Today was the 11th day death ceremony of her dearest Ravi. She couldn't believe that it was just last week that they had a four hour long Riyaz** - Ravi as always on his beloved Veena**! Despite the heart wrenching grief, Latika was thankful for this companionship that lasted more than seven decades.....
Indeed they had both come a long way from the tiny hamlet in interiors of Tanjore where they received their first lessons in Music. Now the house was filled with dignitaries from the world of Music who had come to pay their last respects to their beloved Ravi. As they stepped away, most of them silently bowed in front of Latika.
She jerked her head at the loud wails coming from the house backyard. As she strained her neck, she saw a few lady relatives gathered around Menaka - breaking her bangles**. Unconsciously, Latika's hand tightened over the pedant dangling on the chain around her neck.
Latika's mind as usual went back to the question that haunted her life for the last fifty years. What was she in Ravi's life? A friend? A Companion? Lead singer of his troupe? Or as Menaka accused her was she a Whore? A mistress?
Latika sighed and realized its time she made peace with it - Indeed as Ravi always told her, she was all this and more in his life! Mistress or not, she was thankful nobody could seize her Guru or his beloved "Veena' pendent from her .. A priceless family heirloom he gifted her on her sixtieth birthday!
This piece of fiction is in response to WT prompt of Dangling on the chain was………. Linking this to AtoZ challenge - V is for Veena. This story is highly inspired by the plot of the book - Mistress Shakespeare.
**Riyaz (also Riyaaz) is an Urdu language term used for music practice, for honing of Hindustani classical music vocal as well as instrument skills.
**The Veena is a plucked stringed instrument originating in ancient India, used mainly in Indian classical music.
**The widow will break her bangles and remove her bindi as well. Many Hindu women will remove their nose ring and toe rings as well on her husband's death
Indeed they had both come a long way from the tiny hamlet in interiors of Tanjore where they received their first lessons in Music. Now the house was filled with dignitaries from the world of Music who had come to pay their last respects to their beloved Ravi. As they stepped away, most of them silently bowed in front of Latika.
She jerked her head at the loud wails coming from the house backyard. As she strained her neck, she saw a few lady relatives gathered around Menaka - breaking her bangles**. Unconsciously, Latika's hand tightened over the pedant dangling on the chain around her neck.
Latika's mind as usual went back to the question that haunted her life for the last fifty years. What was she in Ravi's life? A friend? A Companion? Lead singer of his troupe? Or as Menaka accused her was she a Whore? A mistress?
Latika sighed and realized its time she made peace with it - Indeed as Ravi always told her, she was all this and more in his life! Mistress or not, she was thankful nobody could seize her Guru or his beloved "Veena' pendent from her .. A priceless family heirloom he gifted her on her sixtieth birthday!
This piece of fiction is in response to WT prompt of Dangling on the chain was………. Linking this to AtoZ challenge - V is for Veena. This story is highly inspired by the plot of the book - Mistress Shakespeare.
**Riyaz (also Riyaaz) is an Urdu language term used for music practice, for honing of Hindustani classical music vocal as well as instrument skills.
**The Veena is a plucked stringed instrument originating in ancient India, used mainly in Indian classical music.
**The widow will break her bangles and remove her bindi as well. Many Hindu women will remove their nose ring and toe rings as well on her husband's death
Beautiful, lovely story.. seven decades is a long time. To stay that long in a relation - be it with a person, or music, is a great thing.. :)
ReplyDeleteVery touching. Sometimes we don't need any names or labels....a relation of love is all it is. Simply Love. Beautifully written. And nice way to use the prompt :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a true to life story, Meena. So many relationships cannot be defined - but they give so much meaning, don't they?
ReplyDeletesometimes its the thought that counts for everything
ReplyDeletePhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/voices/
I reckon Beloo and Corinne. Sometimes we don't need to put labels or names on relationships. Some relationships are best undefined... They give meaning to our existence... Loved your story, it left me in deep thinking!
ReplyDeletenicely written Meena...sometimes it's strange to believe that the person is no more...the first line just caught on to me
ReplyDeleteV for Violated-Random Thoughts Naba
I loved the details about the breaking of the bangles. Thanks so much for sharing the unique perspective. :)
ReplyDeletesome unnamed relations are more pious than the named ones...a touching story!
ReplyDeleteMusic binds souls, it could be the best defined relation in this context. Nice post
ReplyDeleteThis was so beautiful Meena. Somehow reminded me of Pt. Ravi Shankar...
ReplyDeleteHow is the book? Sounds really interesting! Might pick it up soon..
Meena, love the story, brings to mind the song- pyar ko pyaar hi rehne do koi naam na do :)
ReplyDeleteLoved you story today Meena - very moving:-)
ReplyDeleteLovely story Veena. Told so well and in just a few sentences.Loved it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story!
ReplyDeleteThe same relationship could have such differing meanings (and names, perhaps) to different people. From each person's point of view, his/her meaning is the only correct one.
That's a lovely story, Meena!! Loved it!! Some relations are like that, mean a lot but unnamed and undefined!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story. I am so pleased she didn't break the bangle he had given her.
ReplyDeleteThe story of love, loss and legacy !! the way you've woven Lathika's thoughts is appreciable ! Some relations are like algebra, you don't know what the 'x' is and sometimes you don't even know how to find it out, but the equation is incomplete without it !!
ReplyDeleteThat tigtening of her grasp around the chain says so much! Is she clinging on to something far more precious than the pendant? A memory, perhaps? Well written Meena. Very evocative.
ReplyDeleteShailaja's post
Moving post, Meena. Love has no name and there is no legal document to safeguard love, it is just there in the hearts of lovers. Beuatiful story.
ReplyDeletenice story very well expressed, thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful and sensitive story that touched the heart. I am amazed how you give such a powerful voice to the Veena as a symbol of love and devotion.
ReplyDeletehttp://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/dangling-on-the-chain-was