‘And into that gate they shall enter, and in that house they shall
dwell, where there shall be no cloud nor sun, no darkness nor dazzling, but one
equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but
one equal possession, no foes nor friends, but one equal communion and
identity, no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity.’
John Donne
UMRAO MARY JAAN
This is the
tragic story of a talented, beautiful, courtesan from the court of Nawab Wajid
Ali Shah in Lucknow. The story is told through the eyes of a Victorian woman
,Mary Jane (Mary jaan) ,whose life runs in parallel and is inexorably
inter-linked with Umrao Jaan’s life and
shared tragedy. The story unites the different strands of human, social and
political events - the rise of British imperialism and Raj, turbulent late
nineteenth century India, devastation of war, the exploitation of women both in
Mughal India and Victorian England, and the heroic story of two exceptional
women who rise above this maelstrom to form a unique bond as a beacon of
humanity.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Mary : story teller friend and ex- rival of Umrao Jaan
Emily: Grand daughter of Mary
Umrao jaan: courtesan of Lucknown
Mirza Ruswa: Umrao ‘s biographer
Ameeran: original name of Umrao
Ameeran’s brother
Ameeran’s Father
Dilawar: Man who kidnaps Umrao’s
Dilawar’s crony
James: Mary ‘s husband First officer to the Resident
Anthony: friend of James
Young Mary: young girl that James marries
Mary’s friend
Wajid Ali Shah: King and Nawab of Lucknow
Bindadin :dancer in Wajid ‘s court founder of Kathak
Ustadji famous vocalist in Wajid Ali Shah
Bai: Umrao’s maid
Scene 1
An English sitting room
In the Victorian
Living Room an old lady (Mary) sits in an arm chair helping her grand-daughter
Emily with her hair- Emily is sitting
at her feet reading a book of poetry.( Music : Elgar, followed by Chopin and
then violins)
Emily: (reading
Campbell)
‘ The wind was a
torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.
The moon was a
ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.
The road was a
ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the
highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman
came riding, up to the old inn-door’
Mary: Still thinking of
Michael, you’re favourite Highwayman my love? He really stole your heart and
disappeared didn’t he?
Emily: I will see him
again wont I Grandma?
Mary: Of course you will darling (paraphrasing the
poem, running her hand over Emily’s hair, loving)
‘Grandma’s joy
and laughter
Emily, my GRAND, grand-daughter
Let me plait a
love-knot in your long black hair’.
Smoke, occludes
the sky, the sound of machine guns, then the acrid smoke gets thicker and from
the back ground screams of people dying and the cry ‘Mustard, mustard’!! Music
changes to Holtz The Planets (Mars the God of War),
A loud knock at
the door, insistent, incessant, louder –reaches a crescendo –‘ A telegram for
Mrs Burton, telegram for Mrs Burton’!!
Dear Mrs Burton –
with great sadness we report that on 26th March 1916 Captain Burton
of Grenadier Guards was killed at the battle of the Somme. He was a valiant
soldier and died in the line of duty protecting the King and country. We would
like to offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife, children and
family at this time.
Emily buries her
head in Mary’s lap – wracked with soundless sobs
Mary: (stage whisper)
Hush my child, hold me tight, you have to be brave, for you, for me…
Emily: Grandma, what am
I to do now?
Mary: Go on living my
baby, we have to go on living when our world seems to have died…
Emily: lifts her head
from Grandma’s lap, face upturned) but, but how?
Mary: I will help you
my child - the way Umrao Jaan helped me many years go….( begins to open the
Bureau to bring out a jewel Box)
Emily: (confused, not
understanding the relevance) what’s this – and who is Umrao Jaan?
Mary: This is a gift
from a friend, from Umrao Jaan, the Courtesan of Lucknow, and a woman who knew
all about living with loss. Let me tell you her story …( her gaze and mind
shifts thousands of miles away to another continent..
The jewel box is a lacquered damasked antique with a glass
mirror set in its lid and as she opens it resonates with the sound of Ghunghru,
sarangi , tabla and the voice of Umrao singing Daag the old lady replies-
So the story starts…. the glass mirror glints with the stage
light, dazzles and bares her soul and telescopes fifty years ago to mid
nineteenth century Lucknow.
Music ……
Scene 2
Umrao Jaan’s house
Umrao Jaan sitting on her bed seen through a
screen of beads. Backstage a large window with the troubled evening sky and the
moon shining through –‘a ghostly galleon tossed on cloudy seas;. Light should
simulate that of a solitary candle with Umrao’s face seen in the penumbra
Umrao looking out
at the window, writing a letter, humming …a ghazal about the moon -
‘Chandki saath kai dardein puraaney nikli
Background
distant sounds of a dancer practising Kathak with tabla, ghunghru and bols as
if coming from an adjoining room
Knock on the door – gentle, hesitant – ‘Adaab! I am
Mirza Ruswa, I have come to meet Umrao Jaan Ada, the famous poet, musician and
dancer of Lucknow. Can I come in?’
Umrao (replies in a soft, measured, sad
voice) if you are also ready to meet Umrao the popular courtesan and Tawaif (a
pause) –please do. I know you by name
Mirza Ruswa – your visit is an honour.
Mirza: It is a greater honour for me to
meet Umrao Jaan Ada in person
Umrao: What’s so special? Kaon Umrao,
kiski Jaan, Kaisi Ada? I was born Ameeran from Faizabad , now I respond to any name that people care to call me by.
Mirza: Not just your name – you ARE TRULY
beautiful just as they say…
Umrao: (pointing outside the window) more
beautiful Mirza Saab than the moon out there, like a dream ship sailing in the
skies? But do you know what cargo it carries, what bodies’ lie rotting inside
its hull?
Mirza: (mesmerised) there is so much pain –
in the words you speak, the music you sing – but no trace of bitterness
Umrao: Mirza saab, beautiful words and
melodies are born from pain, people write poetry to replace love (fighting
self-control, choked)
Mirza: I am sorry to have caused you so much
distress Umrao Begum, tell me more about Ameeran
Umrao: (after a pause) I don’t remember clearly, it happened
so many years ago, almost to another person.(A long pause- background noises
emerge of a fair – sound of fireworks, rides, excited children screaming) It
was the day of Ram Lila and there was a Nautanki in town. Ruswa Mirza, Do you
like eating bataashas?
Scene 3
Dilawar’s kidnapping of Ameeran
Announcer runs in beating his drum:
Come one come
all, to the final night at the village hall
The last day of
the Nautanki, Nawab Saab’s Radha kanhaiya Kissa Ki’
Full of action
Garmaa garam, we end with Sita Haran
Men fighting,
women crying, children giving them talian!
If you don’t
come, you lose out – tera kya hoga kaaliya!!
(Runs out, drums and voice can be heard in
the distance)
Enter Ameeran and her brother with her father
Brother: Abbu can we get
a good central seat so that we can see the players and dances
Abbu: Don’t worry my son I will hold you on my
shoulders, so that you can see
Ameeran: (excited, breathless) will they come every
year? You know what they have brought with them? There is an enormous light
that burns with a whooshing noise, they call it a gas light, once you light it
stays on forever, they have a magic tent
with jugglers, contortionists and a ugly crooked dwarf and the bird, it’s
called a myena sings your name back, Abbu can I have one?
Abbu: You certainly can
have a Bataasha my darling, I will go and get some
Ameeran: I want to join the Nautanki, dance like Helen
with Sultana Daaku, I want to go away, see the world, wear rich clothes lined
with zari, munch Zaarda paan, it’s so boring in Faisabad we don’t get to do
anything…..
Brother: Yes please, Abbu, can we go travelling?
Abbu (to Ameeran): And
what will we do when you go away? We may be poor people my daughter but
with pride and izzat; as Daroga Saab,
there are so many evil men I have put away without taking a paisa of rishwaat; we have tried to bring you up
well; one day when you get married you will go away, Stay here while I
get you some bataasha (goes off, the
crowd fills up quickly, including Dilawar and his crony)
Dilawar: (sibiliant to
his crony) There is that damned Daroga’s daughter – let’s give him a present he
will remember forever – (miming) ‘ I swear on the the sacred book that I saw
these two steal from the villagers of Faizabad’ –ye daroga ka baccha bahut
izzatdar aur imandaar hai –this man has remarkable integrity and honesty -
how about stealing his daughter to return the favour? (Bursts into raucous
laughter as the Nautanki players come on stage).
Dancers come on
stage, set up their costumes, instruments and the dance of Sita haran
starts. The audience increases with lots
of appreciation and ‘Wah wah’s. As the dance increases in tempo with the 10
headed Ravana circling Sita; Dilawar edges closer to Ameeran and at the very
point that Ravana emerges from his disguise as a deer, Dilawar throws off his
shawl , to wrap Ameeran in his embrace, gags her and drags her off the stage .
Ravana meanwhile has abducted Sita who is crying – the music reaches a
crescendo mixed with cries from Ameeran
–Abbu where are you? Help!’ to which Dilawar grotesquely replies ‘ main hun na tera Kanhaiya – meri pyari
Radha’ at which point Ameeran faints and goes limp. A silhouette of the 10
headed burning Ravana dominates the stage
The next scene
shows Dilawar and his crony criss- crossing the stage on the way to Lucknow
dragging Ameeran in a bundle like a sack, the scenery and backdrop changes from
rural countryside to urban Lucknow with the background music changing to a
Raagmala. Faint echoes of Ameeran’s cries become fainter and ultimately fall
silent. Sounds of Ghazal ‘Ah ko chahiye
ek umra asar honey tak, kaun jeeta tera zulf sahar honey tak’
Scene 4
Back to the Victorian living room
Mary; On and on they
went, dragging the poor girl to Lucknow. And her father, he was beside himself
with grief, he blamed himself for leaving a young girl alone in a large crowd,
searching high and low for his missing daughter ……
Emily: But Grandma how do you
know all this, how do you know the life story of a common Indian courtesan?
Mary: She was a courtesan but she certainly wasn’t
common! She became very close with me – an intimacy which your Grand-father
would have given his body and soul to share –especially his body, bless
my dear departed husband….(silent tears trickle down the winkled face) –(tries
to cover) – where are my glasses?
Emily fixes Mary with
a shocked knowing stare forgetting her own grief, the tick-tock of the
grandfather clock is heard as the two women sit in silence
Emily: (gasps finally)
A British captain and an Indian nautch
Girl!! You have lived with this secret for so many years ….
Mary: It was the high
noon of the Raj and the East India Company.
Company Bahadur , as the Indians called it, was trying to gobble up the
Mughal Empire. The Kingdom of Awadh with its mad musical monarch Wajid Ali Shah
ruling from Lucknow was the next piece of cake. Your Grandfather was the First
officer of the British Resident.
(Murmuring)
Darling, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the height
of Victorian piety and it was also the time of evil. It happened and It never
really happened, well, it could have but for Umrao. She said to your
grandfather ‘Saheb, I am only an Indian peasant girl from Faisabad. I am not
even a whole woman – just some stolen goods sold many years ago to Khanum, the
celebrated Kothawali Madame of Lucknow.
(Turning to Emily with indignation) Do you
know those villains sold her for hundred rupees ? But for the kindness of a
woman and her husband ,Bua Husseini and the Maulvi – Umrao would have lived as
a common prostitute. As it happened her
foster parents built her a heart of gold , taught her rhythm and grace; she
became a stunning beauty , the finest poet and dancer in all Lucknow – even
bewitched the Nawab’s son and fine British gentleman…. ( Starts crying again)
Emily: How did she meet Grand-father then?
Mary: Don’t you want to
know first how I met your grandfather? Believe it or not he fought for
me!
Scene 5
A Victorian Party where Mary loses her innocence
This scene
transforms to a Victorian Ball. Mary-Jane, the young debutante, early in her
teens, attends this London social event in the company of her family. Held at
the palace of an aristocrat, the Ball fills with ambitious men and amorous women, colonial
triumphal Victorian music (Holtz,Handel), cigar smoke, cruel hysterical
laughter and intoxicating gossip from the Raj. In the crowd Mary Jane is
separated from her family and meets two young officers full of alcohol-fuelled
bravado and sabre-rattling wit. The
encounter deteriorates into a melee as the more timid officer intervenes to
save Mary from the lecherous advances of his burlier friend. Mary marries him to return the favour.
Two drunk men stagger in supporting each other
James: I've taken my
fun where I've found it;
I've rogued an' I've ranged in my time;
I've 'ad my
pickin' o' sweet'earts,
An' four o' the lot was prime.
Tony: (mock tears) One was an
'arf-caste widow,
One was a woman at Prome,
One was the wife
of a jemadar-sais,
An' one is a girl at 'ome.
James: I really need a
good English girl - as a link to home , old sport. Just heard that I am going
to be posted in Lucknow as First officer to the resident in India in couple of
months’ time. The Company is trying to annexe the Kingdom of Oudh – Oudh,
Bengal and Hyderabad -once we control them we take over the whole country. But
we don’t tell the heathens that – we tell the Nabob we are his friend and
counsellor. (Bowing, smirking) We wish his subjects the very best – especially
the attractive female ones (winks) We are there to look after the darkies …
Tony: where would we
be without your high moral principles and international statesmanship! Off to India are you now? Phew- that too as
the First officer of the Resident! Obviously your old man knows someone, they
tell me that Oudh is ruled by a king who loves his wine, women and song - and
lots of them. Will your Victorian virility allow you any time on the job or
will it be entirely a pleasure seeker’s paradise?
James: Well, all work
and no play will definitely make James a dull boy old sport! A stallion can’t
fall asleep without its night mares!! Ha, ha, poor joke really!!
Mary and her
friend wander onto the stage obviously a bit lost.
Tony: (with a
lecherous stare) Now, now who do we have here, can we help you in any way
m’ladies?
Young Mary: We are lost, you see we thought we would take
a walk outside on the grounds but we
can’t now find our way back to the Hall.(A bit frightened and weepy) my parents
will be looking, can you help take us back please?
Tony: At your service, m’ladies , we always
endeavour to give satisfaction - I can take you anywhere you like – and (sotto
voce) any way you like!(tries to embrace Mary)
Mary: Stop it you, you
are not a proper gentleman, how dare you? (Shouting) help, help!!
James : embarrassed by his friends antics, struggles
with Tony) leave the poor girls alone!!
Tony: High moral
principles speaking again are they? From where I wonder - threesome or foursome
– that’s the question!
James: You bastard,
how dare you? (A fight ensues they come to blows and after the fight Tony lies
on the ground, Offers his coat to Mary who is shaking, cold) Let me walk you
and your friend back to the house , I do apologise for this man, he is really
not my friend ( Mary collapses in his arms)
Scene 6
Lights move to the Victorian living room with Mary and Emily
Mary: So you understand my darling, your grandfather
was really not a bad man, just a man of his generation. We got married two
months later just before he left for Lucknow, I moved to India after eight
months – a month before the Barakhana (stares into the distance)
Emily: What’s a Barakhana
and why are you looking like that?
Mary: A Barakhana , literally a large meal, is
an obnoxiously excessive party that the Company threw whenever they wanted to
bribe their way with the natives –(a pause) it was also the first time that I
met Umrao Jaan.
But let me tell
you first about the King and the courtesan!
Scene 7
Wajid Ali Shah’s palace: Inner room
Wajid
strumming his Tanpura, Bindadin with his pakhawaj, sarangi player and Ustaad
Basit Khan - Wajid in deep thought
Knock on the door
Bai (enters):
Jahapana, Khanum has sent you one of her
best girls from her Kotha. They say she is a very good dancer and musician as
well. But she is new and young– her name is Ameeran –she is very interested in music and dance
and wanted to see you - Khanum says please treat her kindly
Wajid: (irritated waving
away the messenger lady) How dare you -I am the gentlest soul in the world. Ask
the urchin to come and sit quietly in the corner –so long as she does not
disturb.(Umrao Jaan enters timidly, and courtseys formally, Wajid Ali shah does
not look up) There is no need for that -
just come in girl, show your respects to Ustadji and Maharajji (waving to her)
sit quietly in the corner, Bai will get you some sharbat. And don’t talk– this
is a room for dance, music and poetry only.
Turning to his musicians , sad) these Firangis won’t leave us alone Ustadji – all they want is
land, power, armies and war – all we want is peace, mausiki, shairi and
shatranj – what I really want to be is
Akhtar Piya the poet – we need some joy-
what was that composition of mine that you set in wonderful Raag
Bahaar?
Ustadji : (bowing) Indeed Nawab saab
or shall I say Akhtar Piya? may you be forever blessed for writing this
wonderful call to the ‘Phoolwala’ –the flower seller- to bring spring (basant)
into our hearts and `end our hearts’ loneliness. I hope this bandeesh - your
words and my tune -can be remembered always – whenever people need a joyous
song and dance to raise their spirits.
Phulawaale Kaunda mein
Ka basanta Gharawa mola le
Akhtar Piya son wo jahaa
kahiyo
Tanak sa biraha thor de
Sings the
bandeesh and then fast taans and sargams…
Bindadin Maharaj breaks into a fast tempo tukra on the
pakhawaj (unobserved by the three men Umrao jaan has got up and is keeping the
difficult teentaal beat with her feet and hands showing the Sum and khali)…
The pakhawaj
comes to the Sum with a tehai and just as Bindadinji is resuming his theka
Umrao Jaan begins a bol in the same tempo echoing the structure of the previous
tukra, Bindadinji initially nonplussed quickly takes up the accompaniment and
extemporises as Umrao follows the rhythm with her fees (saat sangat). Ustadji and Nawab saab are mesmerised, Ustadji keeps
the nagma on the harmonium and Wajid Ali shah keeps the taal with a flourish as
the musicians conclude with a crescendo.
Bindadin: (very impressed
by Umrao) Nawabsaab we do have a very special talent here! Unbelievable!!
Ustadji: (nodding in agreement) Wah, wah, kya baat!!
Wajid:(quite impressed
but feigning outer indifference) just beginners luck I should say and Maharajji
you made it simple so that she could keep pace with you
Bindadin: Not at all
sire, she dances like an Apsara, a princess!
Umrao: You gentlemen
are so kind – you treat a common tawaif like a princess!!
Wajid: and I treat all
my princesses like common tawaifs!!
(Guffaws amused by his own joke and following
Bindadin) Maharaji what about a little wager here? you have always wanted a good
disciple –( inspecting Umrao as if she were an inanimate object) with a bit of
cleaning up you could pass this wretched wench of as a stunning beauty –
(smiling) do you think with six months training you may be able to present her
at a Mujra as a dancing queen or even at those devilish Barakhanas the Firangi
Resident throws –as The Jewelled Courtesan of Lucknow – why don’t we call her
Umrao Jaan Ada?
I will give you
two pieces of silver if you can and it will be good amusement even if you
can't Are you up for it?
Bindadin:(excited) I have never refused your wishes my Lord – I am prepared to try.
(turning to Umrao ) It will be hard work my dear – do you agree with this
proposal?
Umrao : (visibly
moved very nervous by this unexpected development ) I,I just don't know what to
say.I don’t know whether I will be able to fulfil your high expectations. I will also have to ask Khanum’s permission.
Wajid: (bellowing) you
will be the most ungrateful creature that Khuda
ever created if you refuse this offer. Go and repeat this offer to
Khanum or to whoever else that owns you. Tell them that the great Bindadin
Maharaj has done you the unequalled honour of becoming your Guruji. If you say
yes and are willing to practise all day and night without food or sleep for six
months – you will be taken to my Pari Khana where you will be trained as the
Enchantress of Lucknow and the streets will be full of bodies of young men
fighting for your hand. However, If you fail, you will be tied to a heavy stone
and dumped into the Gomti so that your rotting body does not pollute the river
next day. Do I make myself clear – what’s your decision?
Brindadin: (moved as he sees Umrao confused and in tears) Nawabsaab, you cannot ask like that -she is very young and will
need some time to think about it. Come my child with me, I will take you to my
home and dancing school where you can meet my family, other pupils and many
musicians.
(exits with
Umrao)
Wajid (sudden change of
expression, looking visibly tired, walks
up to Basit Khan and puts a gentle hand on his shoulders): Ustadji, I don’t
know how long we will be able to preserve our magical land, our culture our Izzat , our labz. I know that all around us homes are burning and the day when
we have to leave our lovely city is fast approaching. Of late I have been
afflicted by a heavy heart Ustadji- I wrote an odd poem last night – I wonder
whether you can set it as a Bhairavi
thumri?
Ustaadji: As your highness
pleases - let us hear the verses and I will think of a tune.
Wajid: in these verses I have tried to feel the
sorrow of the departing bride as she leaves her parents and family to lead her
new life in another land. I fear one day , like the newly wed, we will feel the
same estrangement , when we leave our beloved city.
Sings:
Babul mora naihara chooto hi jai
Chaar kahaar mil, mori doliyaa uthaaye
Mora apanaa begana chhuTo hi jaaye
Anganaa to parbat bhaye, dehlii bhayi bides
Le babul ghar aappano, mai chali piya ke des
END OF FIRST HALF
A presentation backdrop (with shadow play) and a Rag Mala (music and appropriate
paintings) marks the passage of years, quickening from a serene Dhrupad to
sensuous kheyal to celebrate the
development of Umrao Jaan into a stylish courtesan, accomplished poet
and kathak dancer of outstanding beauty.
This is paralleled by
roll of battle drums and shadow play as the British tighten their reigns over
Awadh (Oudh). The procession of Nawabs of Oudh ends with Wazir Ali Shah – who
writes music and poetry under the pseudonym of Akhtar Piya and Qaisar – a man
of letters but completely effete and a stooge of his British master the
Resident of Lucknow.
Mary’s husband has moved to Lucknow as the powerful First
officer to the British Resident and a
friend of the Nawab Sultan. Their marriage , marked by recurrent infidelities-
Mary moves to a palatial colonial house full of servants but bereft of any
happiness.
Scene 8
The Residents House on the banks of the Gomti – a pleasant
Lucknow evening
James now the First Officer with the Resident, General Outram
and Sargent Major
Outram : So tell me
Captain , you have met the King, what sort of man is he?
James: very impressive
sir, young, writes plays, poetry, composes music, and comes across as a
sensible and sensitive man.
Outram:( suspicious ) I see , a monarch AND a philosopher hmmmm – (aside) such men are
dangerous. (turning to James) What sort
of poet is he, any good or do people read whatever he writes just because he is
King?
James: I think he is
very good sir. I once attended an evening at his Qaisarbagh Rahas Manzil and saw his play Radha Kanhaiya ka kissa – a great love story popular among the
Hindoos. The King is a practising Muslim and yet he played the main role of Krishna Kanhaiya. He dances well , takes
instructions from his court dancer Bindadin Maharaj – the best dancer in Hindoostan.
Outram: (sarcasm ): His Highness The Dancing Romeo Rex – Splendid
combination ! Do you know any of his
work, shall we hear some lines and make our own judgement?
James : of course sir. I
studied Urdu (Outram looks suspicious) to understand the Kings works. But it is
not just the king, there are so many poets in his court Ghalib, Daag……
Outram (sarcastic): going native are we now? Not going to run away with a Lucknow
nautch girl and planning to dump the fair maiden back home are you?
Seargent Major: (bringing in the drinks) We are spoilt for choices here in Lucknow if he is missing his
girl back in London. Here you are sir, some pink gin (turning to Outram) far
too serious this man, do I have your permission sir to show him some of the
action and distract him from this subversive Nabob and his decadent culture?
Outram: I have high plans for this young officer – we
don’t want the nabob and his dancing fairies to turn his career into a fairy
tale! Sargent Major, divert him from his
brooding thoughts. Let him sample the pleasures of Lucknow. Bring him back only
after he has had his fill.
Sargent Major: we will look
after him and make him forget his worries – he may have a few new worries not
worth writing home about!!
(Singing bawdily) Now I aren't no 'and with the ladies,
For, takin' 'em all along,
You never can say till you've tried 'em,
An' then you are like to be wrong.
There's times when you'll think that you
mightn't,
There's times when you'll know that you
might;
But the things you will learn from the
Yellow an' Brown,
They'll 'elp you a lot with the White!
Outram: You distract him while I write an indecent
proposal for the King, his crown or his head – an offer he cannot refuse!
Sargent major : What about his
crown with his head in it? Wouldn’t that be a trophy for the Natural History
Museum? Alongside the Elks and the Royal Bengal Tiger? Ha, ha, ha all these
Indian Guddhas !!
Outram: : (blowing out his
chest) We are proud to announce a new
species-- Homo Sapiens Decadence Pruriens Dancing Romeo Rex! A nice title for a
lecture at the Royal. Society!
Sargent Major: (copying the cue)
before we do that we need to sample the
female environment that has spawned this rare species Come Captain let us go –
while the night
is still young ( drags James off who appears caught in two moods – unwilling
but also a bit excited)
SCENE 9
At a Lucknow Kota ‘ The
Magic Carpet’
Doorman: The magic
carpet welcomes you to the beauties of the Land,
Come and while
your time away, with the spiciest and most bland
The tall and
lean, the short and plump, re-create the Arabian night
Our Ladies cater
to every taste, the customer is always right!
Jewels for the
crown, black or brown, singing, dancing and the rest...
All sixty-four
skills of the courtesan, assure you we have only the best!!
Suddenly spotting
James and the Sargent Major ‘over here Sirs, jewels for the crown, black or
brown! (repeats ) Jewels for the crown, sahibs!! A real passage to India!!
Sargent Major:(sarcastically)
jewels from the back passage of India ,more likely, Ha,ha!! They may cater to
every taste but are they clean? If not you will taste my laathee, you Gudhha!!
James: (a bit embarrassed, turning to the
sergeant-major) Shall we go now, lets come back tomorrow…
SM: What about doing justice to the twin royal
Orbs and the rigid Sceptre – the ones
between your legs?
James: (having second
thoughts) Shall we shelve this for another day – got to get ready for the Barakhana tomorrow ((turns to go,
suddenly hears a voice floating through the night- sounds of ghunghru -Ah ko chaahiye ek umr asr hone tak….)
what is that?
SM: Its Umrao Jaan,
the hottest piece of action in Lucknow – but she is supposed to be special ‘eyes only’ for the local nabobs – but as you
said the barakhana is tomorrow. We
will let you off….
Scene 10
The Barakhana
The scene moves
to a ‘Barakhana’ at the house of the British Resident –a most
opulent party thrown by the British for the Nawab Sultan and hi court.
Ostensibly it honours the Nawab but really it is a plot to consolidate the
British stranglehold on the Nawab’s jugular. The conversation is marked by
external courtesies and obeisance, conversations with double meanings and
hypocritical stage asides – which tell the real purpose of the day and the
contempt and mistrust that exists between the Resident and the Nawab. The star
acts of the day are the dances and songs by Umrao Jaan – the most celebrated courtesan
of Lucknow. In a glittering show of shairis, ghazals with dance – always tinged
with pathos – Umrao steals the heart of James, the First Officer. The set has
four groups of people (officers and petty royals) chatting, enter Outram with
Wajid and James and Sargeant Major…
Outram: (bowing to Wajid
Ali Shah, with exaggerated courtesy) This is a singular honour. To share a meal with a person is a
stamp of friendship; to share a Barakhana
, the biggest feast, with the Nawab of
Oudh is like sharing slices from a giant cake….
SM: (winking) Slices of
Hindoostan he means – and lets hope we get more than our fair share…
Wajid: (naïve) Thank you
Resident Saab. I know of your land , I taught myself English to read your great
Poet and Bard of Avon William Shakespeare
Outram: (bowing
theatrically) We are honoured by your presence Mr Nawabsaab. All we want is
that you enjoy our simple hospitality today (with false humility), and find it
within your gracious nature to forgive any shortcomings.. ( turning to James)
Make sure that His Grace wants for nothing…(turning to Wajid) would you like to
taste a piece of cake specially made for the occasion?
Wajid: (overwhelmed).Thank you Residentsaab. I am deeply moved . I have written a
poem, to remember this day and hope to present it one day in person to Queen
Victoria. They say that you British are the most cultured race in the world –
only you will understand the beauties of our own language …
Outram: of course your
majesty (aside to James) the King’s present has to be bit more material than a
poem such as ….the Kingdom of Oudh perhaps? (turning back to Wajid) but first we have prepared some wonderful
entertainment for you. People talk far and wide about your penchant for music
and dance. For today we have arranged the most talented dancer and singer in
all Lucknow, the most precious jewel in your crown….
Wajid: Umrao Jaan Ada? I
named her myself when she was brought to my court after two despicable men
stole her from her father’s house. She has learnt her music under the great
Bindadinji, they say she is the finest courtesan in lucknow- but only an
illiterate peasant will be diverted by her body, which covers a most gifted and
sensitive soul.
Outram : Nawabsahib As
they say in Latin’ Men sana in corpore
sano’ – a gifted mind in a gifted body –(with a wink noticing James’
consternation) perhaps not quite the literal translation but adapted for this
occasion!!
James: (to Wajid) Let me escort you to the banquet table and introduce you to our
guests. You will be seated next to the Resident and my wife Mary will give you
company and look after you through the day. (Takes him to Mary standing at the
side)….
My wife, your excellency, she has arrived in
Lucknow only a few days ago. She was a bit worried, leaving England , but I
have told her about Lucknow and what a
wonderful poet and musician you are…
Mary, this is the
Nawabsaab; Nawabsaab, this is wife Mary….
Mary: Enchanted Nawab
sahib!!
Wajid: (murmuring sincerely) More fragrant than the rose, as they say in my language….
As they sit down
the music starts and Umrao appears on the stage classically dressed ans asks
for permission to begin…
The main stage darkens, the music continues with sounds of
ghunghru and table and sarangi and aside stage lightens with elderly Mary and her
granddaughter
Mary: That was the
first time I saw Umrao Jaan (Emily is now listening with rapt attention). I
have never seen a kinder face lined with so much sadness my dear. Her delicate
hand gestures, the flowing motions of her body, the rhythmic rapid movements of
her feet, and the tinkle of the bells on her feet, her voice and the music were
like a trance. But it was her eyes - they were filled with hurt and oppression
that no one else noticed…’(Mary sighs). I saw that the Nawabsahib was mesmerised
but was more concerned by the way my darling husband was looking at her.
Emily: ‘Mischief thou
art afoot’ you must have thought ‘and it did run’!
The stage
darkens, Umrao Jaan , now a silhouette,
dances a beautiful Kathak piece with lots of appreciative ‘Wah Wahs ‘ in
the background.
Scene 11
James falls in love with Umrao, kills her paramour and has to
flee
There follows a
scene where James confesses his love to Umrao and in turn Umrao relates her
life story to him. James is shocked and
angry and during the intimate scene the couple are disturbed by one of Umrao’s
paramours who is insistent that he needs her company instantly. James is livid
and a fracas then ensues – where he runs the intruder with his sword. Immediately aware of his murder he seeks
advice from his Resident . Outram does
not approve of their relationship and advises him to be transferred out of
Lucknow. Umrao’s brief idyll is
shattered.
Umrao Jaan’s Kotha dimly lit with a
window at the back – moon shining through
Umrao is resting
on her bed , softly humming, reading the shairis of Ghalib. There is a knocking
at the door
Maid: Apse milne koi
saab aye huye hain, koi Firangi officer; madam there is a man who wishes to
meet you, he is a white man and will not have anyone else , we tried so much
(noises below ,shouting by James, pleading by the Kotha ladies)
James: (drunk) I will not be put
off , I will only have the best , you know that I can burn down the Magic Carpet if I want? (bursts through
the door, sees Umrao calm exterior , is a bit nonplussed)….I am sorry ,did not
mean to intrude,…..I was told about this star courtesan Umrao … do apologise..I am sorry..
Umrao: (with wan smile gesturing to others to withdraw, a bit
sarcastic) I am not sorry to see you, why are you sorry
to see me? Sahib I don’t think you are feeling very well , please have this
glass of water. I will call for some food and after you have eaten you will
feel better. You were looking for Umrao Jaan Ada , you said?
James: yes but she is a common street woman, I
apologise for my behaviour..
Umrao: Sahib what we seek we never find, what we find
we never prize or even recognise (her veil slips off as she turns toward him)
James: (gasps) you ARE Umrao
Jaan ! They say you are what dreams are made of – for a single night with you -
unto half my kingdom!
Umrao: You are so
generous, but only nightmares can breed in an unworthy courtesan’s chamber, go
back to your home Sahib, you must have a lovely wife waiting for you…share your
best dreams with her..
James: (still
hypnotised) Your celestial music, your haunting
voice, your disembodied movements, when you dance you have the rhythm of
the stars, you look like the ghost of a human being and an angel from another world at the same
time, sing to me Umrao Jaan just for one night (on his knees) I beg you
Umrao: I am a common
courtesan now although I cam from a respectable family, I don’t understand your
fine words , don’t waste them on me, (gasps, tells James her story) I will call
your carriage Sahib (James is very moved)
Commotion outside
, again shouts, drunken anger, door bursts open a man enters shoouting ‘no man,
even a firangee officer can keep me from my whore, I want to lie with Umrao
tonight , I want to taste her innermost pleasures
Ah there she is,
rushes up to Umrao, grabs her by her waist and shoulders
James driven with
rage takes hs sword and runs the intruder through “you rascal, you rogue, how
dare you…(the man slumps on the floor, bleeding, wretches, a few heaves and
then dies
James is
terrorised by the situation, at what he has done but Umrao is very composed
calls for the Bai and the sentries tells them to remove the dead body and turns
to James
Sahib, you are in
great danger, just leave at once before people come to know. There is a lot of
anger against the Firangees and I cant protect you any longer. Go ,Sahib, go
and don’t ever look behind.
Turning to Bai :
Le jao ye murda ko!!!
Scene 12
The house of James and Mary
Mary confronts James
after his return from the courtesan’s chambers. He physically assaults
Mary and after he has fallen into a drunken stupor Mary angrily rushes to Umrao
Jaan. She meets Umrao and her anger turns to tears as she hears the courtesan’s
life story.
Mary: How can you do this to me? Have you no shame?
Everyone is talking of your affair with this courtesan – this Umrao Jaan Ada –
I only see her as a common prostitute. Do you not have any feelings for me? Do
you not at least see how impossible a position I am in? I understand Outram has
signed an order for you to be transferred out of Lucknow – he thinks you are a
security threat – ‘the man has gone native’ ‘gone over to the other side,
cannot be depended on, the letter says ; is this what has become off this
ambitious upper class gentleman reduced to warming the beds of Lucknow wearing a Musselman’s dress - with an Indian slut? They will try you for
treachery -For a common nautch girl? Why? Why? (throws a statuette at him)
James: (drinking, chuckling, definitely inebriated, catching the
statuette easily)I always fielded well at slips in the school cricket team - but
I will answer your question. First of all she can make a wicked drink, second
she gives me respect, she recites poetry, sings, dances – and you my queen how
good are you at doing all those things? Shall I tie little bells on your feet
and get you to dance? And what about your horizontal skills? Do you need
tuition?(approaches Mary in a lewd manner)
Mary (in tears of anger, slaps James) Don’t touch me, Get out of this house and go to your wretched
whore that’s what she is, try and play those drums they play when she is
turning her body and turning the heads of debauches like you, get out (slaps
him again)!!
James (hitting her with drunken ferocity) You high minded slut, how dare you touch me; you know what I get
when I l am with her, I get peace, peace from your vain artifices and club
manners, peace when I can be the man that I want to be, not a little cog in the
wheel carrying out the orders of this mighty Raj …She is a better person than you
& I are,’Gunga Din’!!
Incessant knock on the door ‘Capain Burton, Captain Burton- Please report immediately to
the Resident – there have been native attacks on all Army units , please report
for duties at once!’ James rushes out, Mary distraught ,cries, gets ready to go
out in the night
Scene 13
Umrao’s chamber
Gunshots heard in the background, Umraos’s window shows Lucknow
on fire, the usually well-ordered room in disarray
A maid servant hurries into the room , obviously distressed
Maid servant: There is a firengee memsahib waiting to see
you. I explained to her that you cannot meet her in the middle of the night
like this. I told her that it is dangerous for her on the streets, with Lucknow
on fire, but she will not go away. She
keeps repeating ‘I have urgent personal business with Umrao Jaan’. What should
I do now?
Umrao: Bai, some people
have the luck of going through their
life bearing their own misfortunes, but I am more privileged – my life’s burden
is not heavy enough it seems before the almighty; I must share and lighten the burden of others
(sighs) I I know what this lady wants
and I am not in a position to give it …Bai, I have received so many men
in here, isn’t it amazing that this is the first time a woman has come calling
for me in the middle of the night (turns her back abruptly) bring her in
Mary comes in angry
Mary: Are you Umrao
Jaan?
Umrao: Please sit down
Begum Sahebaan -(a pause) I know why you
have come to see me Mary Jaan. It is too late to order tea, would you like to
have a paan?
Mary: You impudent
hussy …
Umrao: (interrupting) whore, nautch girl, tawaif, the
litany of names is quite extensive and apt Memsahib; sadly against my best
efforts your husband was taken in by my exterior, he does not realise that I am
like your firengee singing &dancing
doll; wind it up and it goes round making music until it stops dead , falling
silent and useless when the spring is fully unwound (pause) until someone else
pays to wind the doll up again. They don’t realise that they get the same tune
,the same action, every day.
Men, like your
husband Memsahibaan are like boys playing with their toys - even when they are
really playing with people’s lives. You speak to them but they
don’t listen; I really did Mary Jaan, told him to leave this purgatory
and return to you I really did (breaks down sobbing, with a faraway look),you
took so long Abba to get back to your Ameeran
with her bataasha, it has been such a long wait…
The figures in a frieze as there is re-run of the Ramlila night
and the kidnapping of Ameeran with the raucous and leering laughter of Dilawar
– the raagmala music returns
Mary: (initially
uncomprehending and then understands) sits still draws closer to Umrao , both
women take each other’s hands..
Scene 14
The frieze is interrupted by gunfire, the maid runs in
Maid: –madam, madam
they have surrounded the Resident’s house ,there has been a laathi charge but
the mob wont give in, they have already burnt a police station’..
Mary: My James is at the Residents House Umrao you
have to save him, please,please ..
Umrao: As long as I live
memsahib, he will live, but come with me , there is not a moment to be lost
(both women rush out….)
Scene 12
Lucknow has descended into war as the British attack the city.
Mary and her husband are surrounded by a lynching mob. Umrao saves the couple,
pleading with the leader , one of her ex-clients.
Mob (in front of the
Residence):
Hang him, hang
the firangee, let his soul burn in hell, they
burn our homes and rape our daughters, let them reap the results of
their crimes, hang him, cut his tongue out, bring out his guts, let his soul
rot in hell!!
Mary: No,no please
don’t –you all have families, wives; he is my husband, my only support –
please, please save him Umrao
Mob spokesman: stop your
pleading woman, otherwise we will string you up next to him; don’t you remember
how you firangees have destroyed our lives, our homes, our land? Do you know
what happened to my neighbour, they butchered him in the middle of the night
and then his wife and children starved to death…. String her up as well!
(mob moves towards Mary)
Umrao ( leaps
forward,eyes blazing, angry)and what of your own wife Miya saab? Shall I tell
everyone how you plead every night? (miming) Come on Umrao jaan once more, give
me the happiness and pleasure that I have been denied ever since I was jailed
to my female monster! But I am a common tawaif and you Miya saab inhabit a
different plane – of hypocriry and double standards- let this woman and her man
go immediately otherwise …….
Miya: Alright,(eager to
silence Umrao, turning to Mary) stop your whining woman we will let you and
your rakshahsh, rascal go – be grateful
for the streak of generosity that runs in the Lucknow character..
Umrao: and the stain of infidelity that runs through
its aristocracy …! Cut him loose before your own family decides to string you
up for dishonour!
Miya: Untie him , I am a kind man – I have been
moved by the pleas of mercy on the firangee’s behalf even if it comes from a
common tawaif. Go, go you infidel(speaking to James ) and take your whining
woman with you and return to your home.
If we ever see you again in this area we will deal without the mercy and
clemency that your undeserving soul has received today!
Mary runs to Umra ,in a flood of tears, as James completely
bewildered by the passage of immediate
events tries to recover from the brush with imminent death.
Mary: Umrao Meri Jaan, what have we done to deserve
this favour from you? Please ask for your price , anything , anything for
saving my husband’s life!
James: ( in shock , muttering like an idiot) Umrao, and I thought… Umrao.. you are an angel…
Umrao: Angels are useful only in heaven, on earth you
need help from wicked tawaifs like myself. Sahib and Memsahib , please leave
immediately, I cannot hold this mob any longer. You can see they are in close
discussion and may change their mind any moment. Go, go Sahib immediately and
don’t turn back , and memsahib – only one thing do I ask - please remember me if
possible with some mercy , so that your kindness and generosity may turn me
away from the Jahannum, the Hell that surely waits to swallow me.
Mary and James flee as the British soldiers come in and give
them protection.
A shadow play with soft, sad background music : Umrao destitute
, penniless returns to her original parental home in Faizabad. Her father is
dead and her brother and mother turn her away since she is a tawaif.
Her brother’s voice shouting:
Yahaan se chali jao , Ameeran ka intikal bahut saal pahale ho
chuka hain, meri koi bahin zinda nahin, apney tawaif ei kothey pe abhi waapas
chali jao.
My sister Ameeran
died in her childhood , I have no other
sister living, we do not know you Umrao Jaan , go back to your Kotha in
Lucknow. Never return to Faisabad and in
God’s name leave us in peace.
Umrao pleads, begs for an
embrace from her family but her brother turns away from her.
Scene 13
Umrao journeys
back to Lucknow, returns to her room. The scene returns to the same set with
her and Mirza Ruswa. The window is open showing a starlight night Umrao hums a
Ghalib ghazal, Mirza listening
‘Dayim padha hua tere dar par nahi huun mai
Khak eysee zindagi pe ki pat-thar nahi hun mai
Yaarab jamaana mujhko mitatha hai kis liye
Lowhe jahaan ke harf-e- mukarrar nahin huun mai’
Umrao explains to Ruswa Mirza
Now like an dead piece of rock o’er your doorstep do I lie
As the old wound hurts and fresh blood spurts - why shouldn’t I
cry?
Only a frail sinning woman, not a goddess sculpted in iron
Why does the world kill me
- before I die?
Umrao: Ruswa Mirza, you are a kind man will you do me a lasting-
perhaps even a last favour?
Ruswa Mirza: It will be an
honour Umrao Jaan Ada. I came here to write your story , I have now become part
of your story.
Umrao: (taking the
jewellery box) Will you deliver this box to the British Resident’s House
please? Don’t feel concerned, I see the question mark on your face – the box
contains some precious stones given to
me by rich deluded men, but more importantly it contains a letter written to a
Firangee white lady with whom I shared
my life for one night. You are a kind person just like she was -(eyes brimming
with tears) promise you will deliver it
as soon as you can?
Ruswa Mirza: M’lady, I will
deliver it even if it is the last thing I do (face averted, straining to
maintain his composure withdraws). I have troubled you enough, life has
troubled you enough, let us now leave you in peace
The door closes, Umrao dresses herself in the most regal
courtesan dress, ties on her her anklets (ghunghru). There is background music
of Sarangi, a beautiful Dadra and a bandeesh ki thumri. Umrao prepares a dram
of poison very relaxed almost unmindfully
She looks out of the
window watching the pale stars, hums a song
Pareshaan Raat
saari hai, Sitaron tum to so jao….
She drinks the
poison , looking out of the window, speaks to herself as she falls asleep
‘In the stillness of the troubled night
I gaze and see them shining bright
I touch the stars , they hold me tight
Sleep my stars, I will surely follow’
Scene 14
Emily: What was in the
letter grandma, what did Umrao Jaan say to you?
Mary: I received this
collection of poetry and a jewel box , a
gift of the Nawab, with the British
despatches from Lucknow ,many years after I returned home. After James died fifteen years later, I tried
searching for her but no one in Lucknow knew her any more, some had heard of a
noble courtesan who had taken her life several years ago ….
Emily : Read
Grandma, I want to hear what she said….
Mary : I
can’t (breaks down) (lights darken)
Emily: (taking
the letter from Mary reads, hypnotised, reads) (spotlight on her)
‘To the Most Noble and Kind Hearted Begum MemSahebaan Mary jaaan
You will be extremely surprised, perhaps
offended to receive this letter of a very personal nature from a near complete
stranger. But I am sure you will forgive me this rude intrusion – because I
know that it is in your gentlest nature to understand and help lost human
beings like myself. I am writing to you because I once heard a young poet
called Mirza Ghalib recite his Shairi at the court of our Nawabsaab . He
said:
Ibn-e- Mariam dua kare koi - Meri dukh ki dawa kare koi
In our
language this means –he who is blessed
by Ibn-e- Mariam, the prophet, the son
of Mary – receives the medicine that dulls his earthly pain forever. And you,
Begum Memsahebaan are Mariam, Mary jaan, the mother of the prophet, the
original fountainhead of mercy- who once extended her hand of
friendship to an undeserving tawaif like myself.
I consider
myself most fortunate in having had the
company of the kindest souls that have inhabited this earth. My Abba and
Ammijaan ,my father & mother, brought me up with more love and affection
than a daughter like myself deserves -every day I chastise myself that I was unable to live up to their great
expectations. What Amiran gained and Umrao then lost can only be put
down to my own inadequacy and I pray every day in penitence for my sins.
And what about Bua
Husseini and Maulvi saab? Do you know how they found me in Khanum’s
chambers – a frightened, illiterate urchin with a face encrusted with
dried up tears? They could have turned
away and handed me back to Dilawar. Instead they persuaded Khanum to
take me in, loved me like their daughter and Maulvi Saab introduced me to my
most faithful friend – poetry. To me they were like the moon that rises every
evening, that bathes the dark earth
every night, banishing into the shadows our fears and tears, gently crooning a
mother’s lullaby so that wicked souls
like myself can sleep another night.’ Dil cheez kya hai meri jaan lijiye’ –
truly my heart, my body and soul remains sold to these kind people, like Maulvi
Saab, the Nawab – and you.
And what did I
return to these kind people? Nothing,
nothing but pain. But believe me Mary Jaan (please forgive this intimate
form of address) I tried, tried very hard, perhaps too hard – like a dwarf
trying to reach for the stars. I am no Ghalib or Daag but worked hard to
transmute my pain into poetry- as much as an ignorant wench can do. I
discovered an aptitude for our music
and our dance in our great Nawab’s court, filled my empty soul with the strains
of melodies like Malkauns; a thrifty melody using only five fixed points, but
with transitions between the five notes like a journey across five continents;
O the storms and ocean currents one has to survive to reach landfall clinging
to these five notes!.
And I became a
court dancer, learnt the dance that developed in our own beloved Lucknow, you
know it is called Kathak from the stories it tells. Amiran who became Umrao Jaan became Sheherazade of the Arabian Nights, who could
survive another night so long as she kept her distinguished visitors like your
husband,courtiers, paramours and lovers amused and in suspense with her
unending sea of stories. And of course I was good at Abhinaya, role playing,
wearing masks, do you Begum memsahebaan have masks in your society? Sometimes
you wear them so long that you forget to take them off, you can’t take them off
even if it itches, they become like your face, they ARE your face.
Begum Memsahebaan
I feel now I have no more stories to tell. I have hurt too many people, my
parents, my brother, Nawab sultan, you and who knows how many more I am not
even aware of. That for me is the highest prize of my notoriety. When I was
young, Maulvi Saab told me the story of a brave but ambitious English knight
called Macbeth - who killed his king to usurp the throne. The poet (someone
called Shakespeare who they say is as clever with words as our young Mirza)
wrote – ‘Glamis hath murdered sleep hence Cawdor can sleep no more, Macbeth
shall sleep no more. Mary Jaan (my dearest friend, how can I call you anything
else now?), Umrao Jaan has murdered sleep all her life, now it is time for
little Ameeran to sleep forever……….
Sarangi, sounds of ghunghru, table, dancing
Light dims to a darkness
Curtains close
[BHASKAR
DASGUPTA]
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