Wanderers Chapter 6- Modern History

The afternoon ran away but the evening was yet to come. Pratap kept searching for Ajabde but she was nowhere to be seen. Last time he had seen her was during lunch. She was missing; no other ladies were also seen so he concluded that she is with the ladies and will not return easily. He just rested by himself.

Around the time to sunset all the men rushed into his room and took he to the men’s dormitory where all the men had gathered. They gave him the traditional Bhil’s outfit.

“Kunwarsa agar aap bura na manenge toh kya aap aaj ke Utsav mein Bhil ka paridhan pehen sakte hai??”

“Punja ji agar sab yeh hi pehen rahe hai toh hum bhi yeh hi pehnenge”

“Dhayawad Kunwarsa”

Pratap got ready and came out like a Bhil.

The other side the ladies did not allow Ajabde to even venture out to get ready and check on Pratap. They provided her with a plate which surprised her.

“Ajabde kyaa hum apse kuch maang sakte hai??”

“Jo mangna hai mangiye”

“Ajabde kya aap aaj ke Utsav mein humara paridhan pehen sakti hai??”

“Yeh toh humara saubhagya hai hi hume aapka paridhan pehene ko prapth ho raha hai”

Ajabde got into the outfits of the Bhils and returned like a Bhil lady. Her adornment was done by the ladies itself. It was as though she was to marry any Bhil. They made her wear number of different sized bangles from above her elbows. The jewellery was heavy and was difficult to carry around.

 The sun set and all had gathered in the open ground. One eyes constantly searched for some one. She was dressed in such a way that he hadn’t expected. She was so pretty and was dressed like an angel.

She came and sat next to him. All the ladies took position next to their other half. It was begin of the program. The head i.e. Rana Punja announced the beginning of the function.

Few old ladies came forward with some small girls and started singing the traditional folk lore. This was all not needed when they both were there for one other. He was looking into her and she was looking into him. It had been years after they had been like this.

After Amar’s birth it was so difficult to spend quality time and then he married on the compulsion for political alliance and then the war deprived them of some private time or outing.

This one was really needed to come back to the one self. The song was done and all the men and women took a standing position with both facing each other. Both of them were clueless about this. They had no idea about what was going on there. They planned to follow the elders.

They too stood up and took positions. Ajabde stood facing Pratap. The other men placed left hand on the hip of the ladies and ladies placed left hand on the men’s shoulder. Pratap and Ajabde too followed. The right hands were held. Both followed.

The steps started. Pratap and Ajabde followed. The men moved with one leg towards the women while women moved backwards. This continued alternatively i.e. once men moved towards women while the second time the women moved towards the mein.

Then the women left the men’s shoulder and went up and down. This continued for few rounds. Then the women moved away from the men while the men pulled them and got them to bend from their back on their hand.

Then they leave the hands and the men stand at a place while women go around the men. The men hold their hand and make then go round and round. All the men and women hold hands and slowly move.   

Finally the man’s carry their better halves and go round and round. Ajabde was really uncomfortable about this but then all this was in favour of Pratap.

The dances stopped and all settled back. The dinner was served. All had the food and the men lit the bonfire.

All gathered around the bonfire in pairs. The husband and wife went back to the dance position. All of them did this and slowly and steadily swung around the fire. They converse for a while about their love life.

“Waise hum kahe toh hume lagta hai hi aap jaise Bhil bhi aise Utsav karte hai…Mewar mein yeh sab nahi hota”

“Dhanyawad Kunwar Pratap”

“Hume bhi nahi lagta ta ki Bhilo ke Utsav mein yeh hota tha”

“Baisa yeh sab toh kuch bhi nahi…kabhi aur dekha denge humara Utsav”

“Zaroor Rana Punja ji”

“Abhi aagya de hume sabhi”

After the lovey dovely conversations all went to rest.

Next morning Pratap and Ajabde departed for their settlement. The letter was sent to ask for a horse and a palanquin to be sent to the place from where they were sent back.