Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 21

Surangi was helping Vidya string flowers into garlands. "Vidyatai, why is our Gauri so basic? The girls in my class gush about their Gauri idol which they decorate richly in silk and gold. Our Gauri is just pebbles in a platter instead." Surangi expressed her dissent to the only person she could communicate freely with. Vidya was much more than Madhav's sister, she was a friend and an agony aunt to Surangi.  The boundaries Surangi sensed with the older ladies in the house were not apparent with Vidya. Her curious mind made her pose dozens of questions and Vidya tried to answer them as patiently as she could. She smiled at her brother's wife, it was typical of Surangi to question everything.

"Gauri traditions in Maharashtra are varied. Some families worship a balsam plant as Gauri before immersing it symbolically. Others may use clay idols. Wealthy families worship images cast in silver and beautifully crafted by jewellers. Our tradition of using pebbles as Gauri stems from the humble beginnings of our community. During the eighteenth century many Chitpawans followed the Peshwa from their native Konkan to settle in places like Satara and Pune looking for opportunities. Pitted against the prosperous Deshastha their lifestyle stood out in stark contrast."

"The words that best define us Konkanastha Brahmins are modest and understated. It means that we like to keep things simple and subtle. Among us both the rich and poor alike worship these riverside pebbles, in all homes Gauri is offered the same delicacy called ghavan-ghaatley (rice pancakes and rice-coconut porridge), the ingredients for which are part of our daily fare- paddy grown in our fields and coconuts from our yard. The flowers we offer the Gods bloom around our homes. Over her three day stay we place before Gauri our traditional foods including bhakri with sauteed  leafy greens, puran poli and karanji. Whether we make our offerings on a silver salver or a mere banana leaf can hardly be the basis to assess devotion. Do you understand what I am trying to say?" Vidya asked.

"I think what you are saying is that we value thrift!" Surangi responded. "I could not have put it better myself, my dear vahini! Actually there is an undercurrent of rivalry between the the prosperous Deshastha and the frugal Konkanastha people since the Peshwai era. While the actual differences are numerous they often manifest themselves in day to day life. For example, they call us miserly and ungenerous while we complain that their food is a tad too sweet." Vidya smiled as she placed the fresh garlands in the flower basket. "Another question, is Gauri supposed to be Ganpati's mother or his sister? Because we pamper her like a daughter paying a visit to her natal home. Just like your arrival here got us very excited. Before I met you I did not know what to expect but now I feel you should never leave." Surangi's expression was so earnest it made Vidya smile.

"Vahinibai, no matter how attached Gauri is to her natal home she must return to her husband, she cannot forget that she is only visiting. Just like I have to go away after the festival." Vidya's words struck Surangi like a bolt of lightning. "But you cannot leave! I mean, maybe you can stay a little longer." The words sounded like a plea. "Surangi, Gaju's father has not seen him so far. He will be here soon after the festival to take us home with him. For as long as I am here let us enjoy the auspicious presence of Gauri-Ganpati amid us." Vidya rose to her feet picking up the basket of garlands. Surangi fell silent. Vidya's explanation was convincing enough but her attachment to Vidya was too strong. It was going to be hard to see her go away.

The festival feast was prepared meticulously and the ritual of offerings was made. Only a few families observed the five day Gauri-Ganpati, most homes in the neighbourhood simply immersed their Ganpati idols on the second day. The Oaks invited some ladies for lunch, in keeping with the tradition of suvasini bhojan. Madhav, Waman and Surangi were in the forefront, helping with the arrangements for the meal service. Yashoda gave Surangi the responsibility of handing out haldi-kumkum and flowers to the ladies. So occupied was she in discharging her duties that she nearly forgot about her conversation with Vidya. 

Before the immersion of Gaur-Ganpati several rituals were performed. The family members marched in procession to the riverbank chanting out appeals to ask the divine guests to visit them again the following year. As she watched the idols being immersed Surangi became emotional. Madhav was quick to notice the tears streaming down her cheeks. "There is no need to cry, Gauri-Ganpati will come back to our home in a year's time!" The husband within Madhav was reacting to the tears in his wife's eyes. Why do wives shed tears, don't they know that it makes us feel uncomfortable when they cry? We feel responsible for their distress and don't know how to deal with it, he thought to himself.

Feeling awkward Surangi wiped her tears away. She did not want Madhav to see her vulnerable side. After the visarjan the Oak family returned home. Even when filled with people the house seemed empty, Gauri-Ganpati having ruled over their hearts for nearly a week. The sombre mood rekindled the memory of Surangi's recent conversation with Vidya and she went to bed feeling depressed. When she woke up the next morning she rushed to have a bath and later to pick the finest flowers for Vidya. The entire day she played with Gaju and chatted nineteen to the dozen with Waman and Vidya, only taking a break for lunch and when Gaju had to be nursed.

"Why are you moping since last evening?" Madhav asked. He had followed her to her favourite spot in the backyard, the magnolia tree. Vidya had told him about Surangi's reaction to her impending departure. "You are upset that Tai is going home, aren't you?" He asked, coming to the point. Surangi nodded silently. "Bhaoji is arriving tomorrow to pick her up. No matter how attached we are to her the truth is she has her own home and family." Madhav tried to put things across simply. "Even I know that. But she was happy here, maybe she could stay a little longer!" Surangi said in defence. 

"And what about her husband? How can she deprive him of her company for so long? Surangi, a couple must live together, that is how it is meant to be. Would you like staying here or at your father's place?" Madhav's question was rhetorical. Surangi looked within her to answer it truthfully. No matter which way she considered it the answer remained the same. It was time to confess how she really felt. "I miss my home and my parents but I prefer staying here now. This feels more like home to me!" She admitted. "Then I rest my case." Madhav had a triumphant smile on his face as he led Surangi back to the home where her heart truly belonged.