*PRISON BEHIND THE VEIL * Short story By Kadayam Balan – Translated into English by MiniMohanraj

13-7-2020

கடையம் பாலன் எழுதிய திரைக்குள் சிறை என்ற சிறுகதையை சகோதரி மினிமோகன்ராஜ் ஆங்கிலத்தில் மொழி பெயர்த்துள்ளார்.

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Bharathi Selvi’s wedding ceremony was in chaos. The Mangala Orchestra quietened. The shrill sounds of women
wagging their tongues during auspicious occasions (Kulavai) also came to a stop. The place where the wedding feast was
being prepared became silent.
The master cook who was in a dilemma said, “Only Kheer (Payasam) should be prepared and Pappad or Poppadum to be
fried. Is it to be done or not?”
Meanwhile the villagers and neighbours who had gathered for the wedding spoke in whispers among themselves, “Bharathi
is a good girl but why is she creating such a pandemonium (chaos or confusion) when the wedding knot is to be tied?”
A neighbour said, “With her consent only the marriage was fixed but why is she adamant now?” and the comments
continued.
Some elders of the neighbourhood said, “This is how they will behave if they are educated. That is why our
ancestors had laid rules that girls should not be given too much of an education.”
Meanwhile a man, running short of breath came there and said, “I was out of station, it became late. I could reach
now only. Has the wedding feast started?” A guest said in reply, “Ah, brother, there is a backfence talk that the wedding
is brought to a stop.” The other man on hearing it reacted shockingly as food had not been cooked in his house, since the
entire household had turned up for the wedding.

Bharathi Selvi was an efficient and welleducated girl. She was against superstitious beliefs. But when she heard anyone commenting that belief in God is superstitious, she would take
them to task, for she had studied about Rationality from Prof. Arivarasan and about spiritual philosophies from Prof.
Sivakaminathan. Being a selfreliant, intelligent and well educated girl , she
found it quite easy to secure a government job for herself.Even the groom chosen for her had a decent job.
Neither did her marriage take place in an orthodoxical nor atheistic manner. Instead it was decided that the wedding
rites were to be conducted by the head of the family by lighting the lamp and making an idol like with turmeric powder
and assuming it to be Lord Ganesha.To make it more precise, all the wedding procedures were taking place only under her
instruction. The head of the family was seated on the dais performing some rites. When it was time for the Mangalsutra
to be tied, BharathiSelvi who was calm till then, looked all around her and told them “Wait for some time”. The groom
who was about to tie the knot replaced the Mangalsutra on the coconut which was smeared with turmeric.
Everyone present there was shocked and the head of the family asked in consternation, “What is the problem….. Is it
virtuous on your part to proclaim like this when the Mangalsutra is to be tied?” But Bharathiselvi replied very
calmly, “Forgive me grandpa …… please calm down.”
“What are you telling Bharathi…… the groom is a good boy isn’t it?….Tie the Mangalsutra …” But Bharathi was determined,
“Please wait grandpa….”. Bharathi’s mother who was witnessing the scene fumed in anger and said, “Why are you
putting us to disgrace in the presence of so many people?”
“Mother……..what I thought did not take place……please wait amma” But Bharathi’s mother who could not be consoled over
the situation shot a sarcastic dart on her husband even in the crowded mass by telling her daughter, “ Yes….your father has
brought you up as a spoiled brat….. that is why you are behaving like this…..”.
Meanwhile Bharathi’s father handled the situation in an apprehending way by requesting the groom, “please don’t
mistake. There will be a genuine reason behind whatever my daughter does. Forgive her for embarrassing you in a social
gathering like this.” BharathiSelvi , the bride stood up from her seat ,with all
her bridal accessories like garland and all and said to the groom,“Sorry…..I will come within five minutes” and when the
groom’s parents were about to burst in anger, the groom suppressed it through his staring looks. His parents calmed
themselves down. “Suganya, where is aunty?” asked Bharathi to Suganya who was standing there.
“ Mother…mother”……stammered Suganya ,who was in mental agony, unable to answer her. The next moment
Bharathi stepped down the dais and ran out the wedding hall out into the next alley and reached Suganya’s house. She
opened the door and furiously entered inside calling out “Aunt…” and stared at her aunt Bagyam, in anger, who came
of the house.
Bagyam was a distant relative, an aunt like to Bharathi. She loved Bharathi so much, that she took care of her in such a
way, that both became so close to each other. This motherly love towards Bharathi continued even after Suganya’s birth
five years later. To top it all, even the groom chosen for Bharathi happened to be a distant relative of Bagyam.
Bharathi had already told Bagyam that she should only grace her wedding occasion by her presence. But that day Bagyam
did not turn up for the wedding, hence this anger.
Bagyam who understood Bharathi well said, “Do not look at me like that….. I want you to live happily, that’s why I did
not come. Ok where is the groom? Did you come all alone?”
“Don’t change the topic aunty…..I have not yet tied the knot….” Bagyam expressed her shock and concern in words,
“What happened Bharathi…?” Bharathi burst out and said, “How will my marriage take place without your presence?”
Bagyam couldn’t control her emotions. She said, “My husband and me had desired to conduct your marriage in a
pompous manner but fate decided otherwise. He is no more.”
Bharathi who had calmed down a little by that time said to Bagyam, “Didn’t I tell you when my marriage was fixed that it
should take place only in your presence. Then only will Uncle’s soul bless me, isn’t it?”
“Yes….yes…. you said…..but will the world accept this? Won’t they consider my presence to be an ill omen?” “
Hmmm….the world…aunty compared to you , is mere dust to me. What they say is of no concern to me.” “But Bharathi I
want you to be happy in your life, that is why I did not come,”said Bagyam with tears welling in her eyes. But aunt, “That is
superstitious belief…. God is within you also. Mainly I consider you as the goddess that I always pray to. I need your
blessings.” “My blessings are always with you. You will live well,” said Bagyam with love in her eyes.
“ Ok, ok… the entire guests who are present for the wedding are waiting for me. I do not desire to argue with you,” saying
this she took Bagyam’s hand and dragged her to the mandap.
“You touch and bless this Mangalsutra”, Bagyam couldn’t resist the words of Bharathi and so she blessed it.
“Grandpa, now you can take the mangalsutra and give it to the groom,” said Bharathiselvi. Grandfather took the
mangalsutra and gave it to the groom and he tied the knot around Bharathi’s neck and thus she became Srimathi
Bharathi.
The newly wedded couple fell at Bagyam’s feet and got her blessings. At that time Bharathi got a feeling that her
favourite goddess BADRAKALI AMMAN herself was showering the blessings on her. At this occasion, many guests present
there appreciated Bharathi’s attitude towards Bagyam while some grumbled over it. But more ridiculous was, when some
widowed old women spoke with animosity among themselves against Bharathi’s attitude. According to Bharathi
appreciations came out to be true while criticisms vanished in thin air.
BharathiSelvi had been married for five years and she was a mother of two children – a girl and a boy. Very occasionally
only did Bharathi come to her native place, even if it was for official reasons. Now, after a long span of time, she had come
to her native place along with her husband and two children,to attend Suganya’s marriage.
Everyone who attended the wedding glorified Bharathiselvi’s way of leading a good life. Everyone recalled
and praised the revolution she had created during her own marriage. The Muhurtham for the wedding (Suganya’s) was
nearing. The bride, Suganya ,was brought to the dais. It was time for the wedding knot to be tied. Bharathi looked all
around but Bagyam was nowhere to be seen. She ran to check inside the house but Bagyam was not there. Bharathi walked
towards the dais with emotive eyes. Suganya, who was on the dais , in all her bridal attire, garland and all, too searched for
her mother, Bagyam. But on seeing Bharathi ,she sensed some relief seeping inside her and called out to her, “Akka, I was
looking for you only,” and Suganya held fast to Bharathi’s hand and made her stand next to her. The wedding took place
pompously without Bagyam’s presence. The elders, villagers,everyone blessed the new couple. After some time Bagyam
made her appearance from somewhere and stood where the feast was being served. She was entertaining the guests who
had come for the wedding. But as soon as she saw the newly wedded couple approaching in her direction to have their
wedding feast, she moved to a distant corner. Bharathi was also standing there. Their eyes met. “Bharathi, forgive me…..
my heart would not consent to accept such things….that’s why I avoided attending my daughter’s marriage,” said Bagyam
trying to hide her tears. But Bharathi contrary to Bagyam’s expectation said, “No aunty, I did not think bad about you.
Rationality differs from person to person. If I am happy today,it’s only because of your blessings.”
Bhagyam was surprised, for instead of displaying annoyance towards Bagyam, Bharathiselvi exhibited a strong
sense of compassion.
Bharathiselvi’s face broke into a smile when she optimistically anticipated and craved to envision a day when
these women who had discarded the robe of social evils like SATI, WIDOWHOOD etc., would break the fetters of
subjugation and shed the mask of ill bred traditions of the DARK AGE , and walk with dignity towards “ an
uncontaminated tomorrow.”