Onto The Stage Slighted Souls And Other Stage Plays

by BS Murthy

M uthyal Rao: Narsiga, fetch your baap here and now. I'll find out why he failed to teach you howto respect your dora.

  Papa Rao: Why dora forgets about poor patels.

  Shaukar Suryam: Now why spoil our time with these men. Isn't it time to spend time with their women? Why not summon him to the gadi tomorrow.

  M uthyal Rao: Oh, how I've got carried away. Orey Narsiga, haven't you heard what Shaukar Saab said? Tell your abba to be at the gadi at eleven in the morning. Sharp eleven. [Exit: Narsimma in all silence.]

  Shaukar Suryam: Dora, didn't you see the defiant look in him. If this is going to be the trend with them, then what would the future portend us?

  Papa Rao: My son pesters me to shift to Karimnagar but I thought there's no point in becoming a nonentity there. Now that these too don't khatir us any more, maybe it calls for a rethink on my part.

  Shaukar Suryam: Don’t lose heart Papa Rao Patel. Wait and watch as dora takes Yeliigadu to task. Won't Narsigadu fall in line then?

  Papa Rao: Dora, looks like it has turned out to be two swords in a sheath syndrome now. It's either they or us, and that's for sure.

  M uthyal Rao: Papa Rao Patel, all I can say is, wait till the morrow.

  Shaukar Suryam: Dora, do remember, the proof of pudding is in the eating.

  M uthyal Rao: Let come the dinner time. [He gets up.]

  [Exit: Others too get up. Curtains down.]

  Scene -10

  [Curtains up: M uthyal Rao, Papa Rao and Shaukar Suryam in the courtyard of M uthyal Rao's gadi.]

  Papa Rao: Why dora, Yeliigadu hasn't turned up so far!

  Shaukar Suryam: Weil, won't he need time to pickup courage to come?

  M uthyal Rao: And gather his wits as well.

  [Enter: Head Constable Veeraiah amidst their laughter.]

  Veeraiah: What makes the dora so mirthful, that too in these naxal times!

  M uthyal Rao: Oh, leave it Veeraiah, what brings you here so often? Is it a second set-up or what?

  Veeraiah: Dora, with sarkari salary where's the scope for a havaldar having a chinnillu?

  Shaukar Suryam: M aintain wife with salary, and sustain keep with mamools. Isn't it the norm with the sarkari naukars?

  Veeraiah: Shaukar Saab, it was the case in the good old days. But now, it's the politicians that are lining their pockets, leaving us with soiled hands. By the way, is there any fish here that's not in your net already?

  M uthyal Rao: With so many brothels in the town why cry foul Veeraiah. Raid a den and you're in. Isn't it as simple as that?

  Veeraiah: Dora, we're more at raiding naxal hideouts these days. Now it's all about braving bullets and not pulling pallus. Oh, these annalu and their god-damn intent to kill cops.

  Papa Rao: M ori Saab, do you smeii a rat here or what?

  Veeraiah: Well, we suspect that M adanna Dalam has a mole here.

  M uthyal Rao: Who could that be?

  Veeraiah: Dora, looks like itsYellaiah'sson Narsimma. Once he was Madanna's roommate at the SC-ST Hostel.

  Papa Rao: So, he's just a step away from joining his gang.

  Veeraiah: Who knows by my next visit, he would've gone underground. Well we all have to keep an eye on him.

  M uthyal Rao: Don't worry Veeraiah, leave that to me.

  Veeraiah: It will surely make myjob easy. Yellostha dora.

  [Exit: Veeraiah.]

  Shaukar Suryam: Dora, won't that explain Narsigadu's impudence?

  Papa Rao: Now it's high time our dora gets tough with him.

  M uthyal Rao: Let Yelligadu come and then seethetamaasha.

  Shaukar Suryam: But why is there no sign of him yet?

  Papa Rao: Who knows if Narsigadu cared to tell him at all?

  M uthyal Rao: M aybe it's possible. It's as if the rascal is already putting on naxal airs.

  Papa Rao: If we fail to act now, it might even send wrong signals to them.

  Shaukar Suryam: Why, it will be surely taken as our weakness.

  M uthyal Rao: Why not I send my men to drag them here together.

  Papa Rao: Better we make an example of both of them in their own backyard dora. That would send the right signals to one and all.

  Shaukar Suryam: What do you say about that dora?

  M uthyal Rao [Gets up]: Come, let's nip it in the bud. [He gets up.]

  [Exit: Others too get up. Curtains down.]

  Scene -11

  [Curtains up: Yellaiah's hut of scene -1 in the dalit mohalla.]

  [Enter: M uthyal Rao, Papa Rao and Sahukar Suryam with their walking sticks and their henchmen.]

  Papa Rao: Orey Yelliga.

  Yellaiah [From inside]: Dandaalu Patel garu.

  [Enter: Yellaiah with folded hands.]

  Yellaiah: Why take the trouble of coming here dora. You could've sent word to me.

  M uthyal Rao: Yera, didn't Narsigadu tell you?

  Yellaiah: He told me nothing dora.

  M uthyal Rao: Where's that rascal?

  Yellaiah: He left in the morning dora, I don't know where to.

  M uthyal Rao [Raising the walking stick]: Jhootakor, don't tell lies, tell us where he is.

  Yellaiah: Believe me dora, I really don’t know where he has gone. Please tell me what's wrong with him, and I will set him right.

  Sahukar Suryam: Dora, if only we set right the father, the son gets it right, won’t he?

  [Muthyal Rao strikes Yellaiah with his walking stick followed by Papa Rao and Sahukar Suryam: As Yellaiah falls on the ground, they beat him still, hurling abuses at him. All the while the terrified onlookers watch helplessly.]

  M uthyal Rao: Yedava naayaala, if you want to stay here, send your son to the gadi.

  [Enter: Sarakka from outside, and goes to Yellaiah.]

  Muthyal Rao [Pulling Sarakka away from Yellaiah]: Arre, how I failed to notice this lass all these days?

  Yellaiah: She's just a kid dora.

  M uthyal Rao: Bhosdike, do you think your dora is blind or what?

  Papa Rao: Don't worry Yelliga; we'll let her taste the sweetness of life before her brother tastes its bitterness.

  Yellaiah: Dora, it won’t go well with ammorlu, Sarakka and Sammakka. Know she's born with their blessings.

  Papa Rao (Beating Yellaiah with his stick): So you want to invoke their curse on us.

  M uthyal Rao: Try sending your ammoru Sammakka to save your daughter Sarakka.

  [Exit: Muthyal Rao dragging a wailing Sarakka, followed by Papa Rao, Shaukar Suryam and the henchmen.]

  [The neighbours gather around Yellaiah. Someone fetches him some water that he drinks. Yellaiah slowly goes into the hut as all leave.]

  [Enter: Narsimma after a while and finds a distraught Yellaiah ]

  Narsimma: Why what happened?

  Yellaiah: But why did you offend the dora?

  Narsimma: Well, he called me Narsiga and I told him that I'm Narsimma. Has he taken it out on you or what?

  Yellaiah: Don't you know these peddollu are quick to take offence. Didn't your mother bind you to bear till you're a B.A.? But still you turn a hotheaded at the least provocation.

  Narsimma: Why, didn't I bear the banduldoddi? Or did I fail to keep my cool after the police lockup. Animals too retort but we, oh how we're conditioned not to protest even. Oh, what a life we lead, if it can be called life at all. But don't try to bind me with that sentiment any more. Enough is enough.

  Yellaiah: Please yourself with your foolhardy as we pay the price for it.

  Narsimma: Why where's Sarakka?

  Yellaiah: What I can tell you? [He cries no end.]

  Narsimma: Why don't you tell me what happened to her?

  Yellaiah: Oh how your amma died protesting against the injustice to her brother's daughter. Failing to protect my own daughter why am I still alive? Oh what an accursed life.

  [Enter Sarakka with tattered clothes and shattered look. As Yellaiah takes her into his arms, Narsimma picks up a sickle from the bamboo work.]

  Narsimma: Who's that?

  Sarakka:
Not one, it's three of them.

  Narsimma [Raising the sickle.]: Tell me who they are? I'll see their end.

  Yellaiah: Why put your life at risk as if we're not harmed enough. Won’t they see your end before you raise your hand?

  [Narsimma throws the weapon in frustration, and folds about Sarakka in emotion]

  Narsimma: Oh, if only I acted in time, I would've been Madanna's deputy by now. Who would've dared touch you then?

  Yellaiah: It’s as well you're not. Now don't get carried away in the heat of the moment and ruin your life. In time, all this will come to pass any way.

  Narsimma: Now that they've tasted our blood, do you think they won't thirst for more of it. Can't I see this as their proxy war against M adanna?

  Yellaiah: Whatever, lay low till you get your degree, and all will be fine thereafter.

  Narsimma: Oh the god-damn degree. Of what avail is it when my sister's life is in tatters.

  Sarakka: If anything, your Renu's life is worse for she has to endure more of it. Oh, how she longs for you.

  Yellaiah: Sarakka don't be crazy and incite him further. Don't you know whoso revolted came to grief? Have you forgotten what happened to your mother? Don't they say devils tread where angels fear. Let him not spoil the show after all the preparation. Once he gets a job, we'll get rid of this hell and be done with them.

  Narsimma: Patience beyond a point is cowardice naayana. Didn't amma prove that point in the panchayat? And even if we get away from here, our folks remain entrapped all the same. Its better I die fighting the peddollu than live a slighted soul.

  Yellaiah: But don't you see the police are shooting these naxals like stray dogs these days.

  Narsimma: It's worth dying for the downtrodden than live as one. I've made up my mind now; I won't let you live as their vassals any longer.

  Sarakka: Anna, now I've no reason to live than to be avenged. And if that helps our dalit cause as well, won't I have a purpose added to it. Oh, how I'm raring to go now.

  Yellaiah: Why there's no thought for your old father? Don't you know I've vested all my interests in you? Do you want to throw me to the wolves?

  Narsimma: No emotional blackmail would do now naayana. Why, with both of us in the dalam, who would dare come near you? If land lends them strength, gun gives us power, won't it?

  Sarakka: If only amma had a sickle in her hand then, that bloody Papi Reddy wouldn't have been alive now? With a gun in hand, won't I show them the difference now?

  Narsimma to Sarakka: Wait till I brief M adanna and send for you. Any way, it won't be long. Bye till then [Goes to Yellaiah and takes his hand.] Be assured no harm would ever come to you.

  [Exit: Narsimma as Sarakka sees him off.]

  Yellaiah [Falling on the floor]: M alii, don't you see how our hopes have collapsed like a pack of cards? Oh, God only knows what would happen now?

  [Curtains down.]

  Scene -12

  [Curtains up: M adanna, M allanna, Srisailam and Narsimma in a jungle hideout.]

  M adanna to Narsimma: So, the bird has come home to roost after all.

  Narsimma: Driven out of its hearth so to say.

  M allanna: How peddanna has been waiting for this day.

  M adanna: Well, who doesn't want to have a strategic brain like his?

  Srisailam: Oh, how he used to turn the tables on your opponents at every turn.

  M adanna: Wait and see what a difference he makes to the dalit cause. [Turns to Naesimma.] But how did you achieve your nirvana Narsimma?

  Narsimma: Oh, how my sister was raped, and for what reason? It's just because I protested their calling me Narsiga.

  M adanna: I hope it's not just your hurt that drove you here

  Narsimma: Why, I’ve lost patience for a patient change.

  Srisailam: Peddanna, to be fair to Narsimma, he too feels that it calls for a little arm-twisting besides some brainstorming. I know that temperamentally he's all for revolutionary opposition, but ironically it was his circumstances that kept him away from the People's War in the beginning and brought him into it in the end.

  Narsimma: How well you've read me anna. Now, with the end of my dilemma, won't they begin to feel the heat of my hurt?

  Madanna: Mark my words Mallanna, wounded that he is, he's going to revolutionize the revolutionary opposition itself.

  Srisailam: Why its Ugra Narsimma the peddollu have to contend with now.

  Narsimma: Why have you forgiven the cops already?

  Srisailam: How can I?

  Narsimma to M adanna: Peddanna, my sister Sarakka too is itching to join us.

  Mallanna: Why not, our dalam will have one more motivated member in it. (Turns to M adanna) What do you say peddanna? Won't that herald women cadres?

  M adanna: Why not take all the members into confidence. I don't want them to carry the impression that it's our joint enterprise. M oreover, as it involves women, you better ascertain their views.

  [Exit: Mallanna.]

  Srisailam: Don't we need to be cautious in our move? What if it turns out to be the ideological dilution in a romantic setting? Well, I'm not speaking for myself as I swore to be single.

  Narsimma: What if they are ideologically compatible, won't they contribute in their own way. Instead of keeping them away altogether, why not we wed them to our struggle as our wives.

  M adanna: Well, let's wait for the feedback.

  [Enter: Mallanna.]

  M allanna: They're all for it peddanna.

  M adanna: Now, three of you together put procedures in place. Let it also be known that it's innovation in planning and daring in operation that decides who climbs up the ladder, and nothing else, gender included. By now all know M adanna doesn't play favourites.

  Narsimma: It's my word that I shall never try to allow my closeness to peddanna affect my attitude towards others. I shall strive to win the trust and affection of all in every possible way.

  M adanna: Mallanna may fetch Narsimma's sister.

  [Exit: M allanna. Curtains down.]

  Scene -13

  [Curtains up: M adanna, Srisailam and Narsimma in the jungle hideout of scene -12.]

  [Enter: Sarakka ushered in by Mallanna. Narsimma goes up and takes her hand.]

  Narsimma: How is naayana?

  Sarakka: Don't worry; he's reconciling.

  Narsimma to M adanna: She's Sarakka, my sister.

  M adanna: Warm welcome Saroopa. Don't you like your alias?

  Sarakka: Thanks for the welcome and the alias as well.

  M adanna: M aybe you're smart, but life here is tough, tougher than you could've imagined it to be.

  Sarakka: Didn't I have a taste of it trekking all the way.

  M adanna: Being a single female here, it could be odd even.

  Sarakka: And so I've come with my companion.

  Narsimma: Who's that?

  Sarakka: Let the leader show the green light, and then you could see for yourself.

  M adanna: Interesting and intriguing even, coming on recommendation yourself, you have another to commend to our dalam. Okay, go ahead.

  [Exit: Sarakka leaving a perplexed Narsimma.]

  [Enter: Renuka with Sarakka. Narsimma goes up to Renuka and takes her hand.]

  Renuka: I'm Narsimma's Renuka. Annalu may excuse my trespass.

  M adanna: Welcome Renakka. But what brings you here?

  Renuka: To seek redress for myself and to serve our cause as well.

  M adanna: What's your grievance like?

  Renuka: I'm wronged by my mother and abused by my man.

  M adanna: What's the evidence to prove your accusation?

  Renuka: Your friend Narsimma can provide the evidence and my cousin Sarakka can bear witness to my travails.

  [Narsimma and Renuka murmur into M adanna's ears in turns.]

  M adanna: Now that their guilt is established beyond doubt, what about the punishment?

  Renuka: Death to my mother, and I would like to put my man'sfate in your hands.

 
; M adanna: How do you justify the exemplary punishment to a woman, that too your mother?

  Renuka: She knew that I don't share her idea of dalit life as pandering to the peddoliu. Knowing that her brother makes his living by pimping for them, still she coerced me into marrying him knowing fully well that I'm in love with my baava. What's worse, it's she who turned her brother into a pimp to serve her ends. Isn't she an inimical woman, wife, mother and sister all rolled into one. I believe she deserves to die.

  M adanna: What about your man who has harmed you no less?

  Renuka: Well it's I who married him though against my will. Sure he bedded me with that Papi Reddy, and I failed to resist him on my own. Now I don't want to punish him with borrowed strength.

  M adanna: I appreciate your sense of justice and invite you to be the conscience keeper of the dalam.

  Renuka: Peddanna, I'm honoured indeed.

  M adanna: Now, besides confirming the sentencing of Anasuya, I pronounce death to Saailu as well for his anti-dalit activities. But for our dalam it's an irony to punish the errant dalits ahead of the erring dora.

  Narsimma: Coinciding with their execution, why not we have a dalit adalat at Rampur to try its dora and his cohorts.

  M adanna: Well, it's tactically sound. All may assist Malianna in planning things.

  Srisailam to Mallanna: Didn't I tell you Narsimma makes a difference to the revolutionary opposition.

  M allanna: Don't I know that M adanna is spot on when it comes to judging people. Now that he has his alter ego in tow, won't it be a time of nightmares for them?

  [Curtains down.]

  Scene -14

  [Curtains up: M adanna, Srisailam, Narsimma, Sarakka and Renuka (all in the dalam's uniform) sit on the dais around the mango tree of the scenes - 4, 6 & 9 as armed naxals (also in the same uniform) stand besides them. A stream of villagers gathers there.]

  [Enter: Anna (1) of the dalam.]

  Anna (1): Peddanna, we've got them.

  Madanna: Usher them in.

  [Exit: Anna (1)]

  [Enter: Anna (1) and Anna (2) with bleary eyed M uthyal Rao, Papa Rao, Shaukar Suryam, Papi Reddy, and Rami Reddy with his son Narsi Reddy. Srisailam motions to them to sit.]

  Narsimma: With the dalit adalat trying the gram panchayat, well, what a day it is going to be for the revolutionary opposition. But why is Narsi Reddy brought here?