Habib tanvir
Ramoo: Shut up! Don’t you dare sing seeties here! Chameli
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Ramoo: Shut up! Don’t you dare sing seeties here! Chameli: Hey, Kariman! You silly woman, why are you inviting trouble? Sing something decent, and leave the bloody seeties alone! Grocer: Ramu, why don’t you sing first? All: Yes, good idea! Come Ramu, you begin. Potter: (sings, playing the rhythm on a pitcher) Behold the splendour of my pots of clay! Like a bed of flowers on a sunny day, That freshen your heart and brighten the way. Useful for storing milk, curds and whey, By tapping on it like this you can play Any old rhythm, either sad or gay. Behold the splendour of my pots of clay! Tailor: Now, you sing something devotional. Kariman: As you wish, sir! Come, Chameli. Pick up the dholak25. The eunuchs sing. Milkmaids away, the little fellow had a field day. He stole into houses like a thief much skilled. Climbed on a cot and brought down the pot That with cream or butter was freshly filled. He ate some and wasted some, And some he simply spilled. Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Caught red-handed by a returning maid, He looked innocent and sweetly said: I wasn’t trying to steal from you! Believe you me, it’s really true! Shooing off flies, keeping out ants, Is all I was really trying to do! Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Women marched up to Jasoda, his mother: We’ve come about Kanha, none other! He breaks our pots, he calls us names. And when we catch him, it’s us he blames! Whatever he says whatever he claims, You have to stop his naughty games! Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Jasoda’s response was sharp and quick She turned to Krishna, picking up a stick Feigning innocence he pleaded his case: Mother, these charges are false and base. In spite of this, if you must insist Your punishment I am ready to face. Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Once caught by Jasoda with his mouth full of butter He widened his eyes and smiled at his mother She wasn’t amused and made him sit She opened his mouth and peered into it What she saw was a vision, a miracle to wit, It showed the whole universe brightly lit. Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Enter a constable. Seeing him, people melt away. Shopkeepers mind their shops. Constable: (goes to the Bookseller) Maulana, do you know what caused the rioting in this bazaar? Bookseller: (respectfully rising to his feet) Sir, my greetings to you. Constable saheb, rioting has now become a daily occurrence. Some incident or the other takes place every day in this town. There was a fight between some street vendors, that is all. Constable:I have received a report that there was rioting among the shopkeepers here. Bookseller: Sir, it was entirely the fault of a kakri seller. The poor shopkeepers were unnecessarily dragged into it. Constable: Anyway, it has been decided to levy a fine of one rupee on each shopkeeper. Bookseller: Kindly sit down. (Calling out to the paan seller) Hey, Munney Khan, will you please make one of your best paans for constable sahib. Sir, what do I have to do with fights and quarrels? As I have already submitted, it was a fight among the low-class street vendors. Constable: Yes, yes. They too shall be fined. Bookseller: Please do eat the paan. Constable: Some other time. (Moves away.) Bookseller: How very unfair! Tazkiranawis: What exactly happened here? Constable: (to the melon seller) Who was this kakri seller and where is he now? Melon seller: He must be somewhere around, master. Should be here any moment. It was he who started it all. Constable: Ok, ok! I know all that. All of you are to blame and all of you will be fined. Go to the police station and deposit the fine. Laddoo seller: Sir, why should we all have to suffer because of one man? He is the one who provoked us and started a fight for no reason at all. Constable: We shall soon find that out too. Investigation is on. Picks up a melon, tosses it to assess the weight, and carries it away with him. Laddoo Seller: Look at this cruel joke. We were just beginning to have some peace when this fellow marched in. Now, the innocent will have to suffer along with the guilty. Melon seller: Brother, it is our fate! We cannot escape it. Nazir’s grand daughter, a girl of 9 or 10years, enters singing to herself. Girl: Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! (On reaching the shop of the grocer) Uncle, grandpa has asked for mango pickles. Grocer: Where is Mian Nazir? Great injustice has been let loose upon the town. Tell him to write a poem on it. We are all being forced to pay a fine of one rupee. And for no fault of ours. Girl: Grandpa is with the Rai sahib. Grocer: Rai sahib must have persuaded him to stay for dinner. Girl: You know what! Rai sahib has got besan roti 26 made specially for grandpa. Grocer: I see! That’s what the pickles are for. Tell him to drop in for a while. (Giving her the pickles) Here. Girl: (Running off) Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days. So many tales of his naughty ways! Companion: Maulana, how would you rank Nazir as a poet? Tazkiranawis: (Browsing through a book) A very lively man—good natured, soft spoken, one who greets everyone with a smile, who does not hurt anybody. In other words, a man probably without a parallel anywhere in the world. But poetry? It is an entirely different kettle of fish. I never accept vulgarity, cheap nonsensical rhymes, and shoddy and common kind of humour as poetry. To regard Nazir as a poet will be a gross injustice both to him and to poetry. There is no room for him in the list of poets. The melon seller gets up and exits, still hawking. The girl returns. Girl: Fabulous were Krishna’s childhood days.... (To the grocer) Uncle, grandpa has sent the pickle back. Grocer: Why? Girl: (Repressing a laugh) Read this. (Hands him a paper) Grocer takes the letter from the girl and reads it silently. Peers into the container in which the pickle was packed and bursts into loud laughter. The girl runs away. Utensil seller: What’s the matter, Lalaji? Grocer: Listen to this. Mian Nazir has written a new poem. Again there is a market for rats these days! I too have prepared them in various ways! I chop, and I pound, and I mash three or four And make such a mix you’ll ask for more! My rat-pickle is the pride of any store!
Each frog I add is the size of a cat. Deliciously crisp and spicy and hot Judge for yourself how well they have rot! It’s price is rising, is sure to rise more My rat-pickle is the pride of any store! Laughs uncontrollably. Pulls out a dead rat from the container. Bloody rats! So fond of pickles! (Other shopkeepers laugh.) Poet: See? The level of Nazir’s poetic imagination! Bookseller: What is surprising is that Mian Nazir belongs to a respectable family. It’s a shame that his poems are being sung in streets and market places by illiterate and uncultured people. He must show some regard at least for his family’s reputation, if not for his own. Tazkiranawis: Sir, what shame or self-regard can you expect from a fellow whose entire life is spent in kite flying, in enjoying the pleasure of fairgrounds, in vagrancy and gambling! Poet: That’s right. Though, now, in his last years, he has started living a life of piety. Otherwise, it is said that in his youth he used to roam through the streets singing and visiting brothels in the company of other young men. He would play Holi with great fervour and participate in every ritual. Bookseller: Now, look at these mystical songs that the beggars sing in the street. Won’t it be a great injustice to the sublime art of poetry to dignify these songs as verse? It is evening time now. The courtesan’s chamber has started showing signs of activity. The rake enters from within, followed by Benazir. A couple of persons are already waiting in the room. Several more come in during the song. A fakir, with a long beard and dressed in a green kafni, enters. He is carrying burning incense in a plate with which he moves around the room to spread its smoke. Placing the plate on the floor, he sits down unobtrusively in one corner. Another man enters carrying garlands of fresh flowers on a short wooden stick. He goes around the room tying the garlands on the visitors’ wrists and receives baksheesh from them. Rake: My sweet rose, my beautiful fairy princess! Now that we know each other properly, how about singing something? Benazir: As you wish! What should I sing? Rake: Rarely does one come across such silvery loveliness. You are matchless in beauty. I am sure you are also matchless in the art of singing.27 Sing anything. How about something scintillating, something close to your own experience? New Guest: (entering) Greetings! Benazir: How are you?28 Guest: The other day, she asked me in the language of Punjab Tell me how you are these days. Has life been soft or hard? I stood there with folded hands, and said, why do you ask? There’s nothing hidden from you, you know it all sweetheart Benazir: (laughing) Alright, I will sing something of Nazir’s. You could regard it as my own experience and it won’t be altogether incorrect. (Sings.) Cruel, uncaring tormentor, playful and lively, Heart hard like stone, words so soft and sugary. Demeanor like a drawn bow, eyes glowing darkly, Heady cups of wine, bright in part and dark partly. Beguiling eyes, deceiving looks, her ample bosom is heavenly. An embroidery of jewels on that fair and delicate breast Flower bud, diamond-studded necklace, waistband, anklet Inflaming hearts with desire, inviting glances to trip The flat and silky belly, sparkling navel and chiseled hip. Her open flirtation, her frivolity, her coy modesty is heavenly.
Scolds, cajoles, and sulks, is playful by night, stern by day. That frivolity, that zest, forever present, forever at play Flirtatious, evasive, that gait seductive with its swings and sway. The teasing veil, the seductive display of body and face is heavenly.
Be grateful for the love she shows, unkindness without a murmur greet. She sets the heart aflame, another like her you will never meet If ever Nazir you find such a dear, curl around her like a sheet. The warmth of kisses, heat of embrace, meeting of bodies is heavenly.
“This fair visage, these long dark tresses.” Benazir: The gentleman seems to be a bird! Rake: (to Constable) Okay. Goodbye! Constable: Who cares about birds here? This place specializes in clipping wings. Goodbye! Benazir: Farewell. The constable goes downstairs. Rake: (turning towards the inner chamber) Strange creature! Benazir: Don’t you know? He is this town’s chief constable. You are incredible! Rake: He is the chief constable, so what? He can’t eat me up! Benazir: Alright, now come inside. Constable: (to the kakri seller in the market) Where were you till now? Kakri Seller: I was doing my rounds, master. Constable: You have all turned to lumpenism now. Kakri Seller: Sir, it was not my fault at all. It was the laddoo seller who tried to assault me. Constable: My men are investigating the cause of the quarrel. Meanwhile, go to the police station and deposit the fine. Kakri Seller: Constable, sir, I haven’t had any business since the morning. If I manage to sell kakri worth a chhadaam or two we shall have food, else it will be another day of fasting. Constable goes out Poet: How many copies should one print of the first edition? Bookseller: About five hundred. Poet: However, I have certain personal difficulties. So if I could get an advance of a few rupees that will free me from these problems. Bookseller: Oh, sir, don’t you know? These days the authors publish books at their own expense. There are three new texts—Karima, Ma-muqueema, and Aamadnaama 29--that I am keen to publish but am unable to do so for lack of money. Why don’t you do one thing? Chowdhary Ganga Prasad is your acquaintance as well as an admirer of your work. Why don’t you arrange to have the book published in partnership with him. Poet: Don’t you think it will be better if you talked to him yourself? He knows me and he won’t say no to you. And even if he refuses, the matter will be known only to the three of us. You can give me five rupees from whatever money you receive from him. Bookseller: The difficulty is that once when I asked him for money, he ignored my request. You will be approaching him for the first time and he will not say no to you. That is why I suggest that you mention your book to him. Ideally, if he agrees to lend you the money, you should let me have my share of it so that I could print your book as well as mine. My books are not likely to cost more than ten or twelve rupees Poet: Alright. Fakirs enter, singing. Fakirs: Money is what the rich desire, Money is what the poor require, Of power and glory money is the sire, It makes the world spin and go haywire.
The penniless have no value, no worth. Heaps of money makes one rise above all, Bestows greatness where none exists at all, Brings name and fame with many mansions tall, Without it life is nothing but struggle and fall. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. Money can make you tame a wild bear, Without it even a mouse fills you with fear, With money you’re “master,” and even “dear,” Without it, a leper who no one comes near. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. Wherever money sits and spreads its wings, It is visited by angels, heroes and kings, Beautiful damsels from far off it brings, And lissome fairies dancing in rings. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. It’s money leads to bloodshed and wars, Invents guns, daggers and scimitars, It peeps from soldier’s wounds and scars, And makes them die for medals and stars. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. Charity exists on the strength of money, Religion persists on the strength of money, Hell is shunned on the strength of money, Paradise earned on the strength of money. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. Money is the reason for name and fame, It leaves only credit, removes all blame, Controls all bodies and the souls they frame, It’s man’s god, his master, his guiding flame. To colour and beauty money gives birth, The penniless have no value, no worth. Kakri seller has entered during the song and listens to it with rapt attention. Kakri Seller: (with great wistfulness) Why won’t somebody write a poem on my kakris. (begins to leave but, suddenly struck by a thought, calls out to the fakirs) Shah sahib!30 (still calling, runs out through the right but comes back soon and runs out through the left) Shah sahib! Shah sahib! Fakirs re-enter, singing. Kakri seller enters calling out to them but they go out. Dejected, he sits down, holding his head in his hands. Fakirs’ song continues to be heard as the curtain comes down briskly. END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO Once again, the Fakirs enter through the auditorium singing and stand in front of the curtain which rises during the last stanza. Fakirs: Why do you wander restlessly, why this envy and greed, Death’ll follow wherever you go, a truth you better heed! All your wealth and possessions, your cattle of every breed, Those heaps of rice and lentils, every grain and every seed, As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you’ll need. Yes you are a big trader and your stakes are very high, But, beware, there is another, a bigger one, close by, All your sugar and saffron from lands far and nigh, Sweet condiments, hot spices that bring tears to the eye, As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you will need.
Your fabulous wealth and rosy health will also gather rust, And you will lie all alone in the wilderness of dust, Quite forsaken and forgotten by all you love and trust. As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you will need. Why crave for worldly goods, and pine for Midas’s touch? Where you are headed, silly man, you won’t need much, All this velvet, all this silk, and glittering brocaded stuff, Fancy saddles and gilded howdahs won’t add up to much. As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you will need. Your sole thought is of profit which makes you slog like mad, But don’t forget you are stalked by an enemy vicious and bad, None can help, neither family, nor friends, nor mom, nor dad, Nor prayer you made, charity you gave, nor succour to the sad. As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you will need.
Others will claim your worldly goods and everything that matters, You’ll be alone in a dark grave as your dust in the wind scatters, None will look in, no bird, no insect, nor the cricket which chatters. As you pack your bag to leave there’s nothing you will need.
Poet and Companion come to the Bookseller’s shop. Kakri Seller: Let them come. How does it matter to you? It won’t be such a bad thing if the bastards arrest me. One will at least get to eat. I starve the whole day and break my back in the bargain. Much better to sit in the lock-up, eat in comfort, and not have to worry. Let the jealous go green with envy! Bookseller: Didn’t Chowdhary Ganga Prasad sahib say anything else to you? Poet: He spoke obliquely. I realized that that was not an appropriate moment to talk to him. Bookseller: But he must have said something? Poet: I told you. The moment I mentioned you in connection with the publication of my collection, he interrupted me and said that he’d first like to clear certain old matters with you before considering any new book. Bookseller: Why did you mention me at all? Poet: What else could I do? Bookseller: Dear sir, I have been in his debt for a long time now. That is why I had asked you to talk to him about the book yourself. The Kite Seller enters carrying a caged parrot and humming, and goes on to open his shop. Kite Seller: (humming) The poor, the lowly, and persons of high degree, Everyone in Agra swims and swims wonderfully. Congratulations, Ramoo! I am told that you are the proud father of a son now and that there was much celebration here? Utensil Seller: Where had you disappeared, brother? Kite Seller: I had gone with Mian Nazir to witness the swimming fair. On return, I find that a fine has been imposed on the shop. This penalty was the last thing I needed. Utensil Seller: You should just tell them that your shop was closed. There are witnesses. I am willing to vouch for you. Yüklə 495,53 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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