For my uncle Nolinaksha-babu's wedding, Kazi Nazrul Islam came to our house. He was my uncle's friend. He also the friend of my eldest uncle, Fenu Bhattacharya Calcutta, Kaka had a music-school and I believe his friendship with Nazrul was linked to this.
A Muslim being invited to a Brahmin's wedding? What if he be a poet? Some members of the family had raised the i and some had even objected to it. Obviously none from family raised any objection; on the contrary, everyone delighted that Nazrul had accepted the invitation.
Nazrul came to know about this probably through run and so he composed a song on the day of the wedding it And set it at once to music. He sang the song himself on occasion which later became very well-known.
Jaateyr namey bajjaati shob
Jat-J ally at khelchhey joua
Chhunleyee tor jaat jaabey
]aat chheleyr haateyr noy to moya
Hoonkor jol aar bhateyr haandi,
Bhabli eyteyee jaatir jaan,
Tai to bekub, korii tora eft jaatikey eksho khan.
Ekhon dekhish bharat-joda
Pochey aachhish baashi moda,
Maanush nai aaj, aachhey shudhu
Jaat-sheyaleyr hookkahooa.
Jaanish na ki dhormo shey jey
Bormoshom shohonsheel,
Taakey ki bhangtey paarey
Chhonoua-chhouyir chhotto dhil.
Jey jaat dhormo thunko eto
Aaj noy kaal bhangbey shey to
Jaak na shey jaat jahaannamey,
Roibey maanush, nai paroya.
Boltey paarish bishwo-pita bhogbaner kon shey jaat?
Kon chheyleyr taanr lagley chhonoua
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The ancestral Bhattacharya residence in Berhampur in West Bengal
A view of the courtyard leading to the covered verandah and
the parlour of the Bhattacharya residence.
The Chandi-mandap (a shrine to Kali) in front of the Bhattacharya residence.
Ashuchi hon jagannath?
Narayaneyr jaat jodi nai
Toder keno jaateyr balai?
(Tora) chheyleyr mukhey thuthu diyey
Maar mukhey dish dhoopeyr dhoaan.
All those who were gossiping under bated breath on the side during this wedding party were left absolutely speechless when they heard Nazrul sing this song. Today everybody knows this song but few probably know the context in which it was composed. That's why I recounted this incident.
Recently the centenary celebrations were held for Nolinaksha-babu. I received news that this song of Nazrul was sung during one of the events organised at my uncle's Hindustan Park-house in Calcutta.
Let me tell you about another incident. The year was 1934. I was about eleven then. A very famous Hegenberg circus from Germany was showing in Calcutta. Nolinaksha-babu took us to see it. As I told you he was a well-built, fearless man,
although he was rather dark of complexion. He would always joke about his dark complexion by saying it was of a fast colour. He accompanied us to our seats and said: 'Be seated . I'll be back in a while.' And he went away.
What actually happened was that a German had insulted him by calling him a 'darkie'. He went straight to this gentleman, pulled up his ears and landed two solid slaps on his cheeks. Soon there was commotion. The manager of the circus came running: 'What's happened? Why are you beating him?'
'He taunted me by calling me a 'darkie'. Why should he taunt me if I am dark?'
The manager persuaded this German to apologise and the matter came to an end.
Nolinaksha-babu studied abroad. He was also a member of the Congress. After some disagreement with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel over some issue he quit the party. When
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Prafulla Ghosh became the chief minister of West Bengal the second time he joined his cabinet as the finance minister.
Let me tell you something amusing in this con Nolinaksha-babu had a dog. This dog had a pretty thick tail. My father had taken one of her pups as a pet. But this didn't have a tail that was formed in the same way. One day my father happened to blurt out without actually meaning to: 'Nolinaksha-babu's tail is so pretty and thick. Why isn't our dog's tail the same?!'
Everyone had a good laugh.
*
Dada told us one day: People used to call my father Mangalda and Motakaka Bengalda. As Motakaka was born during the movement, against the partition of Bengal he was this name. My younger uncle who focussed on building his arm-muscles was called Dumbell-da. Dumbell-da was very bright in studies. He somehow scraped through Matriculation and then tried and failed in his Intermediate exam was very good at football, though. The District Magistrate of the time, one Mr. Webb, was so charmed by his game that he offered him a job in the Treasury. A job at the Treasury meant making a lot of extra money. Anyone who wanted to get something done always paid some extra money, almost twenty five to thirty rupees each day as extra income. The Treasure office closed at five in the evening which would delay my Chhotokaka's football game. And so one day Chhotokaka Dumbell-da quit his job.
The Magistrate then recommended him for a job with the Customs. In those days it wasn't enough to be a matriculate to get a job at the Customs. But as he was recommend the Magistrate he was called for the interview. At the iinterview they asked him: 'Why have you come for a job at such a young age? Why aren't you pursuing your studies?' "
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Chhotokaka answered: 'I got plucked again and again and therefore my father took me out of the college.'
Needless to say he didn't get the job. So he started a business venture. But as he didn't have any flair for business, whatever he tried fell through and he lost money. Both Motakaka and Dumbell-da undertook many ventures which unfortunately all failed. We had several houses at Berhampur, some of which were lost in their business-failures. Only our father's ancestral property could be saved.
Motakaka evidently was quite plump. He weighed three and a half quintals. One zamindar from Malda whose name I now can't recall was also quite fat and weighed three quintals. Once this zamindar, Motakaka, Pranab Sen, a Sports organiser of Berhampur, and myself, we went on a hunt in Malda. The marshes of Malda were reputed as a hunting- ground. Many kinds of birds used to come there. Even the governor used to come there to hunt. And so we set off with Motakaka and the zamindar. Both of them were rather big. A farmer who was working in his field on seeing these huge figures stopped working as he could not stop from laughing. And while he was laughing away he said pointing at them: 'How wonderfully these two would pull my yoke!' The zamindar was infuriated on hearing this but Motakaka remained unperturbed. In fact very good-humouredly he even laughed at it.
In those days in Krishnanagar in Nadia district there used to be a very amusing football match. All the good players of the town on one side and all those who weighed three quintals or above on the other. The good players were given a handicap: some had their vision reduced by high-powered glasses, some wore only one slipper, some had both their hands tied at the back. And so the match was played in this way and at the end of the match there was a lot of happy feasting. The king of Krishnanagar organised this match.
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Rajkumar is a captain in the Playground. He also lives in a room in the north-east corner. One day he turned Dada's office. He talks in a most humorous way.
Dada asked: "So, Jagannath, what's the matter?"
'Dada, he said, we found a bunch of keys at the Playground. Expensive Godrej almirah keys and some house-keys. A woman had told me that in case I found a bunch of should inform her because she had lost her house keys. I informed her that a bunch of keys had been found. 'Please come and collect it from the Playground. The bunch is kept in the 'Lost and Found' corner.' Many days passed. The woman never turned up. One day I met her on the street. 'What happened? You didn't come to get your keys?'
Rajkumar, I just can't find the time. But you know my house, don't you? Why don't you drop them at my place please?'
'What a funny situation is this! By informing her I have got myself into more trouble! These are keys of her house, it is for her to show some interest. And now I have to go and drop them at her place!'
Once this same lady was coming for the meditation Playground with another woman. Near Vishwajit-da's a few drops of water fell on their heads. Probably somebody was watering the plants on the terrace and some drops have fallen on them. At once one of them said: 'Oh God! it is raining! Then There is no point at all in going to the meditation. Let's go back home.' And saying this they turned back.
One Saturday, a film-day at the Ashram, it was raining very hard. The film had to be cancelled. All the lights Playground were switched off. Suddenly through all the downpour I hear a knock on my door. I open the door and same two ladies are standing there. Dressed from head to foot, a raincoat over their clothes and an umbrella to top it all!
What's the matter, I ask.
Very sweetly they enquire: 'Won't the film be shown today?'
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In that overcast evening dripping with rain and armed with raincoats they had come to watch a film. But on that day just because two drops of rain had fallen on their heads they rushed back home without going to the meditation! Honestly, Dada, I was quite dumbstruck!'
Dada told us an interesting story about two persons who could not hear; one deaf, the other hard of hearing. One of them was standing in his courtyard one evening when he saw the other person walking past in the street. He hollered at the top of his voice:
'So? You are going to see the cricket match, I imagine?'
Without stopping , the man in the street yelled back:
'No, no, I am going to see the cricket match!'
The first gentleman answered:
'Oh, I see. I thought you were going to see the cricket match!
Everyone enjoyed the anecdote. Then one of the people in the office said:
I know another story about two deaf persons. One of them was returning from the vegetable-market with two huge brinjals. He met someone on the way who was also stone- deaf. He asked him:
'So, how are you?'
'Yes, I bought them for four rupees a kilo.'
'Oh, so You are fine. But how's your mother. I am told your mother's health is not too good?'
'Yes, cooked over charcoal. Simply delicious!'
Listen to another amusing story, Dada told us one day. A jatra' (folk-play) was organised at the village zamindar's house. The stage was set up in a big courtyard of the house. A large crowd of villagers gathered.
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The zamindar was comfortably seated in an armchair and was watching the jatra with great interest, passing some remarks from time to time. There were a score of boys and young kids sitting around him looking at the zamindar and sniggering. The band was playing on the stage while four lamps lighted the area four corners. The 'jatra' started and the zamindar sat up properly. It was the story of Rama and Sita. The story reached when Sita is about to be abducted. Sita tells Rama: I am so very happy in this forest. This exile in the forest is even better than Ayodhya.'
The zamindar didn't quite like this. He began muttering 'Enough! You needn't feign anymore.' Then he turned towards Sita and wagging his finger at her directly he said: 'Listen you young lass! I am warning you! Don't you start fretting for getting the golden deer. Don't tell me I didn't warn you!"
A little later, Sita motioned over the heads of the audience and said:
'O Aryaputra, look at that strange deer over there in that wood. Its body is studded with gems. Its golden complexion is like the filament of lotus. Please capture that deer so that I can play with it.'
The zamindar was furious: 'I warned you and you still didn't pay heed! What a strange girl you are!'
Ram left to go and capture the deer. The zamindar stood up, his voice was quivering with rage. Over the heads of the seated audience he pointed at Sita menacingly: 'Listen to me now, young lass, I am warning you again! What's happened has happened. Don't you send Lakshman now. Lakshiman must remain with you!'
Just then Ram's anguished cry was heard: 'O Sita! O Lakshmana!'
Sita was terribly upset and exclaimed: 'My dear Lakshamana I think Ram is in danger. Go at once and save him.
'No, adorable one, danger can't touch Ram, Lakshamana replied. This must be some demon's trick.'
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The zamindar jumped to his feet again: 'That's right! Lakshmana's speaking the truth. You silly, sentimental girl! I am telling you nothing's wrong with Ram!'
Now Lakshmana drew a circle around Sita and warned her:
'Don't go beyond this circle. Until I come back with Ram don't step over this boundary.'
The village zamindar broke into sweat despite the winter- coolness. Wiping his face with his shawl he said: 'At least, try and remember this much, young lass. Otherwise you have only sorrow in your fate!'
The 'jatra' was now becoming really gripping. The violin was playing a melody full of pathos. Just then Ravana appeared before Sita in the guise of an ascetic seeking alms.
The zamindar could not control his rage anymore. He had forgotten that it was but a play. For him it was all so very real. He waved his hand vehemently: 'Beware, Sita! Don't you give him any alms! Don't cross the line. I won't allow it. You had better obey!'
Sita wanted to give him alms without moving out of the circle but Ravana answered:
'If you give me alms without coming out I cannot accept.'
Then go away if you can't!' the zamindar intervened.
As soon as Sita stepped out of the circle to give him alms, Ravana seized her.
The zamindar lost all control now. Leaving his seat and pushing his way through the audience he climbed onto the Stage. He landed two solid slaps on Sita's cheeks:
'I've been warning you all this time but you just haven't paid heed? A queer girl you are really!' Then turning towards Ravana he said: 'Ravana, here, take this girl away!'
The village milkman's boy was acting as Sita. On being slapped he started howling. The village haircutter was playing Ravana and he got so terrified of being slapped by the zamindar that he slipped away from the stage!
The 'jatra' was in a total mess.
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While watching a play a lot of people forget, Dada continued, that it is only a play. They get so identified that they loose control over themselves. Once Vidyasagar was watching a play called Nila-Darpan in Calcutta. He was so carried away on seeing a European character's atrocities that he took his slippers and hurled them at him. Ardhendushekhar was playing the European's role, I am told. He held that slipper of Vidyasagar's on his head and dancing happily on the remarked: 'Of my entire acting career this certainly is the best prize!'
I know of another true incident.
It is about a police officer in Kurseong who was watching a film. He was in uniform and had the cross-belt over his chest and the revolver on his waist. The film that was showing that was 'Tarzan'. At one point of the film Tarzan fights a tiger. The police officer had come to the cinema slightly drunk. Unable to control himself he took his revolver and shot at the tiger on the screen. The screen was tattered and the film had stopped.
Someone in the office said: 'I've heard a similar story, A jatra was showing the story of Savitri and Satyavan in a village. Yama arrives to take Satyavan away. Savitri is overcome with sorrow. The owner of the jatra who is dressed up as 'Vivek' (conscience) with a turban on his head breaks into a song but his throat is sore and the song sounds awful. Yama meanwhile is dragging Satyavan away. A widow in the audience who couldn't control herself suddenly jumped onto the stage. She stands in front of Yama and starts abusing him: 'What kind of a brain do you have? Taking this beautiful young boy away? Poor boy's just got married. His young wife is wailing away! Are you blind or something? If you take someone, take this 'Vivek' away instead. This man is really awful!'
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Dada recounted a very amusing incident that happened in the Sportsground. A company salesman turned up one day to try and sell a vacuum cleaner. He met Rajneesh there. Rajneesh was dressed in trousers and shirt with a cap on his head and slippers on his feet. Rajneesh heard the salesman and then said: 'Well, you'll have to talk to my boss.' So he was taken to Puru. Puru was barefooted, wearing a 'banian' and shorts and a cap. Puru too heard him out and then said: 'Well, you'll have to talk to my boss.' So he was taken to Jag. Jag was barefooted and bare-bodied and wore shorts and a straw-hat. While Jag was talking to the salesman he went on staring at his outfit. 'You'll have to talk to my boss,' Jag finally advised him and took him to Batti. Batti was cleaning the swimmingpool then. He was bare-bodied, bare-footed and had just a swimsuit on. The salesman was quite flabbergasted. Each boss he met seemed to have less and less on him. This one was down to his underwear! Batti heard him patiently and then said: 'To finalise everything you'll have to talk to my boss.'
The salesman was in a quandary. There was yet another boss after this underwear!
'No, no, it is all right. I don't think there is any need to see your boss. Good-bye!' And saying this the salesman collected his big and took to his heels!
Praveen's mother had passed away and a distinguished Brahmin from Kashi was brought for the last rites.
The pundit saw Praveen's big house. Very impressive indeed. Then the connection with Sri Aurobindo Ashram. He had found a very wealthy client indeed! In order to impress Praveen and his brothers he told them a lot of tall stories and then to cap his impression-making talk he declared: 'Sri Aurobindo knew English tremendously well, he knew English so much, so much.... so much really.... that you felt........he knew nothing!'
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Dada said this in such an amusing way that no one resist laughing.
This pundit from Kashi has reminded me of another amusing story. There was another club not far from our own Berhampur club. There are always a couple of braggarts a such club-boys. One day this club organised a show. i with a mike in his hand was moving and gesticulating in such a way so as to draw all the attention on himself. He announced 'Now we'll show you a figure on the parallel bars!'
The parallel bar item was shown.
Then he announced: 'Now you'll see some acrobatic There was some acrobatics.
Then the boy said: 'Now here is a feat of balance! What do you know about balance? Nothing at all. But then what is balance? Balance is what we call, what we call... what we call...' He stammered, unable to find the right words. Balance is... balance is... I mean balance is... BALANCE!
Dada was telling us about Mridu-di of the Ashram. It was Anilbaran Ray who brought her to the Ashram. She was related to him. She was a devoted sadhika and would prepare Sri Aurobindo's food with a lot of care and devotion.
When it was time for Sri Aurobindo's meal she would sit at the door of His room. She would not touch food Sri Aurobindo finished eating. Not even drink any water.
After Sri Aurobindo had eaten the Mother would come and take a little 'prasad' from Him and put it into her mouth. Only then would Mridu-di go back to her house and would distribute Sri Aurobindo's 'prasad' to a lot of people. That's why her house was called 'Prasad House'.
Mridu-di was a very nice woman but a little short-tempered. She would get terribly angry over little things. And
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when she got angry she lost her head. Some naughty Ashram boys would often tease and irritate her.
One of these boys told her one day in order to anger her:
'But Mridu-di you are a Hindu widow. Would you like to taste some beef-soup? Beef is supposed to be very good.'
Mridu-di was furious and complained to the Mother. However her English was not very good. She told the Mother:
'Mother! Mother! Boys say cow eat vegetable.'
the Mother replied: 'Yes, it is true.'
Mridu-di was quite befuddled hearing this from the Mother.
As Mridu-di was quite plump boys used to call her 'foot- ball'. One day she went and complained to the Mother:
'Mother! Mother! Boys say I football.'
The Mother laughed and said: 'It is true!'
Everyone had a good laugh listening to this anecdote.
It was the time when sea-bathing had just started in the Ashram, Dada told us one day. Mridu-di who had stitched her own black swimsuit decided to go swimming. Meeting me on the way, she enquired: 'How do I look?'
"You look splendid, Mridu-di, I answered, like Tadaka herself from Kaliyuga!"
I could see she was wild but she didn't say anything.
One day Mridu-di caused an uproar in the Playground. There was standing in the Playground. The march-past was begin. And just then she started loudly discussing something with the Mother.
The ground was full of people. The Mother was a little embarrassed and everybody was upset. The march-past could :not begin but Mridu-di went on blabbering. There was no way of stopping her. This lasted about forty-five minutes. Then Nolinida came and took Mridu-di away from near the Mother. Sri Aurobindo had recently left His body and the
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Mother was upset and She is said to have told her:' such that Sri Aurobindo had to leave His body because of you.
One day Mridu-di told me: 'You were right that day, I am truly Tadaka. It is because of me that Sri Aurobindo left His body. What a horrible fool I made of myself that day in the Playground!'
Soon after this one day while Mridu-di was sleeping on the floor of her room she died. Her room was locked from inside and the door had to be broken to get in. Her body was lifeless.
Nolini-da remarked: 'Sri Aurobindo came and took Mridu away.'
It was about a quarter to twelve. Dada was about to get up from his chair and leave the office when a boy turned at once on entering he said: 'Dada, a funny story, please!'
Dada suddenly remembered: "Ah, yes! Today's your day for stories. So what story can I tell you then? I just can't recall any. Have I told you the story of the tiger?"
'Yes, Dada,' the boy replied.
"Have I told you the story of the fox?"
'Yes, Dada,' the boy said nodding his head. "So I seem to have told you all of them. What can I to you now? Nothing comes to my mind right now think a little. All right, have I told you the one about the prince and the deer-hunt?"
'No, Dada, I don't know that one.' "Then hear this amusing story. Once there was a king. His queen was about to have a child. The king told his ministers 'When 'When the great Brahma has written down on the new-born's forehead his future, please find out from him what He has written. So the minister sat down comfortably at the door waiting.
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Brahma turned up late at night. He saw the minister stretched out at the entrance. How could he go over him? So he asked the minister to move away a little so that he could go into the room.
Who are you?' the minister asked.
I am Brahma, the Lord of Providence. I've come to write the new-born's future on his forehead.'
Fine then, I can clear the way for you. But I have a condition.'
'What's that?'
You'll have to let me know what You are going to write on the prince's forehead.'
'All right. As you wish.'
So the minister moved away from the door. Brahma entered the room of the new-born. When he reappeared after some time the minister asked:
So, Lord, what have you written?'
Brahma answered: 'I've written that the king will soon lose his kingdom. And that this prince will become a poor hunter
and live in the forest on deer.'
Good heavens! What have you done. Lord? I beg you to somehow save the king and his family. Write something that will bring happiness to the king.'
That can't be, Brahma replied, this is what is written in the king's and the prince's future. I can't do anything to alter
that.'
Then please, O Lord, do something that the prince, even though a hunter, is at least assured of catching one deer each day is able to sell it in the market.'
All right, said Brahma, if you insist, then it will be so. He ¦will catch one deer each day and he'll be able to sell it too.'
And saying this Brahma disappeared.
What is written down comes true. So in a few days the king lost his kingdom. The neighbouring king attacked and conquered his kingdom. And time rolled on. Years went by. The ministers continued his search for the prince. One day while
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travelling through a forest he met a hunter. He was very good- looking despite the scorching sun, the cold rains and the sorrow and the suffering of his life. But a prince is a prince. How can you not recognise one? The minister knew at once didn't tell him who he was. He asked:
'What do you do, hunter?'
'I catch deer in the forest and sell them in the market. I manage to live by this.'
'How much do you earn by selling one deer?'
'Not much. Two to four rupees. I manage to survive with that.'
'The minister said: Take my advice. When you time to sell your deer in the market ask for five hundred rupees.'
The hunter was taken aback: 'What are you saying? No body will buy a deer for five hundred rupees!'
'Why don't you just listen to me? Go and see what happens in the market,' the minister assured him.
So the next day the hunter turned up at the market with his deer and asked for five hundred rupees. The customers burst out laughing when they heard his price: 'He must be crazy! Five hundred rupees for a deer!'
Nobody wanted to buy the deer. As soon as the price they backed out.
The day wore on. Soon it was evening.
Then Brahma appeared in the guise of an old bought the deer for five hundred rupees. What else could he do? It was he who had written it down in his destiny. He had to get one deer sold each day.
On the following day the minister told the hunter: Listen to me carefully. This time you increase the price for your deer. Ask for a thousand rupees in the market.'
'What do you say, sir? How will anyone buy so much money?' the hunter enquired.
'Why don't you do as I tell you and watch? that whatever I've told you has come true. From tomorrow
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you'll ask for a thousand rupees. You'll see it will sell for that price.'
And that's exactly what happened. When people heard the price they exclaimed: 'Is he mad or what? A thousand rupees for a deer!'
Nobody was ready to buy. Soon day gave way to evening. And once again Brahma came incognito as an old man and bought the deer for a thousand rupees. Poor Brahma had landed himself in a real trap!
Now the minister asked: 'Tell me, my dear son, how do you catch the deer?'
'How else? I lay a trap in the deep forest and like this I get one deer each day.'
'No, you don't have to go through all this hardship, the minister advised. From now on lay a trap near the village at the edge of the forest.'
How will I trap a deer there? It is only in the middle of the forest that I can catch a deer,' the hunter replied.
Why don't you just listen to me and do as I say. You haven't lost anything by listening to me, have you?'
So the hunter did as told. He lay the trap at the edge of the forest very near the village. But surprise of surprises! He man- aged to catch a deer even there!
The next day the minister told him: 'Next time you lay your trap right in the middle of the village, don't go even to ledge of the forest!'
You must be totally mad, sir! No deer is that miserable to leave the forest to come to a village to get trapped!' the hunter exclaimed in disbelief.
You just do as I say. Let's see what happens,' the minister insisted.
That day the hunter caught a deer by laying a trap in his village! He couldn't believe his eyes.
Brahma was in such a quandary that he decided to meet the minister. He told him:
'Why are you putting all these stupid ideas into his head? On the one hand I have to wander the whole night from
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forest .to forest chasing deer to get one into his trap. On other it is again I who must go to the market and buy it from him for a thousand rupees. In this old age I spend t running after deer. I can't go on like this anymore, t my work in heaven is also piling up. In this old age I spend my nights chasing deer from forest to forest. Please find a solution to this.'
The minister replied: 'Don't be a spoilsport, Lord. I was going to ask the hunter to lay the trap in his own courtyard. You'll have to get the deer directly to his house-courtyard in the village from now on.'
'O minister, don't be so heartless. Have a little thought for my condition.'
The minister replied: 'Then Lord, you too must have a little thought for the poor king's condition. Restore his kingdom back to him. And see that the prince doesn't have to suffer the life of a hunter anymore. Make him a prince again.'
'All right, all right, Brahma finally relented. It will be so. The king will recover his kingdom and the prince will no more be a hunter but a prince who will live happily.'
And in this way through his clever minister the king got back his kingdom and the prince's fate was re-written.
Bhaskar-da, an Ashram resident, is in charge of Dada's hair. He does this with a lot of care, eagerness and love. So one day seeing Dada after he had got his hair cut, Tapas remarked:
'What a wonderful haircut Bhaskar-da has given you! Why can't he cut our hair too in the same way?'
Dada told Bhaskar-da this: "By the way Bhasker, Tapas was saying that you don't cut other people's hair as nicely?"
Bhaskar-da replied: 'Dada, a good haircut needs a good head! Where are the good heads in the Ashram? How can you
cut hair well on all those odd, uneven heads?'
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Dada repeated Bhaskar-da's reply in such a way that no one could help laughing.
Someone in the office remarked one day: 'Dada, I find Tamil very difficult and dry. I just could not learn it.'
Well, neither could I. Our Jayshankar when he was six years old decided that he would somehow teach me Tamil. 'I WILL teach you Tamil, Dada.'
Taking a primer for Tamil he started accompanying me everywhere. Wherever I went he would be beside me with his primer in hand. He would tell me a Tamil word, then explain its meaning. When I heard a new word I forgot the previous one!
One day quite discouraged Jayshankar complained: 'Dada, why don't you try and remember the words?'
But he persisted. He followed me with his primer in hand. One day he finally told me:
I don't think I am capable of teaching you Tamil, Dada. Why, I think nobody would be able to teach you Tamil!'
Our Norman here could speak quite a few languages: besides English and French he knew Hindi and Bengali as well.
This same Norman went away to Australia and now works there in a zoo looking after the animals. He told me this anecdote himself. One day he was returning from work and it was quite late at night. He was terribly hungry. There was a restaurant on his way so he got in. The restaurant belonged to a Bengali gentleman and his wife ran the place. He asked if there was something to eat. But it was quite late in the night and all the food was over. The woman asked her husband in
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Bengali: 'What shall we do? There is nothing left worth serving. What can I offer this boy to eat?'
On hearing this Norman replied in perfect, chaste 'Give me whatever you have. I am quite famished Both the husband and the wife were stunned at Westerner speak such flawless Bengali.
'Good heavens! How do you speak such perfect Bengali?'
'Yes, I can only speak it,' Norman replied.
They were so thrilled that they prepared him a meal with "great hospitality and personally served him. And then they
insisted that he always drop in and eat with them whenever he passed that way.
I told you that Norman worked in a zoo. One hot afternoon he was getting a monkey-cage cleaned. The cage was full of red-faced monkeys. Under that scorching heat his face had turned quite red.
A family from Delhi was going round the zoo with their children. They came and stopped in front of the cage and started talking among themselves in Hindi. 'Red faced monkeys inside the cage, a red-faced monkey also out side!' they said pointing at Norman.
Norman heard this and replied in Hindi: 'But the monkey outside understands Hindi!'
They were astounded to hear a Westerner speak such impeccable Hindi. And terribly embarrassed and ashamed as well.
They apologised profusely.
It was Dada's birthday the following day. (18.10.98)l
Rajkumar came in the morning and wished Dada fête en avance!'. Dada said 'thank-you'. Then Rajkumar asked him: 'Dada, when the Mother was physically there your birthday was celebrated with great festivity. Did you ever go to the Mother on your birthday?'
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The Mother blessing Pranab with flowers on his birthday in the children's courtyard
The Mother distributing sweets to children on Pranab's birthday.
Dada replied: "Nothing more than usual. I would wake up on my birthday greeted by the Mother wishing me 'Bonne- fete'. The Mother would give me two birthday-cards, one I could show to others, and the other was strictly personal. This second card was not to be shown to anybody. Then She would give me the boxes full of all kinds of gifts, clothes, shoes, chocolate, sweets, offered to me by various people. Boxes full of things as in a marriage. All very expensive things. Foreign chocolate. A boxful just for me. And another for those who carried the boxes for me. Then there would be a tussle for who got the empty chocolate box. These chocolate boxes were truly very beautiful. Then as was the rule, I went to see Her at ten in the morning. Even after the Mother left, this arrangement continued for quite some time. Now naturally it has stopped. The Mother used to give me money too on my birthday. In the beginning She gave me an equivalent that was ten times the years I was completing. Then She started giving me a hundred times my age. She always told me to spend little and save more. It would come in handy later. And it is true, even today I spend money for my personal expenses from what I had then saved. The Ashram still gives me money as the Mother had arranged. On top of this every Saturday the Mother used to give me twelve rupees in the beginning which became twenty-five later for my pocket-expenses.
One day I went to the market. In those days Manoj (Dasgupta) and his family lived on the first floor of a double-storeyed house on that street. Seeing me go to the market one of them, either Priti or Tapati, told the Mother that they had seen Pranab going to the market.
The Mother asked me that very day: 'Did you go to the market today?' "Yes, Mother." 'What did you go to the market for?'
"I needed some buttons for a shirt so I went to buy some," I replied.
'Why did you have to go to the market, the Mother remarked, I have a lot of buttons here. You only had to ask me.'
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