunty and Khanum, some 15 others were present at the wedding" "Your obstinacy forced me to spend a lot of money." "But I had to do it" "It's false." "All this is false" "I swear, Umrao, I'm not to blame" "Actually, Khanum is not to blame either" "At this age, what else can she do?" "Wait till the new girl grows up?" "It's our fate that is to blame" "Not fate: circumstances" "Can't you withdraw the case?" "One who has lived off Khanum's leftovers would not dare" "Go to Kanpur." "My house is empty" "What will I eat?" "Damn Gohar Mirza." "He had to leave at such a time" "The British are in every alley" "God help us" "They'll break down the gate." "Go out, over the wall" "This is Faizabad." "The convoy for Beneras will leave in the morning" "We'll have to spend the night here - ln this wilderness?" "Can't help it" "Our blessed fate!" ""That which has no face"" ""That which has no name"" ""Why do I long for such a thing"" "In Faizabad, your poetry has made a greater mark than even your singing invitation for performances would be welcome" "Poetry is not enough for a living" "Recall your performance at our place" ""What place is this, my friends"" ""What place is this, my friends"" ""What location is this?"" ""What location is this?"" ""Where, as far as one can see, there's dust and only dust?"" ""What place is this, my friends"" ""To what juncture..."" ""...has life now brought me?"" ""Where I have no control over sorrow or joy"" ""What place is this, my friends"" ""What location is this?"" ""What location is this?"" ""Life asks an account of the days gone by"" ""My heart has no answer." "It's full of remorse"" ""What place is this, my friends"" ""What location is this?"" ""What location is this?"" "" Beyond the blinds who beckons me?"" ""ls someone still sad and restless for me?"" ""What place is this, my friends?"" ""What location is this?"" ""What location is this?"" ""Where, as far as one can see, there's dust and only dust?"" ""What place is this, my friends"" "You're the one from Lucknow?" " Yes" "What is your name?" " How does it matter?" "Are you a prostitute by birth?" "No, by force of circumstances" "Say something about yourself." "Who are you?" "How can I say who I am?" "Where is your real home?" "My real home is where l'm standing now" "Are you Amiran ?" "Where did you go, my darling?" "Where are Father and my brother?" " Your father died long back" "My darling!" "Where did you go?" "Deserting your mother's world, which world have you settled in?" "No, Mother, this is not Amiran, this is Umrao Jaan, the famous courtesan" "Brother!" "You've brought glory to the family" "We thought you were dead" "But you're still alive." "You should have drowned yourself lt'll be better if you go away" "My child"