- Indir Thakrun: [singing] Those who came before have passed on. And I'm left behind. A penniless beggar. Not a cowrie to my name. Look, my purse is empty... Lord, the day is done and evening falls. Ferry me across to the other shore...
- Sarbojaya Ray: You'll educate the boy, give him his sacred thread, teach him to worship the gods. Durga will find a good husband. Two meals a day, new clothes twice a year - what more could we want?
- Harihar Ray: We'll have all that and more. My ancestors were writers, after all. They left a legacy that can't be ignored. Just wait two years. My debts will be paid off and the house repaired, and you won't have to fix spinach and rice every day! How about that?
- Sarbojaya Ray: This is my home now too. But just look at it. It's like living in the jungle. Jackals prowling around as soon as night falls. No neighbors to sit and talk to. When you're not here, I'm terribly uneasy. But you wouldn't understand. You eat and sleep and go about your work, unconcerned whether you're paid or not. I had lots of dreams too. All the things I wanted to do...
- Harihar Ray: Listen to what I'm writing now: new and original plays and poems. When word gets around, the traveling troupes will come in droves. Where else can they get new material? Original plays don't grow on trees.
- Harihar Ray: I was collecting rents today when I met a distinguished looking fellow. He suddenly bowed deeply and said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I knew your father well. He often officiated as a priest at my house." "What's your name?" "Mahesh Biswas." "What do you want?" "I have something to ask you." "What?" "My whole family would like to be initiated next month. It would be wonderful if you could officiate." Quite wealthy people.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Did you say you'd do it?
- Harihar Ray: Are you crazy? Accept right off? They'd think I was hard up.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Let them. We are hard up.
- Harihar Ray: There could be a scandal if people found out his caste.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Who would tell them?
- Harihar Ray: You never know. Maybe you. I know how you women are.
- Sarbojaya Ray: I'm busy enough without running around telling your business.
- Harihar Ray: Don't be angry. The job's not going anywhere. I told him we'd discuss it after the festival. I mustn't seem overeager. Try to manage till then on what I gave you. That should cover clothes for the kids and a shawl for Auntie.
- Wandering Holy Man: [singing] Be charitable from the goodness of your heart. If I can reach the Mother's blessed feet, I shall place them on the lotus seat of my heart. What do I care for worldly wealth?
- Chinibas, Sweet-seller: Do you want anything? Delicious fried cream, sweet lentil balls, coconut candies, chandrapuli, sweet cheese balls.
- Harihar Ray: No matter what people say, Mr. Ray is a good man. Here you are. Three months' wages - 24 rupees. Count it. I'll quickly say my evening prayers.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Listen - you lived in Benares a long time. Do people know you there?
- Harihar Ray: Some certainly do.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Isn't there a ghat by the river where priests sing and recite from the scriptures?
- Harihar Ray: It's called Dashashamedh Ghat.
- Sarbojaya Ray: They earn a lot there, right?
- Harihar Ray: I suppose.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Then let's go.
- Harihar Ray: We can't do that.
- Sarbojaya Ray: Why not?
- Harihar Ray: How can we? I left there to return here to my ancestral home. I can't go the other direction now.
- Indir Thakrun: Just then a demoness appeared. "Krik, krak, krud, I smell human blood. Who lies awake in my temple?" The blue prince slept while the red prince kept watch. In the second watch of the night, the demoness appeared again. "Krik, krak, krud, I smell human blood. Who lies awake in my temple?"
- Durga: Holy pond and flower garland, who worships here in the noonday sun? It is I, Leelavati, sister of my brothers. May my sons be numberless, and may I die by the holy Ganges. Mother Goddess, counsel me. I know not how to pray. Grant me this blessing.
- Indir Thakrun: What's going on? What's going on here? Huh? What's the matter? What's going on? Sarbajaya, what is it?
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
