The Little Toe : Mahim Bora (Translated by Lalit Saikia)

Those who came from the bridal-house were prepared every moment to face such an unpleasant situation as this. But since nothing untowardly had occurred in the early hours, their hearts lightened despite their fear of exposure. They now began to chat almost freely with the men of the grooms-house but began to doubt their bonhomie when they noticed a change in their attitude and movements. The more alive and alert among them began to fidget and thought, the only escape was to take their leave as early as possible. However there was no failing in reception. Tea and snacks, tobacco and betel nut, had been served intermittently. Slowly and steadily, the male- folk of the village began to retreat one by one. Someswar also tried to compose himself and talk freely with others, but could not join in any parley.

Women inside the house have been regaling on tea, betel-nut etc. It is true, they did not discuss about the matter openly, but should they leave out such a vital matter from being discussed merely on the score of civility? They thought. Bhoga’s mother hailing from the same village while stripping the betel-nuts said, “Hari’s sister-in-1aw is having her feet resembling the wooden-chappel shape, why then the household began to prosper by leaps and bounds from the very day of her entry into their house?” Some women supported it and said “Oh yes, you are quite right, for everybody is God’s creation. As we have seen, those sluts and jades do thrive in practical life”. Another middle-aged lady put a piece of betel—nut into her mouth and taking a bit of tobacco leaf in her hand added “Yes, a saying goes, the best woman is she who is a slut and the best fruit is that which is banana”. Some of the ladies at once repeated in corroboration of it just as the ‘Ghosa’ of a congregational ‘Palnam’ is done. Simultaneously a barrage of comments criss-crossed. “Leave it off, everything is meaningless, only destiny is true; ominous or not ominous, they are all man-made things”.

The gloomy atmosphere of the house seemed to have cleared off , Just at this moment entered the most respectable Mauzadarani (the wife of the local *Mauzadar). Her supremacy in the village was indisputable. Normally she does not frequent any and everybody`s house. But she is visiting Someswar‘s house on both the ceremonial occasions – on the ornament investiture day and also on the wedding-day. Someswar met no children outside to pass on the news of her coming. He then himself came near the wall of his house and respectfully uttered. ‘Eh. mind you, our Mauzadarani is coming. Get her seated carefully’. A good number of women was there and as soon as they heard his voice, the ladies who regarded him with respect drew their veils. but left half-drawn because Someswar did not come in. Moreover, as they were deeply plunged in the talks, it was quite difficult on their part to wield their veils off—hand. The bride too unwittingly took her hand to her veil.

Now a separate carpet was spread out on the floor for the Mauzadarani to sit. Everyone looked at her respectfully. Mauzadarani while chewing betel—nut, smiled and asked- “Why is the bride seated with a cubit-long veil? Are we coming to see her veil? Then echoed a humming of soft laughter amongst the ladies. One of the ladies at once spoke to the bride, “Hello dear, our revered Mauzadarani is coming. Why won’t you remove your veil?” Tilted by these words, a saucy little lass went up and removed the veil. Meanwhile Bhoga’s mother pretending to give a piece of betel-nut to Mauzadarani, took her mouth very close to her ears and drove the secret silently. But what was conveyed to Mauzadarani could be guessed by all and everyone waited anxiously to see her reaction. ‘

It came as a surprise to all that Mauzadarani, far from exhibiting any anxiety, took it as easy as any ordinary matter. She replied in a very low voice —”So what?” Bhoga’s mother quickly changed her tone and said aloud, “That is what I say; what is the abnormality there?” The whole house again turned as lively as on the wedding day. Mauzadarani, despite her usual sobriety, began to crack merry jokes and pranks which amused all. But she never mentioned anything about the matter regarding the bride. The bride, too, felt as il` somebody had removed a big stone-load from her breast. Her heart became sodden with gratitude and she felt she would shed her tears profusely at the feet of Mauzadarani whom she regarded as a demi-goddess and one who could own the pangs of others.

Someswar was waiting anxiously outside to know what would Mauzadarani comment, because a single word of Mauzadarani has got more value than that of all others. After having tea and betel-nuts, Mauzadarani took her leave saying ‘Good-bye’ to all. Someswar, in the meantime waited at the gate for her.

“Are you going home, mother?” he asked. “Oh yes, I am leaving. I have seen your bride”, she replied.

“Have you taken some snacks?” he queried.

“Yes, yes, I have been well received? She answered.

‘And then?” Someswar almost gasped as if nothing would come out of his throat. His tongue seemed to dry up. He thought how he would now ask her about the matter. Then with a soapy voice and moving along with her he said—”You might be aware of the matter; what can I do? It’s my destiny whose mandate has determined my marital union. So I resign everything to my fate.”

Pat came her reply—”Oh, you mean her little toes? That is nothing. You are getting a very fine lady adorned with all good qualities. It does not matter at all that she has long little toes”. Someswafs body seemed to be surcharged with emotion and unbounded joy. Mauzadarani, while moving on, added “You are not to listen to what others say. Mind you. You are getting a very good lady.” lust then unknowingly she stepped on a little depression brimmed with water, caused by the cattle hoofs. The splattered muddy water printed her “Mekhela”. Someswar felt very uneasy and looked at her feet. Normally she used to put on Chappals or shoes. But that day she did not because of the muddy condition of the roads.

Someswar stood motionless. His eyes steadfastly fixed on her exposed lent which she tried to cover with her ‘Mekhela’. With blinkless eyes Someswar in great wonder, discovered that Mauzadarani too had her little toes longer than usual.

GLOSSARY

GHOSA ;               Opening verse of 21 devotional song.

PALNAM:            Congregational devotional song common in Assam.

MEKHELA :          Lower garment used by Assamese women.

MAUZADAR :     A revenue official employed by Govt. for a Mauza i.e. a cluster of villages for collection of land revenue. He is highly respected in the rural society of Assam.

Mahim Bora (6 July 1924 – 5 August 2016) was an Indian writer and educationist from Assam.He was elected as a president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha held in 1989 at Doomdooma. He was awarded with most notably with the Padma Shri in 2011, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2001 and the Assam Valley Literary Award in 1998. Assam Sahitya Sabha conferred its highest honorary title Sahityacharyya on him in 2007.