Barrister Babu

“What is this? How many times have I forbidden you, Devaditya?” Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, the Choto Malik of Tulsipur said, feeling somewhat awkward as the Khajanchi's son Devaditya’s hand stopped on the briefcase at his stare. Aniruddha was now twenty-eight or twenty-nine, and though he was against the grandeur of the zamindars, his nobility and good nature reflected his pedigree. But like other privileged Bengalis, he did not support the Britishers. He was not hesitant to protest against any wrongs if need be.
"I...I mean, you hired me, Malik, so..." Devaditya had to stop at Aniruddha's glare. He knew this look well. He has seen with his own eyes what terrible things could happen when the Choto Zamindar Babu got angry.
“You are my childhood friend Devaditya, you may work here but that doesn't mean you will open my car door when I come home. You are my colleague, my childhood friend, no matter what anyone says, I respect you, don't you know that?"
"I know Aniruddha Babu, but..." Devaditya hesitated. The gardener, the doorman, and the servants were around, all of them were his neighbours. How could he suddenly consider himself equal to the Zamindar Babu?
"No ifs and buts. You know your Bouthan well, she will be very angry if she sees her Jamai Babu open the car door like that again." Aniruddha said with half a smile, picking up his foreign-made coat and gown, "Then you have to pacify her anger." Devaditya smiles faintly. Aniruddha climbed the stairs and went towards the inner courtyard of the Zamindar house.

To tell the truth, Devaditya never saw any of the anger, disappointment, happiness, or sorrow of this Bouthan whom Aniruddha talked about. On the day he did see Bondita closely, she had nothing in common with the fiery girl Sampurna often talked about. She was an almost lifeless, sleepy little bride whose husband, about sixty years her senior but rich, died of a heart attack on the day of the wedding. Perhaps God thought of the girl's welfare when he wrote that in her fate but humans were cruel and stupid. How could they let the girl live? That too one without a father or a husband coming from such a poor family?

Devaditya never imagined he would remember the biggest day of his life like that. Who knew that on the day of his and Sampoorna’'s wedding, the recently London returned Barrister Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, who was a guest and groom's man, was going to bring a storm his life in that way? Standing in front of the people of Debipur village, he wanted to save an eight-year-old child from the evil of Sati. He didn't know the price he would have to pay for it. When he promised to stay by her side in darkness more than in light, and would not back down to bring light to her life, the revolutionary mind of the clueless young rebel did not know that its cost was the vermillion on Bondita’s hairline. And was there no other way to save the innocent life of little Bondita? If there was would Aniruddha not have chosen that path? How could he forget all the promises he made to his childhood friend Soudamini to bring down such an apocalypse on the lives of everyone around him? Even today, Devaditya's heart trembled when he thought about it. Most people would not do what Aniruddha did. But he was not the man to stop only at saving her. Bondita was taught to grow up with educated independent thoughts by her Baristra Babu. He sent her to school by teaching her everything from the alphabet to compound interest all by himself. Devaditya understood that people misunderstood his selfless friend. He was not insane, not a revolutionary, just a flesh and blood man, whose sense of humanity was more intact than theirs.

Aniruddha habitually entered the bedroom and saw his ironed Panjabi in one corner of the bed, the towel, shaving kit and perfume arranged right where he liked them. Just as he took out his purse unmindfully and placed it on the table, he heard the familiar sound of anklets in the hallway. It was approaching the room from the Verandah. Aniruddha was a little surprised. She was not supposed to be home. She had been waiting for that day for a long time; but what happened? Inquisitively, he looked up at the threshold to see Bondita appear, smiling with a glass of Sharbat in her hand.

"What happened? Didn't you go to Didi’s place?" asked Aniruddha, his tone somewhat doubtful. Bondita placed the glass down, wiping her hands in her Anchol and said, "I'm dressed like this because I went there, otherwise when have you seen me dress so gaudily at home?"

"You can do that if you want to, Jethamoshai will be happy." Aniruddha avoided his wife's gaze, finished his Sharbat in one gulp and smiled.

"Are you taunting me in the middle of the afternoon?"

"Bah Re, is there a proper time for taunts?" Bondita did not smile, took the glass from Aniruddha's hand and said, "Food is ready, Shoshur Moshai is waiting for you, come to the dining hall." She was about to turn and leave when Aniruddha suddenly blocked her path and said with utmost seriousness, "Tell me exactly, Bondita what happened there that made you leave?"

"What would possibly happen there, Baristra Babu?" Bondita shook her head. "And would you not know if something did happen?"

"So, are you sick?" Aniruddha casually placed his hand on her forehead. Bondita did not shy away. She smiled amused at his concern and said, “I learnt today that I have more wisdom than you. Understood? Now go to the bathroom, or shall I go and tell Jyathamoshai?”

"Now who's snickering?" Aniruddha said anxiously. "I know you're smarter than me."

"You know?" Bondita raised her eyebrows in surprise and smiled, "Why didn't you say that until now?"

"Because you will become vain." Aniruddha shook his head, "Go and give me food, I am hungry."

"Oma, I was going, but you stopped me," Bondita was surprised at her husband's amused face, shook her head and walked away towards the kitchen.

Aniruddha began to take out some important papers from his pocket one by one and keep them on the table. Another thought ran in his mind. What was it that Bondita did not say? Suddenly his eyes fell on a folded envelope. He had forgotten to read Soudamini's letter in the middle of his busy day.

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Tulsipur

When the country was ignited with the fiery spirit of freedom, on one side, Yugantar Dol was attacking the offices of the British government one after another, and on the other, the treasuries or officials were being constantly targeted or gunned down, how could Tulsipur, a small village in a corner of Dinajpur, be left out of it? People were joining Congress or Bengal Volunteers in groups in a bid to contribute to the movement. Zamindar Trilochan Roy Chowdhury was now fifty-four years old. He remained unmarried throughout his life, being a parent to his three motherless nephews. He managed his great-grandfather's estates, and he was unwilling to sell his pride in the greed of the title of Ray Bahaduri to the British. He had to fight regularly for that. This was the end of winter. Just as he was about to sip his morning tea, the old servant Bihari came and informed him that an officer of Balurghat Police Station had come to meet him. Zamindar Trilochan Roy Chowdhury sent for anot

The Girl From Kolkata

Soudamini was a student of Scottish Church College. She would be twenty-two years old, but in keeping with the day’s city life and fashion, she was not married yet. She spent her childhood in Tulsipur, in their garden house next to the Roy Chowdhurys' house. Her mother passed away at the time of her birth so perhaps when the Roy Chowdhury's mother suffered the same fate, Soudamini extended the hand of friendship to Somnath who was almost her age. Bhowmik Bari's closeness with Roy Chowdhury increased and on that basis, the fathers agreed on a proposal; when the eldest son Aniruddha came from abroad, she would be his wife. She was fourteen years old then. Soudamini wanted to make herself worthy of Aniruddha. She told her father that education at Balurghat’s English school was not enough to be a Barrister’s wife abroad. They left Tulsipur and came to Kolkata so that her father could enrol her for better education and grooming classes. Since she came to Calcutta, she spoke to A

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides

The Zamindar’s Wife

"O Bou , looks like you have invited the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar house too!” Uma Thakuma said in a slightly displeased tone. Sampurna looked up at her mother-in-law, worried. Her age was not more than twenty-two, but she had been married for a long time though nobody kept track of years in villages. After such a long unfruitful marriage, there was a reason for happiness in the family, today was her Sadhpuron . How could she have not invited the little sister who was her nearest relative in the village, to her baby shower? Even when Bondita was the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar's house, did it erase their blood relationship and grow into merely their class division? Her mother-in-law lowered her voice when she said, “Even if you invite her, she will not come. They are our God, have you ever heard that God comes down to earth to the house of the poor, my child?” However, Uma Thakuma’s tone was different when she saw Bondita, the daughter-in-law of the Zamindars. &qu

Tulsipurer Kotha

তুলসীপুরের কথা দেশ যখন স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামের আগুনে জলছে, একদিকে চলছে যুগান্তর দলের একের পর এক আক্রমণ ইংরেজ সরকারের দফতরে, কোষাগারে, কিংবা নিশানা হচ্ছেন বড় বড় সরকারী কর্মচারী, দিনাজপুরের এক কোণের ছোট্ট গ্রাম তুলসীপুর তার থেকে বাদ যায় কি করে? স্বদেশী আন্দোলনে দলে দলে ছেলেমেয়েরা যোগ দিচ্ছে কংগ্রেস কিংবা বেঙ্গল ভলেনটিয়ার্সে। জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরীর বয়েস এখন পঞ্চাশ ছুঁই ছুঁই। বিয়ে তিনি করেননি। প্রপিতামহের জমিদারি তিনি সামলান। মানুষ করেছেন মাতৃহীন তিন ভ্রাতুসপুত্রদের এবং ইংরেজদের রায় বাহাদুরী খেতাবের লোভে দেশ বেচতে নারাজ তিনি। তার জন্য নিয়মিত ঝক্কি পোয়াতে হয় তাকে। এই যেমন শীতের শেষের দিক এখন। সকালের চাটায় সবে চুমুক দিতে যাবেন এমন সময়ে পুরোনো চাকর বিহারী এসে জানায় বালুরঘাট থানার পুলিশ এসেছে দেখা করতে। আর এক পেয়ালা চা আনতে পাঠিয়ে সোজা হয়ে বসেন জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরী। ডাক পরে তার ইংরিজি বলা, সাহেবদের সাথে ওঠাবসা করা ছোট ভাইয়ের।দুই ভাইয়ের এই একটি বিষয় ঘরতর অমিল। বিনয় রায় চৌধুরীর সাথে তার বড় ছেলের চেহারার অনেক মিল, ছেলের চল্লিশে পা পড়লে হয়তো এমনই চেহারা হবে তার। সাহেব পুলিশ এসে দাড়াল জমিদ

Kolkata'r Meye

কলকাতার মেয়ে সৌদামিনী স্কটিশ চার্চ কলেজে পড়া ছাত্রী । তার বয়েস হবে বাইশ, কিন্তু আজকালকার হালফ্যাসনের সাথে মানিয়ে চলতে এখনও বিয়ের কথা হয়ে ওঠেনি তার। তার ছোটবেলা কাটে তুলসীপুরে, রায় চৌধুরীদের বাড়ির পাশে তাদের বাগান বাড়িতে। মা গত হয়েছিলেন তার জন্মের সময় তাই হয়তো রায় চৌধুরী গিন্নির যখন একই পরিণাম ঘটলো, সৌদামিনী বন্ধুত্বের হাত বাড়িয়ে দেয় প্রায়ে সমোবয়েসি সোমনাথের দিকে। রায় চৌধুরীদের সাথে ঘনিষ্ঠতা বারে ভৌমিক বাড়ির আর সেই সূত্রেই পিতারা একমত হন এক প্রস্তাবে, বড় ছেলে অনিরুদ্ধ বিলেত থেকে এলে সেবাড়ির বউ হবে সে। তখন তার বয়েস চোদ্দ। নিজেকে অনিরুদ্ধের যোগ্য করে তুলতে চায় সৌদামিনী। বাবাকে বলে তুলসীপুর থেকে, বালুরঘাটের ইসস্কুলে নাম লিখিয়ে হবেনা তার বিদ্যাচর্চা। তুলসীপুর ছেড়ে তারা চলে আসে কলকাতা। এবং কলকাতা এসে থেকে অনিরুদ্ধের সাথে শুধুমাত্র পত্র সুত্রে কথা হয় তার। সে বোঝেনা হঠাৎ কেন কিছু বছর পর, অনিরুদ্ধ চিঠিতে ভালোবাসার ইঙ্গিত দেয়। কতটাই বা চেনে ওরা একে অপরকে? অনিরুদ্ধ তো আর পাঁচটা গ্রামের ছেলের মতন সহজ সরল না। সে কি করে ভুল বুঝতে পারে ভালোবাসার অনুভূতিকে? নাকি সৌদামিনী বোকা, বোঝেনা কিছু? সৌদামিনী

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing Chotima?" A disappointed voice came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

Tiny Steps

" Akhiyan Hari Darshan Ko Pyasi. Akhiyaan Hari Darshan ko Pyaasi. Dekhio Chahat Komal Nayan Ko, Nisdina rehta udaasi. " Pratap's eyebrows narrowed before he slowly opened his eyes. He seemed to have fallen asleep lost in his thoughts. When; he couldn't tell. Today, for the first time he had missed the first rays of the sun. He sat up as the light of the morning sun fell into the room from the eastern window a little to the left of the bed. " Kesar tilak motin ki Maala, vrindavan ke vaasi." Pratap had heard this song too many times from Ranima. But the voice was not Ranima's. He immediately looked to his left at the empty place separated by the pillows as realisation dawned. He quickly removed the pillows from in between and placed them back before making his way towards the song. " Neh lagaye tyag gayen trin sam dhal gaye gal faasi. " He stopped to spot the figure at the far end of the room. Her back was to him, she was still in the simple je

New Dawns

Ajabde entered Jaivanta Bai's puja Ghar to push through the crowd and reach the front. Standing beside Ranima she prayed. Eyes closed. Hands folded. Please protect Kunwarsa Kanha Ji. I won't ask for Bijolia's protection because I know, that once he is safe, so will Bijolia. She calmed her racing heart and her worries, to stand by Padmavati. With her impending wedding she was the most vulnerable now, Ajabde thought. Rana ji walked in for the aarti from Ranima as Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti followed. His eyes searched the crowd of hidden faces and found hers. How? She couldn't tell. But she felt good that he could find her. He stared at her, his eyes full of worry as she nodded with a reassuring smile he could make out, beneath the semi-transparent veil. He knew she was just trying to reassure him when she needed the same. He looked away as fear crept in. Kunwar Pratap Singh was never in turmoil going to war, he had always looked forward to it, facing his enemies, a

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