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By:

Shoma A. Chatterji

21 August 2024 at 10:49:40 am

The Pallbearer’s Tragedy

Three decades after its premiere, Rangakarmee’s Mayyat remains a searing theatrical indictment of caste. Rangakarmee is perhaps the only theatre group that has been producing and performing plays in Hindi in Kolkata for 50 years this year. Founded and headed by the late Usha Ganguly, it is still as active and dynamic in presenting Hindi plays mainly new and sometimes recreating for the new audience, old plays that are timeless in their content and their appeal. The amazing feature of Mayyat...

The Pallbearer’s Tragedy

Three decades after its premiere, Rangakarmee’s Mayyat remains a searing theatrical indictment of caste. Rangakarmee is perhaps the only theatre group that has been producing and performing plays in Hindi in Kolkata for 50 years this year. Founded and headed by the late Usha Ganguly, it is still as active and dynamic in presenting Hindi plays mainly new and sometimes recreating for the new audience, old plays that are timeless in their content and their appeal. The amazing feature of Mayyat is that it was first performed by Usha Ganguly and her troupe way back in 1997 and has already performed around 500 shows spanning 30 years and signifies the cross-generational reach and popularity of the play. We saw a group of absolutely new actors dedicated to Rangakarmee. Their performance defined the strict discipline, the constant workouts and rehearsals to keep mobile and flexible because the very big cast needed to be perfect in body, mind and spirit during each 45-minute performance. What does the word Maiyyat mean? It is said to have its roots in Arabic and literally, it translates as ‘dead body’ or ‘corpse.’ The play is rooted in the deep internalization among the low castes of their exploitation and torture by the Brahmins of their village. The Brahmins are proud in their gait, their body language and even in their pure form of dress with the holy thread of Brahminism proudly on display. The custom of the proud, arrogant and rude Brahmins is to choose at least one among the four untouchables to become the pall-bearer when someone of the upper-caste dies. Instead of feeling sad or insulted, the chosen untouchable feels blessed and proud for being allowed by this strange custom of becoming a fake “Brahmin” if even for one day. Lakku is one such untouchable who lives somewhere near Aurangabad and leads a miserable life of poverty with the burden of a mentally deranged, motherless son he takes care of. The pall is decorated heavily with flowers and instead of looking like a bourse, it is decorated with lots of flowers like a palanquin. Someone obviously among the Brahmins is dead and the other Brahmins draw lots to find out which untouchable will be chosen to offer his shoulder to the bourse. `When Lakku’s name comes up in the shuffling of the paper chips, he is thrilled that at least for one day, he will enjoy the ‘blessing’ of becoming a “Brahmin.” But forced to run through the village on an empty stomach and with a weak body, Lakku collapses and dies before the bourse can reach the crematorium. Now, the question is – who will carry his body and carry it to the cremation ground? The entire performance, with 23 theatre actors, originally scripted, designed and directed by Usha Ganguly, is now performed by a new young cast under the guidance, training and supervision of Amal Saha, Deepesh Rajak, and Anirudh Sarkar. It has been conceived and designed like a musical opera with every Brahmin member of the cast, including the young women, dressed traditionally in pristine white with lots of marigold garlands and a sandalwood tikka adorning their foreheads. Though there are dialogues in the performance, these are either among the leading and decisive members among the Brahmins or scoldings and threats from the Brahmins to the four members from the untouchable tribe, each one representing a different low caste. These four men, alongwith Lakku and his mentally retarded son, keep waiting eagerly in one corner of the proscenium for the results of the lots to be drawn. They hug each other for joy when their names are announced and Lakku specially is thrilled with the responsibility of being pallbearer and becoming a Brahmin for just one night. Whose corpse is being carried in the bourse is not important. What is important is who are the pall bearers? At least, the Brahmins are not. What one carries home after watching a performance-play like Mayyat is the marvellous synchronization of the entire female cast wandering right around the proscenium space singing songs in complete harmony with not a note of error and the Brahmin men discussing, arguing and quarrelling over not how the corpse will be cremated but which low-caste man will become the pallbearer for one night. The bottom-line is caste is a continuous, historical evil. But should it remain so? (The writer is a noted film scholar. Views personal.)

From Holiday Breaks to a Holiday Life

As the holiday season draws to a close and the new year approaches, many of us are reflecting on the year gone by and planning for the year ahead. It is a time filled with joy, celebration, and thoughtful giving.


But have you ever wondered why we need to escape from work to truly enjoy ourselves? Why can’t every day feel like a holiday season?


Well, it can. The secret lies in gifting your future self through investing.


One gift that keeps on giving, whether you are celebrating, partying, traveling, or simply relaxing, is the power of money working for you. The beauty of investing is that, even during the holiday season, your investments can continue growing quietly in the background, ready to deliver rewards in the future.


As we welcome the new year, it is the perfect time to think about how to make your money work harder for you in 2026. Strategic investing allows your wealth to grow even while you take time off. The key, of course, is to invest sufficiently and wisely, ensuring that your money compounds while you enjoy life’s festivities.


Investing is a habit

Investing isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy or financial experts. It is for anyone who wants to build a secure financial future. Saving and investing are habits. Start small if you need to, but start. Be consistent, invest sufficiently and frequently, and stay invested.


More importantly, make sure your investments align with your financial goals, are invested in inflation-beating assets and always make informed decisions.


Twenty years is enough

The ultimate goal? Achieve financial freedom in two decades of investing. For those first 20 years, you will look forward to holiday seasons as a time to relax, celebrate, and rejuvenate. But after 20 years of smart, consistent investing, your whole year should become your holiday season.


Take Action Now

As the new year approaches, it is a great time to reassess your financial plans and set new goals. Whether you are just starting or looking to refine your portfolio, now is the perfect time to position your money for growth in 2026. Consider it a gift to your future self - a way to ensure long-term success.


So, as you celebrate the season and look ahead to new beginnings, remember: with smart investing, your holiday season does not have to be limited to just a few weeks. Here’s to a year of financial growth and endless possibilities!


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

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