For notes see kabi-2.notes.txt. Off-voice shown in (). Contextual comments in (()). Song lyrics shown like _lyrics_.
I won't. He abused me.
Well.
Where's wife for the whole day?
Neither in jhumur, nor came home!
Knew this is bound to happen.
Who's in room?
First tell me, who's outside?[01]
Oh - you!
Oh - you, come in, come in.
You here?
Where else to go?
After exit, wooers of the village Preyed on me like vultures.
Somehow fled to your room.
Close the door!
The outer door is closed.
They jump over the wall - move!
No, no, no light!
Fever - my eyes are sored. Even moonshine hurts.
Fever again?
Fever fell in my love, Visits everyday.
Oh - oh - tearing pain in head, Can you rub a bit?
If coal's black tinges the forehead?[02]
Black suits nice on shimul flower.[03]
No beauty, no fragrance.
Be careful when you touch - I'm full of pricking thorns.
I was unjust to call you shimul. How nice you dance.
Then what am I? Stabbing thorn?
That's the exterior.
Damn, speak plainly.
Let me ...
_What an error it was._ _What an error it was._
_Luring fragrance_ _Filling the breath, _
_Teeth of thorns guarding_ _The flower of keya._[04]
_Like the flower of keya._ _What an error it was._
Composed now?
Yes.
Write it down, for me. [05]
You'll sing my song?
In fairs, ports, courts, I'll sing it. And recall these caresses.
What fell?
Who that was?
You don't know her.
Oh - one woman knows another Pretty fast, kabial.
Oh god - oh!
You're in fever, lie down.
No.
Let me check - If Naran's friends Are still waiting.
Oh. We're going by the train at dawn.
Quite elegant it is! Meeting and Separating along the rail-tracks!
OK - bye.
Come.[06]
Oh - _What an error it was._
(Wife, wife.)
Wife, wife.[07]
Wife.
Rise. Tell me - what happened?
What else? Must be bad wind.
Sorcerer is on way - any moment now.
How many trees by the rail-track. All abode of ghosts.
Young woman passing them alone After dark - it's bound to happen.
Chamunda's palpit is near.[08] Told her repeatedly to go out in Tied hair - doesn't listen.
They move there in daytime too.
((Sorcerer chanting.))
Hail Mother, owner of all spirits, Suck the blood of the evil-doer.
Speak, speak. Who did the evil?
Saying ... saying.
Speak.
_What an error it was._ _What an error it was._
Deceiving me? I'll hit the last one.
Come, Mother. On your name, Mother Kamakshi.[09]
Speak out, speak, speak.
What are you doing? What?
Oh my mother.
Thakurjhi, sister.
What you did?
Did correctly. You run from here.
You did correctly? Do you know what happened?
No spirit did this. A human being did.
She is now mad. Singing. Crying.
You had so much greed and sin? So devilish you are, monster.
Do you realize?
Why not? You are destructing, Ruining the greatest thing in life.
You are all witches and demons.
She is ill. I'm going to the doctor.
But if anyone does anything to Her, I'll go to the police.
Rajan. Rajan hasn't returned yet?
Mashi is ill. Ma and Baba both went there.[10]
Thakurjhi is ill?
Yes, very ill.
Rajan, how's thakurjhi?
Why you kept me in dark, ustad?
What are you saying?
She had fits. Singing and crying At your name.
They think - bad winds.
A sorcerer is now beating her With a broom.
Why beating her?
Because he is a monster. We are all monsters.
I came for a doctor.
But, first you tell me this - You love thakurjhi, don't you?
You are my friend, you're kabial. Tell me the truth, brother![11]
I won't lie, Rajan. I love her. But -
But - what? Marry her. I'll break her marriage.
We are from different castes.
Caste? What is caste in love?
No, still no, Rajan.
Why not, ustad?
Can one break a home, brother? My pain will then strike Vrindaban.
Rajan, let her be happy. Let her forget me altogether.
God will make her happy. This time you all heal her up.
This money for thakurjhi's milk, Give this to the doctor, tell him To provide the best possible cure.
I'm going to the doctor. She is going to heal for sure.
But, It doesn't end here. I'll ask her, what SHE wants.
Then, else rests on Siyaram. And on your honor, ustad.
Come, didi, lie down.[12]
And, listen.
Summon for kabial? For once?
Where's he?
In his place, where else?
Oh - say that.
Going Chanditala for your medicine. Will bring back kabial, OK?
Shame Rajan, you mustn't say Things like that.
_Who fears blame_ _While seeing the moon._
Blame?
Then what, kabial?
_Moon, go on staying up there._ _I will just keep watching._
_Never want to touch you, moon._ _That will smear your golden face._
_So, I'm going some other land_ _Where I'll drift in darkness._
_Moon, you grow to your fullest,_ _And let your moonshine flood._
_I will just keep watching._
Nitai.
Who?
Coming from fair, brother.
You left your village.
Searched you the whole night, At last heard your song -
Why you're searching me?
You have to sing in our group, Ustad, in the fair.
Naran made a new group. Abuses Basan in every show.
None among us can give a retort.
Basan told mashi, Nitai ustad will Save us, if you can bring him.
Among those jhumur girls - You please don't mind - but ...
Ustad. Judging other people Blows out both song and love.
That's true.
Let's get the morning train, ustad. Why bother? How many days is life?
Let's go.
Mashi, see, whom I brought.
Got my son? Come, my son.
Basan, come and see who's here.
Who? At this morning hour?
Oh my god! Who's it!
_Saw the face at daybreak,_ _This will be a grand day._
Come here, my girl.
Ustad, allow me to change.
You saved me - filled water again In my porous pot.
I expelled Naran, that snake below keya tree.[13]
He is making my life hell. Today teach him a lesson.
Show him, you are my kalamanik, Not koilamanik any more.[14]
Come to my room.
Your hand shows fever.
It never remitted - that old fever.
Oh Nitai, you arrived much later Than me.
Saw you in Mahadev kabial's group?
In place of Mahadev, Now under Mahadevi's care.[15]
Please do come.
Any Radhagovinda temple nearby? I'll visit once.[16]
Ustad, take some tea.
Saved me, didi.
Good. From now, ustad is your Brother. Take presents from Him on bhaiphnota.[17]
Certainly, mashi.
But, I'll fix a new relation - Thakurjhi.
(Bou.) Bou. Where to? In this Late afternoon?
Won't tell the household - unable To give any milk today?
Won't give milk any more. Others May think bad. They'll beat me.
And - I'm so ill. So much pain - In the head - in the limbs.
And ... and nothing - just saying That I'm leaving.
(Mashi.) Mashi, Nitai-uncle is not Here anymore - left the village.
Left ...? With the jhumur group?
No, they say, he left alone.
No, no. What they know? Well, that's well.
Why are you here - for nothing? What is the use? Go away.
_My soul burns to grab him,_ _The moon of Radha's vision,_ _Who is black in love's kajal._[18]
_How difficult is that hope._
_Radha is the sea of nectar,_ _And so she holds the moon._ _I am derelict as death,_ _How do I dare that hope?_
_How difficult is that hope._
I won't live any more.
You called me to hear this?
_Envy, hate, violence_ _Never can be good_
You've fever. Do you take your Medicines?
Yes - broom, stick, slaps.
Yeah?
Don't say - the'll beat me more.
OK, I'll send medicines.
Shame Rajan, you mustn't say Things like that.
So go, die. Why you want to die?
This birth is in different caste.
Paid sweets to Yuvaraj to call you. And you don't listen. You're a crack. Why, WHAT happened to you?
What? Say.
The're saying, my death will Save them.
Just throw the body by the river.
But you please touch fire to my Face, who else is there for me?[19]
_Chandrabali_ _Is like makal fruit,_[20] _Nothing else but color._
_No bird touches it,_ _Except the dirty crow._
_Kala, you chose glass pieces,_ _Rejecting the jewelry._
_It is sheer bad luck_ _That killed you._[21]
_Fire to your face._ _Fire to your face._
_Alas, Kalachand,_[22] _Visit a doctor,_ _Your eye is sick._
_Burn the straw._ _Use fire from the face_ _To light the tobacco._
_Fire to your face._ Fire to your face.
Stop. Hey mashi. Now give a reply.
They set fire to your face. Now you set fire to their house.
Silence. Silence.
Hey mashi. Present your new singer.
Son. Rise now.
Kabial.
_A and B and C and all - ..._[23] _Goddesses on every alphabet_
_Give me prowess to pronounce_
_What a song it was?_ _A ant B bat C cat ...?_
Mashi!
Hang devotion. Use kheurh and Slang. Or they will burry us.[24]
I can't sing kheurh.
For group's prestige, you have to. Spent money on bringing you.
Liquor may help you in kheurh.
Violinist, arrange him some liquor.
I do not drink.
Drink or not, you must sing kheur. Take revenge of that insult on me.
That's why we brought you.
I can't.
You can't?
No.
No!
Mashi, drop the show. I won't dance.
Basan.
Why you came?
I won't go.
Basan!
You can't do kheur. Then why you Came to jhumur group? Why?
Go away - get out.
Have any liquor? Liquor?
You'll get the money.
_Sparkles hit my eyes from_ _Your mirror-studded bracelet._
_Thousand lights kindled_ _My palace of darkness._
_Your mirror-studded bracelet._
_Oh by jove, by god's grace_ _Eyes can't take it any more._
_Sparkles flash and dance_ _At every twirl of hands._
_The violin of my soul plays_ _By the fiddle of your bracelet._
_Your mirror-studded bracelet._
Bravo. They lit your face, and you Ignited the souls.
This Naran called her Chandrabali, And me Kalachand.[25]
What is he himself?
So, I say -
What? What?
Messenger Brinda.[26] Yes, Brinda.
_Aged Brinda, your wizened cheek_ _Looks now ugly in cosmetics._
_No more any sweet juice there,_ _You are just handling the foam._
_No more any death for you._ _Even Yama is afraid to come._[27]
Listen, dohar.[28]
Yes?
Can you say, why Yama is afraid?
Why Yama doesn't take him?
He tastes bad.
Not at all, dohar. Not at all.
Then?
Can you tell me?
(I can.) I can, Kalachand.
Say, Chandrabali.
The fear is, If he tries to make love to Yama!
Don't resist. At last death came - The final cough.
All say - haribol.[29]
Balohari Haribol.[30]
I slapped you.
Now, you slap me! Slap.
I closed the door?
Now opening it.
Only song and laugh! You are evil, ominous.
Vrindaban, close the door.
Seeing what?
You.
No. Don't see me.
Today for you -
I know, you took liquor - for me.
You protected my dignity today.
I'm yours. But still don't see me.
Basan!
Don't touch. I've consumption. Blood in cough, fever at evening.
Don't see me. Don't touch me.
You're so sad.
That Naran and others poisoned My world. I wish I could kill them!
Basan!
And then you came. Never saw One like you!
You don't touch me!
Can't keep your request, Basan.
I'm tying gnatcharha with you.[31]
No!
The violin is playing.
I'm listening.
If I die earlier, you untie this Gnatcharah knot.
No, no - don't say like that.
Then what to say?
Not you, let me say. You listen.
_You're my soul's mate._ _I pray for the boon_ _To die before you do._
Get ready, ready, barbela will start, Good time of journey will go by.[32]
That time, journey in barbela Brought this damn rhemuatism!
And it never cures - oh my god.
Yes, my son, come here.
Going today?
Yes. Or we can't reach Bardhaman Fair in three days time.[33]
Where to from there?
That list ready. From there to Nadia, then Murshidabad, Malda![34]
By Rail, sometimes by boat or Bullock-cart. Even on foot.
Touring all village fairs, we'll Return here In November, at last.
First in Katwa - drip in Ganges.[35]
Basan, you packed your things?
Everything, mashi, except only -
- one thing.
Let's go.
I - where?
With us!
No, no. You better return ... ... that railway station ...
... cool courtyards ...
... cups of hot tea ...
... Rajan ... krishnachurha tree ...
... thakurjhi ...
Let's go, Basan.
Bardhaman
Nadia
Murshidabad
Malda
Nadia
Katwa
Oh god, was it a primary school? Bench, broken chair, even a cane!
Where are they? Basan, violinist, Nitai?
After one year, once again, Back to your place.
No more tours with mashi.
What then?
Take resort in Mahaprabhu.[36]
Make a hut in Nabadwip.[37]
And live on alms, singing Padabali for the devotees.[38]
And provide for someone else. And care for him.
What's in your mind?
Nothing.
No. You carry a lament, don't you?
Yes.
What?
_I carry this lament -_
_Love's thirst did not fulfill._ _This one life did not suffice._ _Why life is so small!_
Basan.
You're right kabial. Why life is so small!
Blood.
Basan!
Nitai, take her to the lodge. All Are there. I'm calling a doctor.
Guard, arranged everything of Nitai and Basan to their room?
Yes.
Lest Basan's hysteri is there![39]
Her anger is increasing with her Illness.
Which one my room?
That one.
Basan.
No! Why you? Give me![40]
Let that be.[41]
No!
Apply it below.
Doctor, the price of medicine?
Give it later.[42]
Mahadev kabial?
Oh Nitai. OK, OK.
You're well, ustad?
Heard of your fame. In jhumur group at last! Shame!
Left-over goes to garbage, no?
But, you here?
Kabial competition is here, A few of us came together.
All kabials will be judged.
The best kabial will get a Big gold medal.
The best kabial ...
Ustad, you compete.
No kabial will compete with him. Staying with jhumur girls! Jhumur group's kabial! Shame! Shame!
Here's medicine, and if breathless -
Where's kabial?
He's gone to get fruits for you.
You're telling lies. He has left me.
Nitai is different.
Today is a big fight of all kabials In this Katwa fair.
The best kabial will get a Gold madel.[43]
If Nitai fights, everyone knows, He will get this madel.
Who stops him from singing tonight?
But, no one from jhumur group Is allowed to fight there.
Because he lives with jhumur girls.
What, mashi?
Nothing, my son. Thinking about Basan - her luck is very good.
Why?
Such a big gold piece: you won't go?
Silence, mashi! She'll hear!
Gave her medicine?
She didn't take.
Why?
You didn't take medicine?
Take it. Take.
Give.
Basan!
I pray to you!
Basan, Basan!
You go, leave me behind!
You have to win that medal.
Oh! Rise.
You forgot the gnatcharah?
No. I'll untie it myself.
If I'm ill like this - can you leave?
No.
Then?
I won't live any more!
Basan!
When violin played, how nice it Seemed. For the last few days, I can't take it any more.
Because you are not well.
No. I am afraid. Seems like people I don't know are weeping around me.
And I feel, my death is coming near. Can these feelings be untrue?
There! There!
Playing violin - stop it!
I'm going, Basan. You lie down.
Lighting lamp?
Ustad, come outside for once. They all have come.
I told you - I won't go.
They are here. Arranged a doctor too. Just sing and return. Don't miss. It is a life-time chance.
Yes, I know.
So, come.
No.
Take Govinda's name, You'll suffer less.[44]
No. What god has given me? Family, children, home?
I won't take his name. No. No. No. No.
Dinabandhu, Radhanath, Pity on me in my next birth.[45]
Basan! Basan!
Don't call any more.
Tell them, I'll sing.
_I carry this lament -_
_Love's thirst did not fulfill._ _This one life did not suffice._ _Why life is so small!_
_What life can't provide_ _Is it offered in death?_
_Flower that perishes here_ _Does bloom in the other world?_
_Moon that sets in this world_ _Rises in the other sky?_
_All the wails of this world_ _Become smiles in that world?_
_Why life is so small!_
Kabial.
Going away?
Yes.
Where?
Don't know.
Now to my village - to bid goodbye To my mother-like birthplace.
This medal is not mine. I'll send it Through Rajan to the real owner.
And ... I'm going, brother.
(_Oh the one in my soul._ _For you I built my hut,_ _Beside the road._)
(_Rays that sparkle from you_)
(_Through love, this I learned._ _True happiness resides in tears._)
(Chanditala Rail Station.)
Balia, where's Rajan? After I meet, I'll leave by the train at daybreak.
No ... near that signal post ...
Near the signal post - Rajan? At this hour? Why?
That thakurjhi ... below the Krishnachurha tree ...
Thakurjhi - at this dawn - below Krishnachurha tree - why Balia?
God knows ... why ...
(Train whistle.)
Rajan.
Thakurjhi.
Kabial, came by this train?
Why not by the evening train?
She is away.
She went away while calling you.
She became insane.
For her only one thing remained: Kabial, kabial.
She said, jamaidada, Spread flowers on my chita.[46]
And said, don't pluck a single flower From this Krishnachurha tree.
My insane sister!
_I carry this lament -_ _Love's thirst did not fulfill._ _This one life did not suffice._ _Why life is so small!_