Return of Khokababu by Bhattacharya Sipra

Author:Bhattacharya Sipra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: HarperPerennial
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

It must be remembered that in the nineteenth century, orthodox Hindus disapproved of widows remarrying and this issue marked a major social controversy.

Original story entitled ‘Pratibeshini’

The Broken Nest

one

Bhupati was one of those fortunate people who had no need to earn a living. He had plenty of money. The political climate in our country was simmering with ideas and controversies. Bhupati’s stars had destined that he should be a man of action. Thus, he was overwhelmed with the desire to publish an English newspaper. After he had set out upon this venture, he could never again complain that time hung heavily on his hands.

Since his childhood Bhupati had been very keen to write and lecture in English. Even when there was no real need for it, he would write letters to English newspapers and even though he had nothing much to say, he would never leave an assembly without saying a few words.

Leaders of various political parties were eager to win over a man as wealthy as Bhupati, and they flattered him profusely. It wasn’t surprising therefore, that he soon developed an exaggerated opinion of his command over English.

Finally, Bhupati’s brother-in-law Umapada, an unsuccessful lawyer, suggested, ‘Why don’t you publish an English paper? One as extraordinary as you. . .’

Bhupati was tempted. There was no glory in writing letters to others’ newspapers: in his own paper, he could wield his independent pen with great force. So with his brother-in-law as his partner, Bhupati started his paper and became an editor at a relatively young age.

As he was young, he soon became obsessed with politics and editorial work and there were many people who encouraged him in this.

While Bhupati was immersed in nurturing his newspaper, his child-bride Charulata gradually became a woman. The newspaper editor did not come to know of this significant bit of news. His attention was entirely absorbed by the aggressive foreign policy of the government of British India, which threatened to exceed all reasonable limits.

Charulata had no work to occupy her in her wealthy husband’s home. Like a fruitless flower, the only occupation of her long leisurely days and nights was to blossom in complete futility. There was nothing she lacked.

In such situations, a bride often makes a tremendous fuss over her husband. The foreign policy of marriage might then cross all accepted boundaries of time and convention and arrive at the inopportune and the unconventional. But Charulata didn’t have that opportunity either. It was impossible for her to breach the protected defences of the newspaper and conquer her husband.

When a relative drew Bhupati’s attention towards his bride and scolded him for his neglect, he replied at once, ‘Yes, indeed! Charu requires a companion. The poor thing has nothing to do!’

He told Umapada, Charu’s brother, ‘Why don’t you bring your wife here? There’s no woman of Charu’s age in the house—it must be very lonely for her!’

The editor thought that a lack of female company was the source of Charu’s unhappiness. And having sent for Mandakini, his brother-in-law’s wife, he felt relieved at having solved the problem.

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