INNER VOICE - SEASON - 2 STORY #2 - 'RELATION'

TITLE CREDIT - ITISHA

“RELATION”

TWENTY FIVE YEARS BACK!

It was the coldest day. Winters ruled the city. Amid all the chaos outside, a car was roaming on the clear road tearing the layers of fog that was settled in the air. The bright headlights of the car made sure that, the one driving the car could see through the thick fog. A man wearing a leather brown hat, white cotton shirt and a brown journalist jacket over it was busy driving the car and humming a Mohd. Rafi song that played in the car, “Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chalata gaya, har fikr ko dhuwe main udata chala gaya” He was just 40 years , but his thick moustache and dense beard made him look like a more matured and more than his age. His car had his ID placed on the dashboard of the car, just near the Ganesha idol that was planted on the same desk. The id had his name on it – “SATYA” – Sr. Research Analyst.

He was busy humming a song, when suddenly he saw a spark of light approaching his car from behind. The fog was thick, and so he couldn’t make out what vehicle was coming from behind. In a while, he could see a car like figure chasing his car. The rear view of side mirror of his car made clear that the other vehicle was approaching in speed. His left hand moved towards the volume button to lower it down in the meantime his left toe pressed a little clutch that lay beneath it and just before he applied the car brake, he shifted his gaze from the side mirror to the head mirror of the car and simultaneously his left hand changed the gear from 3 to 2 as the car slowed down a bit.

By now, the car, with a maximum speed by passed his car and skids in front of his eyes at a distance. In a reflex, he applies the brakes hurriedly and his car comes to a halt. With an amazed expression, he watches the car skidding ahead in speed and hits a tree. It was a major accident that he just witnessed. He was in a shock! But what happened the next moment was even much scary.

Two boys came out of the car. They struggled to walk straight, it seemed they were drunk. They opened the car’s dickey and pulled off a girl forcibly out of it. The girl’s hands were tied up with a cloth. A cloth was tucked in her mouth. She was crying. She looked helpless. She looked miserably in pain. The two boys placed her on the road, abused her, looked here and there and got inside the car leaving her as on the road.

Satya was completely shocked to watch all this from a distance. He picked up his mobile. Switched the engine of the car off and got off the car swiftly. It was chilled outside. He locked the car and crossed the road. He could see the girl struggling on the road. As he moved a little near, he was frozen. The girl had a severe head injury. Slowly as his gaze went down near her hands, he was shattered to see that the girl lying in front of him crying, and begging to him – was pregnant. Looking at the size of her swollen stomach, he could immediately sense that she was in her last trimester of her pregnancy term. He was completely lost for a moment, when he heard the broken cry from the girl lying on the road. 

Without wasting any further time, he bent forward and took off the cloth tucked in her mouth. As the cloth came out, the cry was audible louder now. Satya shivered. He could just imagine what this girl must be going through. He leant a little and tried opening the knot of the dupatta that was tied around her wrist. There was a sweat around his forehead; he could no more sense the chilly breeze around him. As he untied the entangled the knot, he could see the brutal marks imprinted around the slender wrists. There were dark maroon patches around her fair wrists. The girl had a sigh of relief, but the tears still kept flowing from her eyes. She struggled to bring both her hands together and begged before him. Satya looked at her in mercy and held her begging hands with his one hand, while his other hand was busy dialling a number. And just in a few minutes, there was sound of an alarming ambulance approaching them.

The ambulance halted at a close by hospital and the patient is taken on a stretcher straight to the operation theatre. The girl looked at him with hope as she was taken to the operation theatre. As the stretcher progressed through the hospital ward area towards the operation theatre, Satya, who was running along the stretcher, just prayed to God that everything be fine with the girl. As the operation theatre was seen clearly, the ward boy asked Satya to wait outside. The stretcher moves inside. The door closes and the red light just above the door where O.T. was written – was glowing.

Satya was standing opposite the O.T. shattered. There were so many thoughts coming up in his mind at that moment – as if the whole scenario just floated again in front of her eyes. He was returning from a party. He was happy. The next day it was Sanjeevini’s birthday. Sanjeevini was his childhood friend whom he loved the most. They planned to celebrate her birthday the next day and get married in the coming months.

Soon the happy images were now replaced by the cruel images. The entire picture of what happened in front of him on the road side started to play. He was lost in trauma, when he heard someone calling for him, sir...sirr....sirrr... this time a tap on his shoulder and his trance was broken. It was a ward boy. “Sir aap Dr. Shashank ko ek baar mil lijiye please” he said pointing out at the doctor’s cabin. Satya nodded and walked towards the cabin. He enters the doctor’s cabin. The silence there was scary. Satya was emotionless for a moment. The doctor looked at him and gestured him to take a seat in front of him. Satya sits. His legs nervously tapped the floor. He looked tensed and stressed both at the same time. Tiny sweat bubbles arose on his forehead.

Dr. Shashank places a formality form in front of him, misunderstanding him to be the patient’s relative. Handing over a pen to Satya, he said, “Sir her condition is too critical, we need to operate her immediately, a lot of blood has been oozed already, I am scared if we have to choose between anyone of the two – so there is hardly any time left, please hurry up!

“Please save the child – doc!” .... came the answer spontaneously. Satya still didn’t have any clue why did he say so in the first place – but it seemed that this was destined too!

After a few nervous moments sitting and looking into void, Satya’s silence was broken. His phone vibrated. It was Sanjeevani’s call. He rubbed his eyes, cleared his throat and was about to pick up the call, when a nurse came around and said “sirrrr... Dr. Shashank is waiting for you in his cabin.

Satya stands up from the chair he was sitting on, looks at the vibrating phone and keeps it in his front pocket without answering and moves towards the doctor’s cabin. He enters into the cabin. This time it was not silent... the room was filled with a cute cry of a little baby. The baby was wrapped up neatly in a clean towel. Dr. Shashank handed the newly born baby to Satya.

For a moment Satya was speechless, the small eyes of the baby were still closed; the skin was so soft and delicate that the blood vessels were clearly seen as the baby cried loudly. As the baby cried, his small arms waved in the air and the tiny fingers that formed a fist as it fastened in reflex.

“Congratulations! Beti huyi hain apko; lekin I am sorry – hum apki wife ko bacha nahi paaye!” Before Satya could respond to this, the baby’s tiny fingers caught hold of his shirt button. This was the moment that melted Satya deeply. Tears came out of his eyes as he saw that innocent baby clinching his tiny fingers to find the secured touch and a warm hug.  He took the little baby closer and hugged her tight in his arms. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he kissed on the baby’s forehead. It was truly an emotional sight to watch.

“Doctor!” he said. I would like to see the baby’s mother. Dr. Shashank nods and indicates the sister to take him to the ward where she was shifted to after the operation. Satya walks inside the ward, with the baby in his arms. The girl, whom he brought from the road, lay in front of him motionless, wrapped up in a white bed sheet of the hospital. He felt helpless and disheartened. He cursed the fate to be so cruel with these two unknown strangers – whom he didn’t know till date, but the destiny chose him to save one of these two less fortunate souls. He moved a bit backwards and looked at the sister – indicating her to start the formalities of discharge soon. As he was about to leave the ward room, the sister came near him with a gold chain in her hand. “Sir, ye patient ke gale main tha when she was brought to the hospital, now this is your responsibility” she says and hands over the gold chain to Satya. Satya extends his one hand and looks at the chain. It had a golden pendent in it. There was a name written on that pendent. “Mitali” was embossed in a cursive Lippi.

Satya moved out of the ward holding the baby in his arms. He comes of the hospital and looks at the baby, who had fallen asleep by now. He looked at her, takes her tiny hand in his and plants a kiss on her wrist and whispers slowly in her ears, “Beta aapka naam apki mumma ne “Mitali” rakha hain...pata hain apko!” and he kisses her.

The next day Satya calls up Sanjeevani and narrates everything that had happened. She understands the situation but she is helpless; Satya was asked to make a choice between her and the baby. Destiny tossed its coin again and this time Satya was too sure – he chose Mitali in his life.

Years passed. Satya enjoyed each and every moment of little Mitali over the years as she grew up. Her first school, her first degree, her first judo completion, her first job and her first encounter towards being a woman from a girl – in all these transformations, Satya stood by her like a strong pillar, a friend, a mentor, a guide and probably everything; it’s not easy for a male to play the role of a versatile mother – but he had mastered himself in the skill of motherhood too!

Mitali was a bright student throughout. Very confident and bold and goes without saying – that she was an independent lady. She was very much fond of Satya and his research projects. As a child she loved travelling to various places with Satya for his research projects. Now that she has just been graduated and got her job, it’s now time for a father like figure to be her best friend. There was a cute bonding between the two. They cherished each other’s company that they didn’t need any other people around. As she grew up, she made a few good friends too, whom she considered as her cousins and close buddies.

One day Mitali came with news – important news of her life. She loved a boy in her office. The moment she accepted his proposal of marriage, she asked him to come and meet Satya – her everything. She used to call him “Sattu” pyaar se.

Satya was happy to know about the boy in her life. Mitali was very focused in her life, she will choose wise for herself- he knew in the heart of heart; hence he accepted their relationship. But suddenly that day a father was shaken – till now – there was just one man in her life but now there will be two; priorities change in every woman’s life the moment she lets a man in her life for the lifetime as her soul mate. But this time Satya was happy to accept the fate and destiny with a smiling face. But somehow he was a bit hesitant to face the situation when Mitali would walk away from his house with the man of her choice. He was shattered and hence decided not to attend her wedding. So he decided to let his neighbours perform all the rituals and ceremonies of her marriage and he would stay away from the marriage.

Present Day!

It was Mitali’s wedding today. The house was decorated with fresh lily flowers. A huge shamiana stood ahead of the gate. Small candles were placed across the pathway of the staircase. ‘Gende ke phool’ looked too beautiful on the white marble flooring in form of a floral rangoli. Mitali loved the floral rangolis. The entire arrangements were made especially for her by Satya.

Mitali enters the living room, takes her phone, places on her ear and is busy instructing someone over call, “see I am not gonna marry without you... so now I leave it to you, if you want to see me happily getting married, you have to come.” and she disconnects the call angrily. Dekho main kuch nahi jaanti, tumhe aana hi hoga mujhse milne. Koi aur mujhe dulhan bana dekhe, isse pehle main chahti hu kit um mujhe dulhan bana dekho bas! Yeh zidd hain meri! And she disconnects the call.

And then looks for Satya in the entire house – but Satya was not found. Later, as she enters the open area where the shamiana was planted, she found a havan kund where the panditji was busy chanting the marriage shlokas and the couple who was sitting across the havan kund was Mrs and Mr. Gupta – her neighbours. They look at her and points out at her to come and join her in the vidhi, but she angrily walked in her room without saying a word.

The very next moment there is a knock on the door! Someone from her cousin screamed, “Yaar Mitali, tera dulha toh bada hot lag raha hain aaj, chal ek nazar bahar aakar dekh toh le usse!”

Mitali was in no mood to respond, she walks towards the closed door and replies in anger, “Tum log jaao, main nahi aaungi bahar”

She leans on the door frozen. Tears cornered her eyes, but she was reluctant to cry, as she knew that he doesn’t like tears in her eyes. She was about to move away from the door, when suddenly there was a 2^nd knock on the door!

A familiar male voice came from the other end! “Iss darwaje ki ek chabbi mere pass bhi hain, shayad tum bhul gayi ho”

Finally, she opens the door – It was Satya who was standing at the door. He wore a white sherwani gifted by Mitali to him. She rushes towards him and hugs him. Thank you Sattu! she says and hugs him tight. Mujhe toh aana hi tha – “meri beti ki zidd puri jo karni thi; looking beautiful my princess! He said planting a kiss on her forehead. 

They both then walk towards the shamiana where her better half was waiting for her to take vows of marriage!

“And this is how, every girl looks upon her father as her BEST man of her life, the relation of a father and a daughter is indeed the best one”

INNER VOICE - SEASON - 2 STORY#1 - 'BACHCHE'

TITLE CREDIT - JJ

“BACHCHE”

So, you think that all our past alumni students will join on the 16^th December, just for a reunion; it’s been 10 years, everybody is busy now days in their respective worlds, a trailing voice was heard from the other side of the phone. Everyone shall be present aaji Saheb (grandmother), be rest assured. “Main sab bandaro ko har ped se pakad kar lekar aunga don’t worry, akhir Shashtri sir sahi kehte the, main madaari hu” and they both laughed. The tensed atmosphere became light. I have talked to everyone and they have confirmed, assured Kabir. ‘Bas aaji apni make-up artist Monika nahi aa payegi us din, usdin shaadi hain uski, so woh khud ka make up karne main busy rahegi...’ Aaji laughed shyly and hung the phone.

Kabir Mehta (Batch – 2007) was the favourite ‘natkhat’  bachcha of the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan. Shashtri sir used to love him for his sense of humour and instant improvisations on the stage. He was excellent actor for comic roles, but the tragic part of his student life was, that Shashtri sir never offered him any comical role to play. Sir always said, “Jo aata hain, bas wohi karte rahoge, toh naya kab sikhoge, ek chiz main mastery beshak rakho lekin baaki sab chizo ki bhi jaankari rakho, tabhi aap ek all rounder performer banoge”  He truly believed in what he said, and this is how all his students learnt not only the acting, but also the other major parts of dramatics – that is direction, writing, make-up, handling lighting on stage, handling music, backstage management, costume designing, set designing, camera recording, anchoring and what not. This philosophy of his life was very motivating and kept us on our toes even today!

Yes, that was Late Dr. Divakar Shashtri - a strict and disciplined teacher, a courageous orator and an independent personality who led his life setting examples for all his students. He was a man of his principles and always spoke truth. He was a well-known name in the field of theatre and performing arts.

But above all these accolades, he was a very loving and caring teacher. He was like a father to all of us. He loved all his students as his own children. He never had any children of his own, but he used to profoundly say, “mere students hi mere bachche hain, mera guroor hain”. He was indeed a best teacher, a mentor, a guide and a best friend to his every student.

Everyone was set to arrive on the decided date that is 16^th Dec. But Kabir Mehta and Keshav Adhikaari (Batch – 2001) that is me, we have decided to turn up two days ahead just to make the necessary arrangements for a smooth event. Keshav gets a call from Jazz (Batch – 2009). Jazz was the one who played ‘Naarada’s role’ in one of the most prominent plays during his batch time.

Jazz – “Haan Keshav dada, aapse ek jaruri baat karni thi”.

Keshav – “Aree Jagjit.. “Narayan! Narayan” kaise ho? Dekho Naarad ji, ab baatein toh hongi hi na jagjit...once you reach here, now let me get back to arrangements, aap sabka swaagat bhi toh karna hain buddy!”

Jazz – “Offo! Dada – Jagjit is too old fashioned – “call me Jazz na...”(childishly he requested)

Keshav – Hmmm...Jag...mera matlab hain Jazz, see you tomorrow, Jazz interrupted and said, “apko Kabir bhaiyaa ne mail bheja tha kya?”

Keshav – Mail? Kaisa mail?

Jazz – Wohi toh dada, yeh Kabir bhaiyya dikhte hain utne simple nahi hain, kuch toh chal raha hain unke dimaag main, I am telling you, dada – something is fishy! Jazz said in one go.

Keshav – Dekho Jagjit, I mean Jazz (correcting himself he said), I think the problem with you is that, you have started treating the people of your real life as if they are your routine detective story characters, mockingly he commented.

In addition, he said, well, I know Kabir since last 10 years, ‘inch bhar bhi woh nahi badla hain, haan bas thoda sa health conscious zarur hogaya hain pehle se woh, baki waisa hain, ‘apna ziddi Ashwatthama! ‘Ashwatthama’ was a famous character that Kabir played on stage in one of the inter-state competition). He was offered this role by Shashtri Sir as a challenge. And none other than Shashtri sir himself directed this play then. Kabir not only played this role but also won the competition and since then, he was fondly called as ‘Ziddi Ashwatthama’ by his class mates’.

Jazz – “Haan dada, (again cutting Keshav, Jazz speaks), abhi tak woh uss character main se bahar nahi ayaa hain.” Ab aap hi bataao kya zarurat thi unhe Maj. Rao ko bulane ki? Unka kya kaam iss reunion main? Dada, “ek baat aap samjho, agar Dronacharya ji ne Arjun ko apna chahita shishya naa banaya hota, toh Ashwatthama ko Kauravo se dosti kyu karni padti bhala? Isshara samajh rahe ho bhaiyya aap?”

Keshav – “Laughs...tu bhi naa Jazz..abhi tak apne character main hi hain, dekho kaise baatein idhar se udhar kar rahe ho! chal abhi rakh phone”, a lot of work needs to be done the event is just one day away (disconnects the call).

Kabir is busy on a call, when Keshav sees a taxi being stopped at the gate of Vidyamandir. Aaji steps out of the taxi. Keshav walks towards the gate, makes the payment, bends and touches aaji’s feet and hugs her. Aaji hugs him warmly and says, “aree mera sabse honhaar bachcha”  mera “Dharmaraj Yudhishtir” and plants a gentle kiss on his palm. Both of them walk inside, “mera shaitan bachcha kaha hain?” she looks at Keshav and inquires about Kabir. Keshav points out at Kabir, who is still talking with someone over call. Keshav calls Kabir and indicates about the arrival of aaji. Kabir moves a little away from the vision of both of them, as if something talking something secretly with someone. For the first time, Keshav experiences such annoying gesture from Kabir, but he nods his head in a ‘no’ and moves towards aaji with a glass of water. After a while, Kabir comes running to aaji and hugs her tight and kisses her forehead. As usual the ‘natkhat bachcha’- the most mischievous child of the institute forgets everything for a while and starts a never ending conversation about with his guru ma – aaji.

Keshav looks their conversation from a distant and smiles. He then takes a few steps towards the passage that connects to the main auditorium. The wooden staircase leads him towards the passage area where a big wooden board is planted on the main wall – it’s called the ‘Hall of Fame’ – wherein the list of student names who have topped from the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan has been embossed in bold fonts along with their respective batch year. Keshav Adhikaari is a tall man – so his fingers could reach to the topmost name – ‘Keshav Adhikari’ (Batch – 2001) that was embossed in the first row. He touched each alphabet of his name slowly and was lost in the memory lane. He remembers, his first role – ‘Dharamraj Yudhistir’ the role that matched with his own personality. 

He remembered the first day of his college and then the day when he specially came to meet Shashtri sir in the year 2017, when Shashtri sir had addressed in an international theatre festival about his journey. He still remembers how Shashtri sir took interest in making the Hall of Fame board, just to see it during his last days. Tears rolled down his cheeks when he remembered the last words of Shashtri sir – ‘Keshava’ promise me that you would always visit this place with all my other 7 bachchas at least once in a year to meet me here at this place – he said pointing at the vacant auditorium then. Keshav got completely emotional while remembering his last meeting with Shashtri sir. ‘Keshav’ was the most obedient and most talented student of the entire department, and he was too close to Shashtri sir, as he was the student from the first batch. Shashtri sir used to call him – “mera bada beta” in front of all his students. A confident smile floated on his face as he remembered those words. 

His eyeballs moved to the 2^nd name in the list – ‘Kavery Krishnan’ (Batch – 2003) – A girl who came from a conservative south Indian family, who had oiled hair and a little dark complexion, she was very shy initially, but later she went on to become the most confident student. Shashtri sir offered her the role of ‘Draupadi’ – a role exactly opposite to her nature. And she nailed it! Brilliantly she portrayed the character and won the trophy at the National level, and made the entire department proud. 

Keshav scrolls down his gaze further – the third name in the list was – Noori Ahmed (Batch – 2005). The girl who was born and brought up at an orphanage, the owner of that orphanage brought her here so that she could be trained in dance and acting. Shashtri sir thought she would justify the character of ‘Meera’ and yes, he was true - the benchmark she set as ‘Meera’ was so high that her act mesmerised one of the owners of a leading production houses from Mumbai, and this is how she got her first chance to work as a female lead for their new film. Keshav feels the thrill in his spine as he remembers ‘Meera’. 

The next name on the list was ‘Kabir Mehta’ (Batch – 2007). Keshav moves his fingers on this name and takes a deep breath when suddenly; Kabir’s loud voice falls on his ears and breaks his memory trance. He looks around in the direction from where the voice was coming. He takes a few steps towards a corner of the passage – Kabir was instructing someone. “Tumhe alag se batana padega, kal samjhaya tha na tumhe, kisiko kaano kaan khabar nahi honi chahiye, tumhe tumhara hissa mil jayega aadinath!” Keshav frozed in his place when he ovderheard the name - ‘Aadinath’.  He remembered that once Shashtri sir had mentioned in his personal conversation, about ‘Aadinath’. He was Shashtri sir’s nephew, his brother’s son. Who never loved his uncle and was always after his property and this institute. Keshav nodded his head in a no. He can’t believe his ears, it was ‘Kabir’ who was talking to ‘Aadinath’ and the most disheartening part was to learn about the ‘Hissa’ – what was it all about? 

I must go and talk regarding this with Kabir as soon as possible (he thought to himself). As he progressed ahead towards the auditorium – a few more voices fell on his ears of which the first voice was a familiar one, it was Jazz – who was standing near the door of the auditorium. He was wearing a half pant and a white shirt half tucked. He was wearing a black leather jacket that was gifted by Shashtri sir to him as a token of appreciation when he played the role of ‘Shakuni’.  Jazzz... he whispered, when suddenly Jazz turned around and with a broad smile came running to Keshav and hugged him. Dada!!! He said with joy. Good to see you jagjit...oop! Jazz... he said correcting instantly, and they both started laughing aloud. By the way – Jazz is now a well-known writer. He runs his own show that features the thrilling mysteries and detective stories. 

They both sat on the chairs that faced the stage of the auditorium when suddenly a focus light fell on the main stage. Both of them looked up! A boy wearing denim jeans with a red t-shirt and a hat stood leaning on the wall. “Dada lighting theeka che?” he inquired waving at Keshav. “Hein...daarun!” came the reply from Keshav. The boy in the red t-shirt jumped and hurriedly ran towards Keshav and hugged him and Jazz one by one. 

He was ‘Raghav Banerjee’ (Batch – 2013). Proud of you young man, Jazz said patting on his shoulder. Suna hain tum sabse bada light man bangaya hain – “Sabko ujjala dete firte ho!”  I mean you run a famous company that produces the flood lights for the stadiums, not bad haan! He played the role of ‘Karna’ aur aaj tak usko puri batch – Surya putra ke naam se address karti hain. That’s indeed an achievement.  

As the three walked towards the front row of the auditorium, they heard a tapping sound of high heels that grew loud as if someone is walking towards them. Soon they saw a slim and trip girl who appeared from the right wing of the stage. She was holding a script in her hand. Instantly as she looked up, the spot light fell on her finely highlighted red coloured hair flicks, she had a pierced eyebrow too. She was wearing a micro skirt with an off shoulder black crop top. Her face glowed and made a golden outline near her ears, where the silver danglers were glittering and suspended on her bare shoulder surface. She wore a dark maroon lipstick, a proper blend of make-up and eye shadow that complimented her clothes and hair colour talked more about her personality. She was none other than ‘Ananya Gujral’ (Batch – 2015). The last and the latest of the 8 bachcha log that Shashtri sir had. She was an excellent anchor. It came naturally to her from her parents who are both national journalists. She never had stage fear. She was a fighter. Shashtri sir was proud of her. Once during her college days, she played the role of a ‘seeta’ she was so convincing in her character that each one of us used to forget who she really was? 

The image of a modern girl and a fashion model used to be overshadowed with the simplicity and elegance of the character she portrayed. Such was her grace and beauty when she performed. “Keshav dada” she addressed and moved towards Keshav. Keshav hugged her and soon all of them start walking towards the passage area. While Keshav and Ananya walked ahead, Jazz and Raghav followed them. Jazz was awestruck and mesmerised with her beauty when, suddenly Raghav puts his hand around Jazz’s shoulder and mockingly commented – “rehne do Jazz – tum nahi sambhal paoge issko! And with this, both of them laughed aloud.  

All four of them cross the area where the hall of fame board was placed. Keshav glances at the board and the name that he see is ‘Kabir Mehta’ (Batch – 2007) – he instantly remembers about ‘Aadinath’... Keshav now is looking around for Kabir, but Kabir is seen nowhere. He asks Ananya, Jazz and Raghav to walk towards the kitchen area to meet aaji and he walks towards the gate #2 of the institute. 

'The 2^nd gate was a new gate made recently two years ago. This gate allowed the actors to directly walk towards the green room after their performances, just to avoid the unnecessary crowding of the audience that followed them after their performances. Kabir was standing there talking to someone. His angry gestures were so visible and loud that forced Keshav to re-think about the advice given by Jazz to him a day before. Kabir looked tensed and restless from a distance. Keshav thought not to discuss anything and wait for the next day when the reunion was organised.

16^th Dec, 2019 – the day arrives!

The entire institute was illuminated with lights as if it was Diwali. The gates and the wooden furniture was decorated with yellow ‘gende ke phool’.  The entire institute was decorated as if it was some festival or a grand carnival that was happening. The stage was properly set with a podium on its extreme right wing. Five chairs were properly placed in the centre of the stage. On the other side, a lamp with the wicks was properly placed and nearby ‘maa saraswati’s’ idol was placed with a floral garland suspended over it.  Another light was illuminated from the centre stage from beneath the stage – it exactly fell on the banner that was pinned properly in the centre of the large curtain. Just near to the last chair, a wooden table was placed on which a photo frame of Shashtri sir was placed with a fresh floral garland resting over its edges. Just adjacent to the stage was a music system box that had the audio speakers connected. Saraswati vandana and Vishnu sahasranaamavali chants were audible at a very lower volume. The dim lights looked beautiful when it fell on the smoke that rose from incense sticks that are now ignited. The entire atmosphere was pleasant and soothing. Keshav looked at the auditorium. The audience started walking in. Students from various batches started flooding inside the auditorium and within 15 mins the entire auditorium was houseful. The front rows had all the dignitaries and legendary teachers and a few close friends of Shashtri sir. After a while the programme started with the felicitation of Aaji Saheb (Shashtri sir’s mother) and light lamping ritual. Ananya entered the stage confidently and set the show started by her welcome speech in a most stunning way.

Just when the programme was about to begin with a Ganesh Vandana by a few small children, Kabir entered the stage and walked towards the podium. Everyone was surprised at this interruption. The next few moments were very disturbing for all of us. Kabir started talking. “I welcome you all on behalf of the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan on its successful completion of 10 years” after a brief pause he says, this programme is not a reunion actually! The moment he announced this, everyone around started murmuring. What is happening here? As I was above to move a little near the podium, he looked at me and continued speaking holding the mic. He said, “TODAY WE ALL ARE GATHERED HERE ON THE OCCASION OF ‘NILAMMI’ (AUCTION)” – the auction of this institute. The very place that imparted training in theatre and drama, is now on a SALE – so I welcome you all to come forward and quote your prices. Keshav was broken. Everybody around looked shaken and disheartened. People started discussing amongst themselves. The entire auditorium was wrapped in an unusual silence.

Keshav looked angrily at Kabir. When suddenly a small light fell on the floor from a half opened door crevice. The door widened. A tall figure was seen standing blocking the light. The figure started walking towards the stage passing through the aisle seats of the auditorium. Everyone turned around to see who it was. Raghav quickly illuminated the spot light on the image that walked through the auditorium middle passage. As the light fell on the figure, everyone was frozen including me. Shashtri sir!!! The same white kurta pajama with a brown khadi waistcoat over it, and an orange Maratha sahi paghri. I could not believe my eyes! How can a dead man walk in alive? Silence was evident now in the entire auditorium. I was shocked and so was everyone around. I walked towards the man who looked alike Shashtri sir...in disbelief. I approached him. For a moment I lost all my senses and became blank. How is this possible? My heart skipped a heartbeat. As I was about to touch the hand of that man, he shifted his gaze at me and said, Keshava!!! How are you my boy?

I was frozen. Even the voice was same. But I couldn’t believe that moment and was still in a shock. I was so much disturbed at this incidence, that I couldn’t decide whether to cry or be happy. For a moment, darkness came in between my vision, I was about to fall, when suddenly a pair of hands held me tight and supported me.  I was breathing heavy. Tiny droplets of sweat popped up from my forehead, even the AC in the auditorium failed to keep my emotions at ease. I turned around to see who held me. Another shock! It was ‘Monika Seghal’ who was smiling at me. I uttered...Monn, monn, she interrupted me and said – yes dada – I am Monika Sehgal, Batch – 2011. Aree dada, wohi Monika who played ‘Shikhandini and Amba’ in our cultural event.

Keshav now stood looking at both, Monika and the person who dressed up like Shashtri sir. He was clueless. “Lekin aaj toh tumhari shaadi thi naa?” he inquired in disbelief.

“Yes dada”; came the answer from the podium. Kabir it was. He was miserably laughing holding his stomach. Suddenly everyone came around and surrounded me. Kabir stepped near me and couldn’t hold his laughter still. “Aree dada, aap bhi naa! “Sach main Bhole Bhaale Yudhishtir nikle!” Gaur se dekho – Monika apne dulhe ke saath hi aayi hai yaha!, he said pointing at the male standing in front of him dressed up as Shashri sir. Badi hi ziddi hain ye, she wants to have her marriage feras here in this auditorium itself, jaha se usne shuruvaat ki thi “Dada aap kaise dhoka khaa gaye pehchaan ne main inhe? He went near that person and pulled off his moustache. It was ‘Aadinath’ who stood there laughing holding his breath. Everyone laughed aloud holding their stomach. When aaji saheb walks near Keshav and clarifies, “Keshava – it was all Kabir’s idea! Finally uske comical improvisations kaam kargaye! After all his is known for his pranks and jokes. How come you failed to guess this. Woh sab to theek hain aaji, lekin iss Monika ka kya karu main? Keshav commented. She is still weak in one area! Monika comes around and asks in curiosity – which area dada? – “detailing beta detailing”.  He said pointing out at Aadinath – you have smartly done the make-up and made him look alike Shashtri sir – lekin mere bachche – you forgot to take a note of the important detail, that Shashtri sir had a black mole near the left earlobe and see what you have done?

Everyone looks at Aadinaath closely now.  A black mole was painted artificially near his right earlobe. Everyone present in the auditorium started laughing aloud. ‘Jhalli kahi ki!, screamed Kabir aloud.

After a brief break, once everyone was settled and the silence prevailed again within the auditorium, Keshav asked Kabir – “Tum, abhi do din pehle aadinaath se konse hisse ki baat kar rahe the Kabir” Aur ye Nilaami ki baat? Ye sab kyat ha? Aadinath comes near Keshav hugs him and confesses, dada I am so sorry, I had grudges for Shashtri uncle, but later I realised, I was wrong. Now I don’t have any grudges for him. You all are lucky to have him as your ‘guru’, I am so unlucky that I belong to his family and still I failed to understand him.

Kabir climbs up the stairs and walks towards the podium, holds the mic and speaks. “Dada Nilaami yeh hain – Kabir indicates Raghav to switch off all the lights of the auditorium and starts a short film as a documentary – called ‘NILAAMI’.  Everyone watches the documentary. In the last part of the documentary, there was brief coverage of Shashtri sir’s interview. Keshav watched attentively. Shashtri sir mentioned in that interview that it was his dream project to see all his 8 bachchas to perform live on his written script – ‘NILAAMI’ which he would like to direct.” As this message ended, everyone had tears in their eyes. It was a nostalgic moment for all of them. 

Kabir came near Keshav and hugged him. Dada, two days before – I was instructing or rather begging to Aadinaath to come to India and play this role – “aajke show main usko uska hissa dene ki baat bata raha tha main!” Because no one from us resembled so much like Shashri sir as he does, I had to convince Monika to join him too – as she was supposed to do the make-up and the entire transformation in his personality.

Keshav took a deep breath and opened his arms widely to embrace all these students. “Bachcho tum sab kyu khaas ho – ab samjh main aaya – aur ye madari toh jaadugar nikla” – he taunted looking at Kabir! Aaji saheb too smiled and nodded at Keshav.

Everyone was happy and finally the much awaited reunion happened in an interesting manner. The audience enjoyed the various performances and the evening was one of its kind – worth remembering for a lifetime!

A special surprise too was organised that evening – a dramatic monologue being presented by the two most talented actresses – Kaveri Krishnan and Noori Ahmed. Of course they joined late but they were family too were an inseparable part of this family – they too belong to the clan of ‘Shashtri sir ke bachche’

Present Day!

Everyone is back to work now. As promised to Shashtri sir, Keshav organises a get together with all these 8 bacchalog at least once in a year. Shashtri sir must be really proud of all his masterpiece and unique bachche.  And now each one of them continues to come and take a workshop and train the current batch students. They have made me – the general secretary of the students association and so I take keen interest in arranging for the students all the activities along with Aaji saheb and yes – with the blessings of our beloved father like figure – ours truly Shashtri sir!