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.
Gurucharan Babu was the kind of person whom people of all ages found it easy to get along with. On a mere two -to-three days' acquaintance, an easy friendship had sprung up between him and Girin. Gurucharan loved to argue, though he had no firm convictions of his own, and in the same manner, he in no way took umbrage at being vanquished in battle either.
He would invite Girin over for a cup of tea in the evening. The day would be all but over by the time Gurucharan got back from office. While washing up he would ask, “Lalita, can I have a cup of tea, dear? Kali, go and ask your Girin Mama to drop by.” Then, endless arguments would begin over innumerable cups of tea.
Sometimes Lalita would sit quietly by her uncle and listen to the conversation. On those days Girin would virtually spew forth arguments and counter-arguments. Quite often the debate would be against the ills of modern society. The heartlessness of society, illogical persecution and torture-all these were aspects that were heatedly discussed by the two men.
Though there was virtually nothing concrete to support their statements, Girin's thoughts found an echo in Gurucharan's turbulent and worry-ridden heart. Ultimately, he would nod and say, “You are right, Girin. Who does not want to see his daughter married well and at the right time? But then, how does one do so? According to the dictums of society, if a girl has grown up, get her married. But do they help with the arrangements? Take my example, Girin, this very house has been mortgaged in the process of arranging for a daughter's wedding. In a short while I will have to take to the streets with my family. Society will then not say, “Come, take shelter in my house.” What do you say?”
If Girin wanted to reply to this question, he wouldn't be given a chance, for Gurucharan would provide all the replies himself. “Very true!” he would say. “It is best that caste disappears from society. Then, weather we eat or not, at least we can live in peace. A society that does not, sympathise with the poor, does not help in moments of crisis and can only threaten and punish-such a society is not for me, or for those who are poor like me; it is a society for the rich. Fine, let the rich remain, there is nothing in such a society for us.” And, having spoken his mind out so boldly, Gurucharan would fall silent.
Lalita did not merely listen with rapt attention to all the arguments, but at night would try to logically understand all that had been said, thinking them over till she fell asleep. Lalita loved her uncle, so whatever Girin said in support of her uncle's viewpoint seemed to be the veritable truth to her. Her uncle was becoming so agitated primarily because of her; he was almost forgetting to eat or drink-so overburdened was he; her peace-loving Mama, he was in such turmoil only because he had taken her under his wing! If he did not get her married off soon, he would become a social outcast, for harbouring an overage unmarried woman. But if I marry and return home a widow, Lalita thought, then there will be no shame. But, where is the difference between a widow and a spinster! Why should giving shelter to one be shameful, while giving shelter to the other was perfectly acceptable?
The daily conversations that she heard were obviously leaving a deep impression on Lalita's mind. An echo of Girin Babu's comments would emerge when she was alone, and once again, thoroughly analyzing them, Lalita would think to herself, “Truly, all that Girin Babu says it extremely logical,” and fell asleep.
Lalita could not but have a high opinion of or be in absolute compliance with anyone who tried to understand her uncle's problems and reach out to him. At present that person was Girin and she began to worship him in earnest.
Gradually she too, like Gurucharan, began to look forward to the tea sessions in the evening.
Initially Girin used to address Lalita rather formally. But Gurucharan forbade him to do so, and requested him to treat her normally. Ever since, Girin had progressed to a casual intimacy.
One day, Girin asked, “Don't you have tea, Lalita?”
Lowering her eyes, Lalita shook her head; Gurucharan replied, “Her Shekhar da has forbidden it. He does not like women drinking tea;
It was clear to Lalita that the reply did not please Girin. On Saturday, the tea Session used to go on till much later than usual and it was a Saturday that day. They had finished with drinking tea.
Gurucharan had not been able to participate all that much wholeheartedly in the discussions that had been initiated by Girin today- every once in a while he would lose his concentration and become absentminded.
Girin noticed this and asked, “Perhaps you are not feeling very well today?”
Removing the hookah from his mouth, Gurucharan responded, “I am absolutely fine.”
