by Vasu Velamur
With her stomach that created sounds, Vindhya was in no mood to wait for a consensus. She marched straight towards the door and then with a big bang, she kicked the door. There was a loud noise, and the impact sent a sharp pain through her legs and she fell flat. The sight was comical, like what you would view in a Charlie Chaplin movie. None of the boys could control their laughter, but they tried to be sincere to avoid it. In trying to avoid their laughter, both of them forgot to notice that she was on the ground in pain. This irritated her a lot more.
“Stop it, guys. I will kill you when I get up. I will come after you guys for sure” she shouted in pain.
“No worries Vin, stay there we have captured the way out. Thanks to you as always” said Vashist with his eyes in the opposite direction. While Ranga looked at the roof to avoid any eye contact.
One thing that came out of this exercise was that they realized the door opened only from the inside. So Vashist helped Vindhya get up again and then asked her to use the iron rod and pull it. She did exactly as told, and the door opened like a butter spread.
They were all stunned to see a massive crowd in front of them. The crowd was also stunned to see three young people dressed in something so strange. The strange thing for the friends was that there were 70-80 people present there. Some more ran from behind to join them, and yet no one helped. What was strange to these tribal people was how did they enter their village head’s house?
Vindhya stepped forward and waved her hands as a peaceful gesture, and came outside. The entire group remained still, and she could now guess where they were. They were right in the middle of a town of tribal and it resembled Assam to her. She struggled to start a conversation with them. She gestured big namaskar with folded hands and then bowed to them all.
The entire group then did the namaskar back to her. Still, the silence was unbroken. Then finally Vindhya said to them “Dhek le bhaiyon and behano - yah kaun see jagah hai”
She waited for a long time, and there was no reply. She tried to switch to other languages and tried. While one of the young girls who stood in the front row said something back to her, “Phi dei mano?”
“Maybe this sounds a lot like Bengali” whispered Vashisht, who came behind Vindhya. He too was also curious to see where they were this time around.
“Do you know for sure? So keep quiet while I converse with them”
“Why not try gesturing along with your Hindi”
“Good, but let me think for a moment”
The girl again shouted, this time a little louder, “Phi dei mano?”
Some kind of flash hit Vashist. He requests Vindhya to wait and goes back into the hut and returns with the device in his hand. Now he gestured to the small tribal girl to talk again. She responded with a much louder voice, “Phi dei mano?”
The device instantly translated the message “Who are you?”. They all got excited and the device also explained that the dialect was Khasi. It’s used the majority in the mountain regions of Meghalaya. The latitude and longitude came up and also the name of the place was displayed in bold. It was Shillong. There was jubilation now with the crowd and to kick start a conversation, Vashist then typed a phrase. “Hello” and the device returned, “Kumno” which he shouted back and the entire crowd clapped and was happy.
“This thing can’t go on, what do we do?”
“Let see, at least we have something to understand what they say”
“Shillong, hmmm,“ sighed Vindhya “they never will understand my concept of Vegetarian”
“What’s your concept”
“Look, you guys only want the food to be vegetarian, but my concept is a lot deeper. It starts from the utensils themselves. Get it”
“Be happy that you are alive, don’t start your tantrums now. Let us see how to get to our goal and get back to our times quick”
While they discussed, the young girl listened to them with rapt attention. She was very enthusiastic about their conversation. So Vindhya turned back to her and gestured to her what she wanted.
“Nothing madam” said the girl a little afraid
“What, do you know English?”
“Yes, Madam, but only a little. I have gone to school only till the third form”
“The third form?” reacted Vindhya and then adjusted her T-shirt a little “Ooh, which year is this?”
“This is 1914”
“Which Month?”
“April, you people don’t even know this. You look from outside of my country”
“No, no girl, we are also from India only. Chennai - wait no Madras”
“Cannot believe” said the girl and turned towards the crowds. She told Vindhya "wait I will tell them about you and then come back”
“La Ki naMadras. Ki wan ban pynshlur ïa ngi” and she turned back. She spoke to Vindhya “I told them you were from Madras and you encourage us”
“Which day is it today?”
“13th and tomorrow is 14th Tuesday”
“Wow, it’s great to be here for the new year”
“What new year?”
“No - In Madras we celebrate April 14th as the new year. Remembered that”
Vashist pushed Vindhya aside and spoke to the girl, “Hey girl, can you tell me something.”
“What”
“Where can I find this person?” and showed the device to the girl.
Astonished was the girl and afraid too. She stood there like frozen in time and Vashisht said to her, “Girl, do you know this person”
“How did you get this person into this small thing? Are you people some kind of a witch?”
“No, no, we all are your friends and come to help this person”
“You say you want to help him but do not know who he is or where he will be?”
Vindhya rushed back inside the hut since she knew the crowd would go mad if this girl gets frightened. Also, she was sure that the girl told the crowd that they were all witches. So she pushed Vashisht back and told him to hide the device. She then got the center of attention again.
“Look girl, we came here with the help of the Madras tribe to help your tribe. we are looking out for him. We have little information but for sure can help him” said a confident Vindhya.
“You don’t have to go anywhere, he will come to you if”
“What is that if?”
“If you can stay in this same hut, he will come in the evening”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes 100% sure”
“Can I ask you how?”
“This is the tribe’s head hut and the person whom you are looking for is the head of our tribe”
“Then we better shift to another hut. We don’t want to destroy your living”
“No, it’s fine. We only have one hut here. All the others live in the open space for the moment”
“Can I know your tribe’s head name?”
“He is also my father by the way” smiled the girl “his name is U Kiang Nangbah”
“And your sweet name”
“Banrilin and yours”
“My name is Vindhya. His name is Vashist, and that person is Ranga”
“Welcome you all to our land, the land of the clouds - Meghalaya. We are in a small city called Shillong”
“Nice, and how do you speak English?”
“Only my father and I know this language” she turned pale. “The Foreigners who came from some other place have taken control over us. To communicate and give instructions they teach us this language to me and my father”
“Don’t worry kid, pretty soon these white guys will go from this place”
“That’s for sure? Promise, how soon” her face lit up when she heard these words.
“Soon before you become a beautiful princess” comforted Vindhya. “Tell me when will your father come”
“He will be here before night falls, for sure. My mother has also gone with him so he will come back.”
“How are you so sure?” Vashist barged into the
conversation. He could not keep his curiosity tied for a long time.
“No woman in our tribe gets permission for an overnight journey. So I am sure”
“It’s going to 4, so let us go out and explore this place and come back before your father returns”
“Sure, I’ll come with you to show you around the place” she jumped in happiness. Then she turned towards the crowd and said “Don jong ngi lok. Ngin wan phai har ka por babiang”
The crowd dispersed, and Vindhya could not believe it. The entire crowd listened to the small girl with such obedience. She did not want her mother to watch this scene for sure.
“What did you tell them?”
“I said I’m taking you guys out and will come back soon”
“Why are they all not happy?”
“No one gets to leave outside the community when the head is not there, but using you as an excuse I escaped”
“Ooh cute, but it is safe, right? We all need something to eat first”
“We do that on the way” she said and ran towards the end of the pathway. The group of friends ran behind her and, as usual, Vashist was the last and already puffed and panted.
∞∞∞
Chapter-13
Holy Shrine, Here We Come
Monday 04:49 PM
It was Vashist who first broke the tranquility during their walk. He probed Banrilin “Is there a place we can get something to eat?”
“It’s nearby and we are going all the way there since you are from the South of Vindhyas. So I assumed you would not like our food. There is only one small vegetarian mess and I am taking you there”
“Great Banrilin, like the way you understand people”
“So learn from her Vashist” snapped in Vindhya “you can’t have it your way forever.” She then turned to her “Banrilin dear, after food where are we going?”
“First, we go to the marketplace and try to get some local dress for you”
“Wow, I like this plan but we do not have money”
“Where we go shopping we don’t need money”
“So you have a Mastercard”
“I don’t have any card, it’s not needed since I am coming guys”
"Why?"
"Nobody charges the head's family"
“OK, after that?”
“We first go to Umiam Lake and from there we trek to Mawphlang forest, that is a very sacred forest for our tribes”
“Do we have that much time?” Vindhya looked at Vashist with a razor-sharp focus. “With this guy’s agility and that too after food, I doubt”
“I have taken all that into account, his speed, stamina, and interest and then only decided”
“So is that small place the hotel?”
“Yes kong”
“Kong???”
“Yes, it means sister in our language” she pointed to the small setup by the path “that is the place I was referring to”
They entered a cramped shop-like setup that looked to accommodate only 4 people at a time. When noticed that vegetarian cuisine was not in vogue in this place, one cannot expect any better. Ranga was convenient, but Vashist struggled to fit in. Another point was his appetite. When hungry, he gobbles anything within his hand’s reach. He has been empty since the grand lunch at the palace when they left Rajasthan.
Vindhya was audacious and ordered anything which was a vegetarian cuisine. The lady in the shop told her they had an item called Putharo. Vindhya ordered it and then turned towards Banrilin and asked her “What is a Putharo”
“So knowing nothing you ordered?”
“No, since you did not object I believe I ordered something good”
“Well, Putharo is the closest to your Idlis. It is a steamed rice cake where the rice gets molded into an earthen pot and then baked.”
Vashist yielded to his temptation at last, “Do they have any desserts”
“Desserts? meaning what?”
“Sorry dear, any local sweets”
“Ooh, you need to try the Pukhlien from this very shop”
“What is it?” asked Vindhya first
“Pukhlien is the local delicacy of our state - Meghalaya. It is cooked from a mixture of Jaggery and powdered rice and they fry it in a pan till golden-brown. This mixture is then made into a batter and fried in oil. A nice dish to have”
“Then get 4 servings, one for each, please”
Banrilin turned and ordered, and they feasted without limits. No one expected such good pure vegetarian food in this part of the country in their wildest dreams. It was flawless. The entire stomach got stuffed over the limits for all. The group jammed themselves into some more eateries for their long evening. They first headed for the lake and then planned for a curtailed forest trek. The lake mesmerized them on initial view. They expected something similar to the lake in Kodaikanal, but what they saw was something out of the ordinary. The sun almost down the horizon chipped into the scenery was undeniable.
“How did this lake get its name?” Vindhya asked in curiosity while Vashist burst into laughter, unable to hold it back.
“Why that sniggering?”
“Well, the lake’s named Umiam Lake then I guess it must be from a water source named Umiam. What a wonderful and thoughtful question” Vashist continued his laughter.
“Stop it, I was asking her what is the meaning of Umiam”.
“Let me try” interjected Banrilin and stopped the potential big fight before it started.
“Well, you did what I am supposed to do” applauded Ranga.
“The actual translation of the word Umiam in Khasi means ‘ water of tears’. It also has another meaning.” After a brief pause “… called the ‘crying river’ or ‘lake of tears’”
“From what I see, I do not see any dejections in this place. Yet it has got this meaning” a surprised Vashisht on the meaning of the word.
“You can never appreciate beauty or nature, Vashy. All you can do is to get addicted to the electronics and materials” lamented Vindhya. “It’s beyond your comprehension for emotions and poetry”
“Well, see if you can tell me what you understand?”
“OK friends” assembled Banrilin and stopped Ranga from opening his mouth. “Do you want to hear the full story or can we fight the remaining time that we have?”
“OK, but ask him to keep quiet and not interrupt you for some time”
Vashisht raised his hands and nodded acceptance, and Ranga smiled and relaxed. He could have his peace of mind for some time now.
“According to folklore, once upon a time, two sisters from heaven came down. They wanted to stay in the abode of clouds -Meghalaya. Both the sisters started the journey but because of some reason, one sister did not make it. Only one of them reached this place. When she reached, she looked around for the other sister and found her missing.”
“What happened?” interjected Vashist, and then signaled sorry. He kept his finger on the mouth and signaled to carry on with the story.
“The story is that she lost her way around the place and even as of today is searching for it. Coming back, the sister who reached earth-filled herself with guilt on her decision to come here. So the tears from her eyes filled this lake. This is the tale which we follow till now in our tribes.”
“Wow, a gripping story, and also the environment is true to its style - great” a mesmerized Vindhya. The beauty of the setting sun and the mountains in the background enthralled her.
Ranga for once came out of his shell and yelled out, “Ooh Ooh”. He was on top of his excitement. Never had they seen such an expression from the soberest guy in the group. “Look at it, the mountain looks like a lady sleeping and her head this way towards the river. Coincides with the story”
“Wow Ranga, an element of yours has changed since you have came here” said a surprised Vindhya.
“Yes, this surreal scene makes me wonder if we are in India or Scotland”
“Scotland? the palace where the current rulers of this land come fr
om?” enquired Banrilin
“Oh No” said Ranga and then remembered that they were still in 1910. It was the British rule still “Yeah, the same people from the United Kingdom”
“I hate them, very cruel people. They have spoilt our land a lot”
“Let’s talk about it after dinner but first let us enjoy the scenery”
After spending time in total stillness, Banrilin said that it was time. They had to return to their community and they could go on the forest trek later. Ranga said “I have had enough, wish I can come to this place once more and enjoy it. I have fallen in love with the place”
“Sure baih I will bring you here tomorrow” she pointed to the east direction as the way to return. While returning, there was total tranquility and everyone displayed tiredness. They had a lot of physical work that evening, never had they walked this distance in an entire month. Vashist was the most affected person but dragged himself along. He did not want the tag sloth attached to him. The distance between the lake and the hut was 5Kms. A total capacity of a 2 Kms walk was the team’s value, hence it was rough. The light waned quickly and did not help them in their cause.
Monday 07:23 PM
The light vanished, and darkness had covered the entire place. The darkness was so black that the entire sky was visible with an unbelievable number of stars. Ranga was the first one to break the monotony through the return journey.
“I suppose I can see more stars here than I have seen in all my entire college life totalled”
“What?” responded Banrilin “this sky today has the least number of stars that I have seen”
“You will not understand, it’s because we have a high raised skyline back in our place”
“What does skyline mean? Never heard of it”
“It’s building - houses built one on top of others”
“Why, don’t you have land space?”
“It’s something that only time can tell but my feeling is the nature here is far better than ours”
