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(Work area adjacent to the kitchen in a house in
Madras city. A round-table without drawers and a stool. Servant Madhavan
is slicing vegetables for curry. Time is early morning. Enters
Karthiayani).
Karthiayani: Will there be a fool like me?
Madhavan: It's hard to find.
Karthiayani: Will you hear me out?
Madhavan: I shall.
Karthiayani: Even today I kept that bronze kettle with water.......in
the veranda. For Mooppar1 to clean his teeth. Kept brush and tooth paste
also. You know, his towel is usually kept in the side room for drying. I
went there, folded the towel and waited for him!
Madhavan: Yes... yes....! I hear it every day. After brushing his teeth
he bellows from there. 'Karthiayanee!’ You were waiting there to hear
that, isn't it?
Karthiayani: Only after a while, did it strike me.....
Madhavan: That the call has to now come from the other world!
Karthiayani: I felt really awkward. I thought nobody would have seen me
waiting, but when I entered the veranda, kochamma was there!
Madhavan: Vallya kochamma?2
Karthiayani: Yes! She had just finished brushing her teeth! The moment
she took the towel from me, I cried!
Madhavan: That's good! But, it should have been better still, if it were
on the day of his demise. You are late by sixteen days!
Karthiayani: Now, listen! vallya kochamma also cried. She wept embracing
me!
Madhavan: Surprising! This is the first time that kochamma is seen
crying in front of others. Otherwise, she used to weep only behind
closed doors, standing inside the bath room or sitting in the pooja
room. She could weep only like that. Yet she can’t help but weep daily.
Never a day has passed without her crying. Good that at least now, she
got the freedom to cry aloud in the open!
Karthiayani: Don't say that. Vallya kochamma had not been troubled that
much by mooppar!
Madhavan: Oh, no. Who said because of mooppar? Vallya kochamma and
myself came to this house together... Now it has been twenty three
years! In my opinion, she stopped crying just sixteen days back.
Karthiayani: What are you saying! It is not fair for people to be like
this. Not even a single good word to say about the departed soul!
Madhavan: Don't judge me like that. You want good words about him? Then
listen. Madras City is yet to see such a good doctor like Doctor
Karunakara Menon. He was God personified!
Karthiayani: Till now you were speaking ill about that good man!
Madhavan: Let the patients talk about that doctor. I am talking about my
boss. There is no one worse than him in Madras city.
Karthiayani: Wonder of wonders! We were not talking about patients.
Neither about servants.
Madhavan: I know, we were talking about valliya kochamma. May be women
are like that, I am not sure! While they don't feel like loving and
don't have enough courage to hate, the only recourse left for them is to
shed tears.
Karthiayani: Though I have cursed him several times before his death, I
have only good words to say about him today. And I have only good
thoughts about him.
Madhavan: Think of the ways of the world! People don’t need favours.
They only need an assurance that they woudn’t be hurt anymore. Then
begins the flow of love. They would be ready to even shed a few drops of
tears.
Karthiayani: (Looking inside.) Here comes kochamma.
Madhavan: Which kochamma?
Karihiayani: The lady of our young master.
Madhavan: Oh, it is the other way round - she is kochejamanan's3
kochamma!
(Enters Usha).
Usha: (Scornfully) What are you saying?
Madhavan: As you heard it now, about kochejamanan.
Usha: Oh! what have the servants got to say of him?
Madhavan: Nothing good, at any rate.
Usha: Madhavan nair! You are exceeding the limits. Just because you were
here for so long doesn't mean that we will put up with anything you say
or do.
Madhavan: I never thought so. Same way, there are certain things which
kochamma and kochejamanan should also not think of me.
Usha: What’s that?
Madhavan: That, Madhavan is that servant lad who came to this house
twenty three years ago!
Usha: What does that mean?
Madhavan: You want to know what it means! That twenty-three years have
passed since I got too big for my boots. But your husband could speak of
it only yesterday. Too late to say that.
Usha: Why this outburst today? That too in front of me.
Madhavan: It should have been yesterday. But was it not the sixteenth
day of mourning the death of a gentleman who fed both the speaker and
the listener? I didn’t forget it. But then, it is you who made me talk
like that. That too for the silly reason that I didn't escort some
friend of yours at dusk, after having borne the brunt of the day’s work.
Usha: Ah! Wonderful! You are the judge.
Madhavan: Even otherwise I won’t retort to your husband. 1 shuddered
before a tiger for twenty three years. Then why care, when a lamb
bleats?
Usha: (Turns back) Karthiayani, I did not come here to see this fellow’s
outburst. Will it be convenient for you to iron those clothes? You don't
have to, if you too are bearing some brunt. I am afraid of speaking to
you even. Yesterday’s dirty linen are lying on the floor. You need not
wash them either. These days one has to be careful not to get beaten up
by servants! (Walks out, lips quivering).
Madhavan: Now I must be ready. May be today itself. He must order me to
‘get out’. That's the certificate I am looking for. I have some delicacy
instead in requesting vallya kochamma to relieve me.
Karthiayani: (Absorbed in thought) After leaving?
Madhavan: After leaving? ... If relieved this morning, Madhavan would
join duty somewhere else by noon... with better pay!
Karthiayani: I don’t know. Let me iron those clothes.
Madhavan: Stop. Whose clothes? Tell me. Are you prepared to come with
me? Or.....
Karthiayani:: What strange manners are these!
Madhavan: Didn't you like it? Are you prepared or not?
(Karthiayani sobs)
Madhavan: Everything is topsy-turvy: Now it is for me to ask this
question, ‘what strange manners are these?
Karthiayani: Let's go, if we are to. But why not say some good words
before leaving?
Madhavan: Why to leave if we have good words to say? This lady’s husband
was born after my arrival in this house. This young mistress was brought
here when he was twenty two. Not even a year has passed after their
wedding. I cannot be a boy once again and serve these wretched people!
Karthiayani: It has been thirteen years since my mother brought me here.
Madhavan: Yes, I remember Paru Amma of Padinjarayil. Poor old woman died
on the third day of her arrival.
Karthiayani: It has been thirteen years since vallya kochamma had been
feeding me. Am I not a woman? With out considering all these......
Madhavan: Sure. Moreover, today, vallya kochamma even felt like
embracing you. Why should it matter even if you get a few kicks from the
young lady. You better remain here. But inform me when you are done
with.
Karthiayani: Oh! Don’t go without me.
Madhavan: Ah! Neither will you allow me to leave without you nor will
you come along with me!
Karthiayani: If we leave now, won’t they say that we eloped? Did we wait
for so long with great difficulty to hear such an allegation?
Madhavan: Then, you suggest a way out.
Karthiayani: We can speak directly to vallya kochamma or ask someone
else to speak to her on our behalf.
Madhavan: And then they will celebrate the wedding of the maid and the
servant in front of the holy lamp and NiraPara,4 accompanied by the
hallowing sound of piper and drums. Phoo!...!
(Angry male voice from inside)
Karthiayanee, Karthiayanee!
Karthiayani: Oh! Kochejamanan!
(Responds with 'Yeh' sound and runs to him)
(Curtain)
SCENE - II
(Same night. Gopinatha menon in his bed room. Appropriate arrangements.
Gopinatha menon is reading. Enters Kalyani amma.)
Gopinatha menon: Why, amma5? You have still not gone to bed!
Kalyani amma: I could not sleep. But I need to sleep from now on and
that's why I came here.
Gopinatha menon: (Anxiously) What is the problem with your room?
(Afterthought) Yeah, perhaps memories are haunting you amma! You sleep
here. I shall go to Usha’s room.
Kalyani amma: No.
Gopinatha menon: Then I shall also sleep here, amma. Solitude may be
troubling you.
Kalyani amma: (Sits down) Don't worry. I can put up with that. That is
not the reason for me to be here now.
Gopinatha menon: Then?
Kalyani amma: It has been twenty three years since I slept peacefully.
Fatigue will make one's body weary. But peace of mind is required for a
good night's sleep.
Gopinatha menon: Twenty three years! Then, was I responsible for your
worries, amma?
Kalyani amma: Oh no! what do you know of it my dear!
Gopinatha menon: During these years, if amma hadn’t been living happily,
I had no chance of knowing it. I wouldn't be able to understand it even
now!
Kalyani amma: Now you should understand it.
Gopinatha menon: Okay, shall try. Please speak up.
Kalyani amma: (Silent for a while). This is the long and short of it.
You must make small amends in the way you treat Karthiayani. No, not
small; big amends.
Gopinatha menon: (Brooding) This morning I called her up and scolded
her. She did not listen to Usha. Is it not neccessary for the servants
to obey her? I had to scold her a bit excessively. You must have heard
it. Isn't it?
Kalyani amma: Yes. But that is not the reason why I am telling you this
today.
Gopinatha menon: Usha and I scold her at times.
Kalyani amma: Yes; and it is in no way in excess when it is to a
servant. Your father used to be merciless with them.
Gopinatha menon: (Perplexed). Then what type of change in behaviour are
you talking about?
Kalyani amma: Gopi,... Karthiayani is your elder sister.
Gopinatha menon: (Sardonically). Now-a-days amma has developed a liking
for philosophy that adores socialism. It is only natural, but we need to
live in this society.
Kalyani amma: I knew that it would be hard for you to believe it. In
fact no one would. But, I have only this to tell everyone.
Gopinatha menon: (Laughs still louder) Did amma sleep at dusk?
Kalyani amma: Ah! You mean I dreamt! Gopi, this is neither dream nor
delirium. I gave birth to her... earlier to your birth.
(Gopinatha menon composes himself; stands in front of his mother and
looks closely at her).
Kalyani amma: I know it is easier to believe that I am insane, than to
believe this. But I can prove that I am not insane. You remember your
father’s old diaries? It's only today morning that you brought them
here. Read his diary written almost thirteen years ago - the entries on
the day Karthiayani came to this house. He wrote it on the very same
day.
Gopinatha menon: (Takes out the diaries from the shelf) Anyway, I shall
take the diary. When mind is agitated, some impressions get inside from
nowhere. And they bar the entry of reality. I am not happy about amma’s
restlessness and sleeplessness. It is indeed a great boon that achan
kept his diaries. But I should not have brought it here. Now itself I
shall keep them in amma’s room. (Piles up the diaries on the table).
Kalyani amma: (Quickly gets up and with ease selects and opens a diary
and places it in front of her son) Look here! I can recognize this diary
among thousands of the kind, within seconds. I have repeatedly recited
what is written in it, as many times as I could.
(Gopinatha menon reads the diary and nervously falls back into the
chair).
Kalyani amma: Now, my son! Aren’t you convinced that this is no dream.
No delirium.
Gopinatha menon: Oh! Amma! What is this? Who is this Parameswaran Nair?
Kalyani amma: He was my first husband. He went to Penang before I
delivered Karthiayani. Nothing was heard of him afterwards.
Gopinatha menon: Then?
Kalyani amma: Myself and a weaning baby! Utter poverty and starvation!
We pulled on for three years. By then my mother passed away. And uncle
too.
Gopinatha menon: Was achan there, during that period?
Kalyani amma: No. I fell ill. Some of our friends arranged for the sale
of our house and with that money, managed to admit me into the hospital,
here. Since there would be nobody here in the hospital to look after the
baby, I left the baby with Paru Amma at Patinjarayil before coming.
Gopinatha menon: Was that achan who treated you in the hospital, then?
Kalyani amma: Yes, he was my doctor. He gave me a second life. When I
left the hospital, he took me to his house. His mother was alive then.
She took good care of me.
Gopinatha menon: But then, you could have brought the baby.
Kalyani amma: Your father did not allow me. There was only one recourse
open to me to save myself and the baby - to obey him.
Gopinatha menon: (In a delirious state) Now I understand. But, what an
awful truth!
Kalyani amma: Yes. Gopi! I spent twenty three years in this state of
agony. Now I want to put an end to it: I must sleep.
Gopinatha menon: (Reclining) Yes, amma needs sleep. But I can’t sleep
any more.
Kalyani amma: Won’t you accept her as your elder sister?
Gopinatha menon: There was a time when I used to lie down and listen to
the stories told by you. One of them was about a princess planting a
melon and later floating across the ocean over a bunch of them and the
Shepherd boy winning half the country along with the princess! At that
age, I could believe them without questioning! Against that backdrop
there should not be any difficulty for me now to take the servant maid
of yester years as my sister. Or rather why did I grow up!
Kalyani amma: (Rising) At any cost, she must not be kept a servant maid
any longer.
Gopinatha menon: Amma, past these long years you lived in this house
afraid of achan, and cursing him from the bottom of your heart.
Kalyani amma: You are free to judge. But, Karthiayani is not a maid
servant from tomorrow onwards.
Gopinatha menon: Is she aware of it, amma?
Kalyani Amma: No, not yet. poor girl! She sleeps believing that she is
the daughter of Paru Amma of Patinjarayil. May be she is dreading a
night-mare, of being scolded by you or by Usha.... lying on a sheet on
the floor, in the maid's room! There she lies. But, she will sleep there
only tonight.
(About to leave).
Gopinatha menon: Oh! Amma, won’t you allow me even breathing time? Did
you bring me up for the last twenty three years only to place this heavy
load on my head?
Kalyani amma: (walks away. And turning back). Now I must sleep! I must
sleep! (Exits)
Gopinatha menon: (Staring in that direction) Sleep! Now only I
understand its full charm!
(Curtain)
SCENE - III
(Work area. At the corner of the floor lies some dirty linen. Usha
stares at them furiously. Enters Karthiayani)
Usha: Didn’t you wash the linen last night?
Karthiayani: I shall wash them now, kochamma.
Usha: That is not what I asked you. Why was it not done last night. I
want to know why. I have no power within me to make you work. But, if a
reason is sought for the negligence, I hope, perhaps you won’t revolt.
Karthiyani: Kochamma! What do you mean! I do it every day. Am I not
staying here to do the domestic chores?
Usha: It is not for you to do it at your convenience. If it is so and if
you feel that we should enjoy your services at your will and pleasure,
all right, do speak up.
Karthiayani: Kochamma! Last night vallya kochamma went to bed very late.
I was afraid to be alone outside to wash the linen. I thought I would do
it this morning. I never meant wilful negligence.
Usha: If so, you would have done it early this morning. Even if you
didn’t wash them yesterday, nay, at least you should have put them in a
bundle. But you kept them where it is, as if you threw them on to my
face. Why this circumlocution? Tell me frankly, If you can’t. Please
don’t harass me like this. Now I am afraid of even speaking to you
people. Won’t you listen to me at all? I have so little authority over
you! If you speak up frankly, then I can at least avoid such things in
future.
(Karthiayini bundles up the linen. Enter’s Kalyani amma. She snatches
the clothes from Karthiayini).
Kalyani amma: (Keeping calm, tells Usha) I am going to take bath. I
shall wash these clothes then. (To Karthiayani). Meanwhile you arrange
the pooja room.
(Karthiayani and Usha stand stunned)
Karthiayani: (Weeping) Kochamma, please forgive me this time. From now
on, I shall wash them every night, even if it is late.
Usha: (Goes to Kalyani amma and takes the bundle) Oh! Amma, what are you
doing? Can’t you act differently, with me? (Her lips quiver).
Kalyani amma: Oh! Both of you have misunderstood me!
Karthiayani: (To Usha) I have never disobeyed kochamma. Please don’t
bear any ill will towards me. I shall fall at your feet, if I am wrong.
Kalyani amma: No, no, no. Don’t do that.
Usha: Amma, you could have told me straight to my face that I should not
scold the servants here. This is really unkind of you.
Kalyani amma: (in a mood of resignation) I give up. When words no more
carry their right meaning, action alone could be believed. But, when
actions create more confusion than words, we are indeed helpless!
(Goes out)
(Enters Gopinatha menon)
Gopinatha menon: (Understands the situation at a glance). Usha, leave it
there.
Usha: Yesterday you scolded her severely. But amma doesn’t want her to
obey me. Amma could have made it clear earlier, so that I would have
done it myself, or my brother would have arranged someone for me. I need
not have been humiliated like this, in front of the servants.
Gopinatha menon: No body got humiliated today. If at all anyone got
humiliated, that was till yesterday!
Usha: That means?
Gopinatha menon: Till yesterday, we have been making her do improper
things... and were speaking to her improperly .
Usha: If it is so, what’s the use of the servants? What should we tell
them? I fail to understand anyone today!
Karthiayani: Oh, God! Did I commit such a great sin? I didn’t wash the
clothes for a day. That too only one day during the last thirteen years!
The way things are going, I will have to look for another house by
evening. I lived with my amma in her house for twelve years. Then I
shifted to this house and this became my house. For the last thirteen
years, I have never disobeyed anyone. Didn`t I look after kochejamanan
with tender care since he was ten? Did I serve you all only as a
wage-earner? Oh God! If I had a younger brother, I would not have loved
him any better!
(Gopinatha menon turns his face in silence; and wipes off his tears)
Usha: (Perturbed by the expression of Gopinatha menon) So, I am the
comet that entered the orbit of your family! If so, why not tell me
openly? You could have given me a hint at least. Karthiayani amma! I
don’t know the customs and manners here. It is for them to brief me. So
far no one has hinted that my conduct is wrong. Because of me, you
needn’t seek a new house. My brother did not bring me up so badly,
lacking humanity! (became more virulent and turns to Gopinatha menon).
What did I do to go through this hell?
Gopinatha menon: Enough! Stop! Stop! When women speak, they first stir
up the hornet’s nest of arguments. Before one word could reach the ears,
they might have made a hundred stings on your soul. Look, nobody's going
to go away from here.... Till yesterday we were in dark about our
relationships. Those who knew it could not speak for reasons best known
to them. In a sense Usha, we are fortunate. We suffered its pangs only
for a few hours, while our deceased father and living mother were
reeling under it for the past twenty-three years!
Usha: (Interrupting him) would you mind speaking in a language I can
understand?
Gopinatha menon: Usha! Both of you may still not understand, because it
is difficult to comprehend. There are certain things which fail to make
sense, even if spoken to. You may very well test it now, if you are
interested in. I tell you that this lady who stands infront of us is not
the maid servant of yesterday. She is my edathy6 - The child whom my
mother saw as her first baby (To Karthiayani) Don’t be perplexed. I am
not joking. I knew of it only last night. It is true that you are my
elder sister!
(Karthiayani stands dumb founded)
Usha: (Becomes furious at the joke) Haven’t you got anything better to
utter?
Gopinatha menon: To those who do not understand what is already spoken
to?
Usha: What silly things are you talking?
Gopinatha menon: (In a serious tone). That this is my elder sister. That
means, your sister-in-law. You don’t know our family history!
Usha: How is it? (As if she is somewhat convinced) So, what really
happened, then?
Gopinatha menon: You better ask amma. She will be able to tell you in a
better way (To Karthiayani) Prepare the pooja room before amma comes.
Usha, you may also go along with her. (Exit).
(Usha throws the bundle of unclean linen on the floor and sits on it.)
Karthiayani: (Stands hiding her face in her hands) Oh! Amma!...
(Curtain)
SCENE - IV
(Verandah. Noon time. Kalyani amma sits on one of the chairs kept around
the round table . Usha stands behind another chair on the right side
with hands resting on it)
Kalyani amma: My mind is shuddering with an awful fear!
Usha: Why amma!
Kalyani amma: It is the first time that I am going to see her not
dressed as a maid servant.
Usha: Yes, but why are you afraid of it?
Kalyani amma: I have no faith in the intervening moments that she takes
to come here from that room.
Usha: Amma, you suffered a lot. And on several occasions, you were
desperate too. Our minds would be getting ready rather unconsciously, to
adapt even to the sudden changes in the situations. Look here, amma! Do
you know how reluctant she was to wear that saree and silk-blouse! I was
in terrible distress! What an unbecoming shyness! Oh! It was too much...
she wont even wear the jewellery. She can’t stand before her brother
dressed up like this, she was muttering.
Kalyani amma: She will feel quite awkward in that new form even in front
of me. Shyness has a quality to affect even the onlooker. No such
unnatural expressions should appear on my face, when I see her in the
new attire for the first time. When I think of it, I become all the more
ill at ease.
Usha: Yes. Nothing unnatural should appear in amma’s face. (Looking
towards the dressing room) Yes, please come.
Kalyani amma: (Looking towards the dressing room). Karthoo... come here!
(Karthiayani all dressed up appears on stage with Dutch courage. She
stands on the left side of Kalyani amma. Seizing her hand Kalyani amma
beckons her to sit in the next chair. By then, she covers her face in
her palms and sobs)
Kalyani amma: Cry my baby, cry. You have been suppressing it for the
last twenty three years. Your amma could but reduce its vigor, by
weeping a little, everyday. (pats on her back - with a smile).
Usha: Oh! No. You must stop this by the time my brother comes here
(Karthiayani wipes her face, cheers herself up despite her shyness and
look around to know which brother.) Your brother has gone to bring my
ettan5a.
Karthiyani: (In a mild complaining tone). You will invite the whole
city... to exhibit me.
Kalyani amma: Karthoo, call Usha by her name.
Karthiayani: (with hesitation). Amma! (Stops).
Kalyani amma: Speak up, dear!
(Karthiayani feels awkward and becomes diffident to speak)
Usha: (Smiles) Amma, if you are called upon to forget a full stanza and
recollect a new one all of a sudden, then some aberrations are bound to
happen while reciting.
Karthiayani: We can’t forget everything altogether, (Pressing her face
against the hands of Usha). Have I ever imagined this to be the hands of
my sister-in-law!
(Usha stands closer to Karthiayani)
Usha: It was better that you didn’t! Otherwise, you would have died long
ago, from the stings of my poisonous tongue.
Kalyani amma: Forget the bad past my children, forget.
Karthiayani: Considering that you were speaking to a maid, you didn’t
say anything unbearable. In that sense, I am grateful to you. But some
things that are unforgettable will remain.
Usha: Edathi! what’s that?
Karthiayani: Human beings can’t be easily transplanted like spinach.
Kalyani Amma: Look! Here comes Gopi and Gangadhara menon.
(Enter Gopinatha menon and Gagadhara menon. Mother and Karthiayani rise
from their seats. Usha walks one step forward to greet them).
Usha: Etta! Should I introduce my sister-in-law to you?
Gangadhara menon: (smiling) In that case, some one will have to
introduce you to me, if you change your hair style. Aunty! I have great
pleasure that your daughter’s life in incognito is over.
Kalyani Amma: Take your seat.
(Gangadhara menon, Kalyani amma and Gopinatha menon take their seats.
Karthiayani stands behind Kalyani amma and Usha behind her brother.)
Gopinatha menon: Edathi may sit here.
Gangadhara menon: Usha! you must teach her the etiquettes of the
society.
Usha: (Laughs) She knows the theories well. Difficulty is in practicing.
(Karthiayani blushes ever more with each reference about her)
Gopinatha menon: Edathi, you had lost several good moments in life.
Sisters generally keep as a mark of their childhood memory, wound scars
on their hands or marks of scratches on their abdomen inflicted upon by
their younger brothers. We didn’t meet during that period. But after our
meeting, I have harmed you a lot. You may have traces of it in your
mind. Keep them as memories of this younger brother.
Gangadhara Menon: It is said that when sibblings make scratch marks or
scars on each other, part of their soul is broken!
Karthiayani: Oh! If ever I knew that you were my brother! (Tears roll
down, failing her voice) Usha! please come.
(Karthiayani exits excitedly, hand in hand with Usha)
Gopinatha menon: It is better you go now! It requires the heart of an
ogre to face such a scene!
Gangadhara menon: Aunty, you have cried a lot; that too in silence! You
might have suffered its sourness in a much higher degree than anyone
could imagine. Probably that was required to create the present scene. I
tell you this. Even if each drop of those tears had been converted into
pearls and if all of them were exhibited together, it would not have
produced the grace of this scene. This is so sublime!
Kalyani amma: I have shed tears in misfortune! Now in fortune too, I
can’t but weep.
Gangadhara menon (Laughs) Do we call the misfortune that starts
bubbling, as fortune in full bloom?
Usha: (Returns) Etta, you made her cry. She is now murmuring and
recounting the past, as if her brother is dead. When she came here she
could not even embrace her brother and give him a kiss!
Gopinatha menon: (Wipes his tears). Let bygones be bygones! From now on
my sister can expect all the loving care from me.
Kalyani amma: That is as far as you are concerned. (Looks at Usha)
Usha: Me? For my part I should say I won’t get such a gentle relative
like her in my life. Hope she won’t keep any grudge towards me against
my past harassments.
Kalyani amma: I never bear malice. It will be so with my children too.
Gopinatha menon: If character comes by heredity, then I might inherit my
father’s heartlessness too!
Gangadhara menon; Oh no! Don’t speak ill of your father. That generation
had their own vanities. Such notions were common, like if one’s wife is
not a virgin, it's a matter of shame for the husband!
Gopinatha menon: One cannot separate a mother from her child without an
element of cruelty. That aspect lacks conviction in your interpretation.
Gangadhara menon: Instead, think of the generosity of his action in
writing that diary. Indeed, he must have thought of the possibility of
the child’s suffering after her mother’s death. Otherwise the whole
property would have fallen into your hands, Gopi. He did so much of
justice to that girl... not to put undeserving faith even in his own
son. Such an attitude can come only out of sublime kindness.
Gopinatha menon: May be true.
Kalyani amma: Even the present generation entertains such vanities as
what Gangadhara menon said. Oh, my mind aches to think of Karthoo.
Usha: What is the short coming with my edathi? Is she not entilted to
share equal status with her brother?
Gopinatha menon: No. People would still say, that she was a mere maid.
You can dress up any one with love - but, that dress would cover up
ugliness only upto one’s neck.
Kalyani amma: Your father’s sin can’t be expiated until she becomes your
sister in its full sense. Until then, I won’t attain salvation.
Usha: If ever someone thinks ill of my sister-in-law, I will cease to be
a relative of him or her, throughout my life.... however intimate they
were to me till then.
Gangadhara menon: My girl, your pledge is too hard! Those who know your
character won’t disbelieve you!
Gopinatha menon: We must entrust my sister to a proper hand. Otherwise,
all these will turn out to be a farce. Instead of helping, it will
really be harmful to that gentle soul.
Usha: You are right! What we have done now is to put a free flying bird
into a cage; that too, out of compassion!
Gopinatha menon: Now the cage cannot be opened!
Kalyani amma: Amma put a heavy weight on your shoulder, son.
Usha: Even otherwise he is restless in his sleep!
Gangadhara menon: Oh! My girl, don't brood over it. Don't get agitated
in your present condition.
Kalyani amma: Yes, yes. There should not be any room for anxiety when
one is carrying. That is bad for the child.
Gangadhara menon: If it is humanly possible to solve the problem, then I
assure you that this family will not have any! Is that okay?
Usha: Ideals are quite good!
Gangadhara menon: Look here my girl! Your brother is a bachelor.
Usha: Ettan!
Gangadhara menon: Have you started thinking, that your sister-in-law
doesn’t enjoy the status, when it is for your own brother?
Usha: No, no...not at all! I cry, because I am overjoyed.
Gopinatha menon: Gangadhara menon, I know your concept about marriage.
That is why I tell you this. Even if it is for the sake of my sister, a
man like you should not make such a sacrifice.
Gangadhara menon: Oh, my! This is no sacrifice. I am far removed from
the concept of ideal love. I have started regarding marriage as
practical life. If Karthiayani can love me, we can conduct this marriage
without any issues.
Kalyani Amma: In terms of age, both of you complement each other.
Gopinatha menon: And both have the same common point of love; Usha and
me.
Usha: Oh! Let me somehow bring my sister-in-law here. (She goes out,
running)
Gangadhara menon: Today she is only twelve years old! Poor girl!
Kalyani amma: This is the second time that you are blessing our family.
First, with Usha and now with your own self. When I see such things,
which we never ever imagined could happen, I can’t but think that these
are the results of the relations in the past birth.
Gopinatha menon: By and large, the whole situation makes me also
emotional. But, it is not happiness, as in the case of Usha. I
experience an unknown fear. Could be because of lack of precedence.
(Enters Usha with Karthiayani)
Usha: (Points at Gangadhara menon) Sister-in-law, do you know him? Shall
I introduce him to you now? You may not be able to call him by his name7
after a few days.
Gangadhara menon: Oh my girl! I should pinch your ears!
Kalyani amma: Karthoo! Gopi has decided to give you in marriage to
Gangadhara menon.
Karthiayani: Oh! Oh! (Stands wonderstruck for a few moments, wants to
speak something, but keeps quiet with self-restraint) I feel suffocated.
You should not dabble with one’s life like this. Usha..! I have a lot to
talk. Yet when I begin to talk, my throat becomes parched!
Gopinatha menon: Edathi, events took place, a little too fast. Please
don’t be perturbed by that. Usha, you need not compel her to be here.
These speedy changes would make anyone, dizzy!
(Usha goes in, holding Karthiayani)
Karthiayani: (As she goes) Ah! Had it been possible for me, without
using words, to make people understand!
Gopinatha menon: Today I am going to announce this news in the Club.
Gangadhara menon: (After a pause and due consideration) Better we do it.
Gopinatha menon: Slowly but surely, people will come to know of this and
then they might start ridiculing us. If we divulge the information by
ourselves, then we can keep up its seriousness.
Gangadhara menon: (Ponderously) That’s right.
Kalyani amma: Think well before proceeding.
Usha: (Returns) To day is the day, when my edathi reaches the end of her
weeping days.
(Curtain)
SCENE - V
(Time is dusk. Kalyani amma sits in the Verandha. Madhavan stands by her
side submissively)
Kalyani amma: What do you want Madhav?
Madhavan: Kochamma, kindly permit me to go away from here.
Kalyani amma: Hmm, What happened to you? And so soon?
Madhavan: It happened rather suddenly. I thought I would be asked to go,
so I won't have to request for it.
Kalyani amma: Whom did you expect to do that.
Madhavan: Kochejamanan - I was waiting to hear a ‘get out’ from him for
the past two days. If so, I could have avoided seeking permission from
you, kochamma. But till now, it didn’t happen.
Kalyani amma: Why do you take it so seriously, if Gopi at times speaks a
few angry words! Don’t you think that any one who manages a house has to
fret and fume occassionally? You are not a novice in this house. Is it
not natural for him to utter a few unpleasant words with the kith and
kin, when he has to shoulder the responsibilities all alone and all of a
sudden?
Madhavan: I don’t blame him for that. Any how, it is definite that I
should say good-bye. I should have been much happier, if kochejamanan
had relieved me from the services. If he had told me “not to wait or to
get out,” I needn’t have to ponder very much over it. That's all.
Kalyani amma: Look here. Karthu is my daughter. I revealed that fact.
All are happy to know about it, which was beyond my expectations. I have
thought of you only as a member of this house. It is not a pleasant
thing to send one amongst us away in the midst of this rejoicing.
(Madhavan stands silent)
Moreover, her marriage is also fixed. Probably Madhavan is also aware of
it. You know how difficult it will be for us to conduct a wedding with a
fresh hand? (Looks at Madhavan’s face expecting a positive reply from
him)
(Madhavan is still silent with a down-cast look)
Inspite of all this, if Madhavan wants to go, then we can think of it
once the function is over. Perhaps, by then, these ill feelings also
would subside.
Madhavan: Kochamma, myself and kochamma came to this house almost at the
same time. I was about fifteen then. When I called you ‘kochamma’ and
addressed him as “mooppar’ I felt the happiness of addressing my own
mother and father. That attachment is still fresh in my mind. It gives
me confidence and so I want to open up with you. Will you get hurt,
kochamma?
Kalyani amma: Madhavan, Speak up! I too didn’t think otherwise of you.
Madhavan: If Karthu is your daughter, it is imperative that I leave this
house. Earlier the better.
Kalyani amma: (Worried) What’s the matter?
Madhavan: Till yesterday, I have been giving orders to her. She had been
a girl waiting by my side, sometimes afraid of me, and at other times
expecting my favours. Now she happenes to be one who would be giving me
orders, just like ‘kochejamanan.’ I have to bow before her like I do in
the presence of ‘Usha kochamma’ because she happens to be ‘kochamma’ to
bless me with her benefactions, for my small little needs. Suppose we
are not assuming such positions, then it would be bad for kochamma’s
daughter. It would be bad for me too. One can easily rise to the
position of a boss. Human tendency is always to come up in life. Nobody
would like to degrade himself.
Kalyani amma: (Immersed in thought) What you speak is quite true. We
have raised her to our status. But in your case, you have to look up to
her from now on. Still, we can’t think of sending you away from us.
(Sits down reposing for some time) If such a grief was not there,
probably the earth would not have been able to bear my happiness.
Madhav! God gave me enough. But it was after twenty three years of
weeping. Now God is taking back a little bit of it from me.
Unfortunately, it happened quite abruptly. (Again becomes immersed in
thought)
(Enters Gopinatha menon. He looks at Madhavan and Kalyani Amma and
occupies a chair close to Kalyani Amma).
Kalyani amma: Madhavan wants to be relieved from here.
Gopinatha menon: So be it. (To Madhavan) When do you want to go?
Madhavan: (In the same tone of coldness) Now itself.
Usha: (Enters) Amma, edathi says with determination.
Kalyani amma: (Anxiously) What?
Usha: That she is not agreeable to the proposed marriage.
(Kalyani amma sits, silent and dumb)
Gopinatha menon: Did we act with undue haste?
Usha: Not at all! There is something more to it.
Kalyani amma: (With fear and suspicion) What is that?
Gopinatha menon: (In the same tone) What else is the matter?
Usha: Amma! Don’t get upset! (Looks indignantly at Madhavan)
Kalyani amma: Please tell me what it is. Did she commit any blunder?
Usha: Nothing. But she is bent upon doing something disagreeable.
Kalyani ama: I don’t understand anything.
Usha: 1 shall tell you. When it is known to all, why should I conceal?
Edathi wants Madhavan as her husband.
Kalyani amma: (Looks at Madhavan furiously) Oh! you sinner
(Gopinatha menon stands still as though he is struck by thunder bolt).
Madhavan: (Partly to himself) It is not my fault, not hers either. We
had been here together for the last thirteen years, as servant and maid.
Love is no sin between human beings.
Gopinatha menon: Is there any payment left?
Madhavan: No.
Gopinatha menon: Then you may leave; right now.
Madhavan: This is the house where I have been living and working for the
past twenty three years.
Gopinatha menon: What do you want? Any amount apart from your salary?
Madhavan: Money! Keep it with you. Can’t I bid farewell to everyone
here? Vallya kochamma, ... I am leaving.
Karthiayani: (Enters) Wait. (To Kalyani amma) Amma, I can’t allow this
man to go alone.
Kalyani amma: (Completely exhausted) Are you ruining your brother?
Karthiayani: Amma! You made me a princess. You could do it in a day. But
only my body could accept it. My heart is not in tune with it.
Usha: Edathi, where did you get this heart from? You have your amma who
looked after you for twenty three years. Don't you have any
consideration for her? When it was known that you are his sister, your
brother was ready to disregard even his own wife...to love and respect
you. Won’t you care for him? How can you disregard him?
Karthiayani: Usha, you don't know half the things. You will understand
it only if I could rip open my heart and show it to you. There you will
find me prostrated in front of these people, never raising even a finger
against them. But that is in response to their kindness. But such
considerations will not be a hindrence to true love.
Usha: Edathi, you need not talk like this. What is so noble of the
servant of this house to love, except his impertinence!
Madhavan: Kochamma, you won’t have any more of trouble with this
imperitment fellow. Why then beat a dead person?
Karthiayani: Usha, Look here. All of you began to shower love upon me
when you knew that I am the daughter of this amma. On the other hand,
when I was the maid servant, this man was ready to love me, help me and
adore me. You don’t know. It's not only that he did all his duties in
this house, but he did part of my work too; though no one knew about it.
Even if he is a servant, he is a man. On certain evenings, when I am
tired of the day’s toil, he would send me to bed early and washed the
dirty linen by himself. It is presumed by all that I have been washing
these clothes. He bore the whole brunt of his work too. There are
hundreds of such things to remember... during these eleven years - what
does it matter if he is a servant?
(Gangadhara menon comes ... waits there as he felt that there is
something wrong about the situation)
Usha: Etta, please come with me (She goes inside. Gangadhara menon
follows her)
Madhavan: Karthoo.... Do you think that these people will give you in
marriage to me? Are you waiting for it? I have already said good-bye.
Karthiayani: Amma! your daughter lived only for a day. Henceforth, you
may remember me as a daughter who is dead and gone!
Kalyani amma: Karthoo... I am not worried about you. Be happy with whom
so ever you are with! My only recourse is to weep..not about you
now;..but about my Gopi. I ruined him.
(Enter Gangadhara menon and Usha)
Gangadhara menon: Gopi! what are you going to do now?
Gopinatha menon: Two courses are open to me. Either knock down this
fellow’s teeth or give my sister’s hand in marriage to him. Both seems
to be cruel to me. I am directing this cruelty against myself (Stands up
and goes in)
Gangadhara menon: (To Usha) I don't see any scope for a reconciliation.
A few hours are powerless to change age old ideals. Only one thing is
possible. Be kind.
Usha: What will you tell your friends in the club?... both of you?
Gangadhara menon: I have not pledged my right to any one. The same way I
agreed to marry, I reserve my right to cancel the engagement.
Usha: But, here it is not my brother who canceled this engagement.
Gangadhara menon: All the rights enjoyed by men are equally available to
women. When I speak to my friends that she didn’t want to marry me, I
won't have any unpleasant expression on my face. (To Madhavan) Mr.
Madhavan, what are your plans for the future?
Madhavan: If she agrees to come with me, we shall go to my native place
by the next train. I am fully confident of getting a job elsewhere.
Gangadhara menon: If you don’t misunderstand me, I have vacant houses.
You may occupy one of them. I shall set up some business for you to earn
a living. Thus you can lead a better social life.
Madhavan: This is indeed good fortune! Nevertheless, I can’t accept such
favours from someone who proposed to marry this woman. We are thankful
to you. (To Karthiayani) Come! It is almost time for the train.
Karthiayani: Usha, ... tell your husband ... (Weeps ... as she is
searching for words..:)
(Curtain)
Notes:
1. Mooppar : Respectable reference when the servants address the master
of the house or the eldest member of the household.
2. Vallya Kochamma : Respectable term for adressing the rich ladies of
noble families - more or less equal to ‘the Grand Lady.’
2a.Kochamma : ‘Lady’ in general
3. Kochejamanan : Young master of the house
4. Nirapara : Rice upheaved in a measure called para. Presented to the
diety at the time of festivities as part of rituals along with other
items of offerings.
5. Amma - Mother
5a : Ettan : Elder brother. Sometimes certain ladies call their
husband’s also ettan.
6. Edathi: elder sister
7 : Ladies in Kerala do not address their husbands by their names. Hence
Usha tells Karthiayani that she must not call her elder brother by his
name. Similarly the wife of the younger brother would not address the
elder sister-in-law by her name, as a mark of respect.
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