Parineeta yet another classic of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay (of Devdas fame) was published in 1914. As a love story Parineeta might seem formulaic, but it was among the initiators of the genre of the romantic novel in India, set against the back drop of extraordinary prohibition and restraints on contact between the Sexes. Parineeta has a classic rich boy - Poor girl plot line where Lalita has been Shekhar's helpmeet for quite sometime, but marriage between them is out of the question. Parineeta was a film by Bimal Roy, master of neo-realism in 1953. Half a century later it has been adapted for the screen once again by film maker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, evidence that the work is still fresh and continues to find new interpretation.
If a thunderbolt had struck him down, he would have undoubtedly experienced searing pain. But the agony reflected on Gurucharan's visage was probably far greater when, right in the morning, he was brought the news that his wife had safely delivered their fifth girl child.
Gurucharan was a petty bank clerk with a salary of sixty rupees. He had the appearance of a man who was all shrivelled up, whose mind had withered away. His demeanour too seemed to reflect an impassive and uninvolved attitude. Even then, this ominous good news froze the hookah in his hand and all that he could do was to lean back weakly on the ancient pillow. There was no energy in him to even release the pent up deep sigh.
The joyful news had been heralded by his ten-year-old daughter Annakali. She said, “Baba, won't you come and take a look?”
Looking up at his daughter, Gurucharan said, “Just fetch me a glass of water, dear.”
Annakali left to get the water. As she went, Gurucharan's mind raced through all the expenses involved in the delivery. Then, the manner of train passengers of the third class who with all their belongings of various shapes and sizes cause a stampede in their efforts to bustle in through the door-innumerable worries and problems began to flood in. He remembered that the previous year, on the auspicious occasion of his second daughter's marriage, this two storeyed house of his in Bowbazar had been mortgaged and that the interest for the last six months was also overdue. Only a month or so remained before the festive season started and gifts would have to sent to the in-laws of yet another daughter. Yesterday, in the office, in spite of working till 8p.m., he had been unable to balance the debit and credit columns in the ledger; and it was mandatory to send the accounts to England by noon. Further, his superior had laid down the stern injunction that dirty and unkempt clothes could not be worn to office on pain of a fine. But since last week, the washerwoman had presumably disappeared-along with half the clothes of the household.
Now, Gurucharan felt as if he did not have the strength to even lean back against the pillow. Raising the hookah aloft, he crumpled onto the bed. He thought to himself, “Dear God, so many people are crushed to death in the traffic of Kolkata every day; in your eyes are they even greater sinners than I am? Almighty, show some mercy towards me, can't some vehicle run over me?”
None in the family noticed the deep-rooted agony of the careworn, battered man, overburdened and aged beyond his years.
Handing him the water Annakali said, “Baba, get up, here is the water.”
Sitting up, Gurucharan gulped down the water in one breath and said, “Ahh! Go on, dear, take away the glass.”
Once she left, Gurucharan lay back on the pillow again.
Entering the room Lalita said, “Mama, I have brought tea, get up.”
On hearing that tea had been brought, Gurucharan sat up once again. Looking at Lalita, he felt soothed and half his problems seemed to melt away. Affectionately Gurucharan said, “You have kept a vigil all night, come and sit here, next to me.”
Lalita said with a soft smile, “I did not stay awake all night, Mama.”
Gurucharan answered, “That does not matter, come close to me.”
Lalita sat down beside him, and Gurucharan placing his hand on her head suddenly remarked aloud, “If only I could marry this blessed child of mine into an appropriately prosperous family, it would be a truly worthwhile achievement.”
With bowed head Lalita poured the teas a Gurucharan continued, “My dear, you have to labour very hard all the time in your poor Mama's household, don't you?”
Lalita shook her head, “Why do you feel that only I work all the time, Mama? Everybody work s and so do I.”
Now Gurucharan smiled, “So, Lalita, tell me, who will be taking care of the cooking today?”
Looking up she answered, “Why Mama, I will manage!”
Surprised, Gurucharan could only respond, “How will you manage, my dear? Do you know how to cook?”
“I do know, Mama. I have picked up everything from Mami.”
Putting down the tea cup Gurucharan said, “Really?”
“Oh yes! Mami has often shown me what to do and, having learnt so much from her, I have done the cooking on so many occasions,” saying which Lalita lowered her head once again. Laying his hand on her head, Gurucharan silently blessed her. One giant burden regarding the running of the house seemed to lift from his mind.
