Stories by Rabindranath Tagore (2015): Season 1, Episode 4 - Atithi - full transcript

Like the protagonist of a road movie the young Tarapada was restless. To the despair of his mother and villagers, Tarapada repeatedly ran away. But he was curious about the world rather than alienated from it. The blissful nature hailed him with endless bounty. He could hear the mystic melody of the nature. He joined a troupe of acrobats and then wandered on. One day he caught a boat ride with a village zamindar. His natural virtuousness and spontaneity attracted the zamindar and his wife. His pleasant voice enchanted everyone, except their envious daughter Charusashi. She could not endure Tarapada. The impenetrable feelings of love and hatred, possessiveness and gentle gestures hovered between. Tarapada settled with the Zamindar family in their village and won the villagers heart. Two years spent. . Charushashi's unpredictable tantrums casted a bitter sweet spell on Tarapada's wander lust mind. Love started spreading its shy wings. Zamindar Motibabu fixed Charu's marriage with Tarapada. The day before the wedding night the monsoon clouds grumbled. The all encompassing smell of the first rain filled the nature. An opera band was sailing across the quiet village. The mellow harmonies stroked the village. Ever restless Tarapada disappeared again leaving all the love, comforts, and belongings behind.

It's not good to get so
angry, Charu.

Then, why did she hang out
her clothes with mine?

And then, she didn't
even apologize!

You did not even
let her speak.

Then, how could
she apologize?

Charu, just imagine what
people must be thinking!

That the landlord's daughter
can't talk to elders.

I am what I am. I don't care,
if anyone feels bad.

Sit down.

And who was he?

Who are you talking about?



The one who was sitting
there and laughing away.

Who was laughing at you?

Who is he?

What is his name?

Nobody.

What is your name, child?

Tarabodho.

Where are you going?

Nandigram.

Are you alone or do
you have a family?

I do. I have everything.

Did you run away
from your house?

Yes.

Why?



Doesn't your mother
love you?

No, no, she does.
She loves me a lot.

Then, why did you run
away?

My mother has my brothers
and sisters to love.

Mother will love them a lot.

It is not necessary
that those who..

..are not loved,
run away from home.

And I did not run away from home.
This world is my home.

But, the world can't love
you like a mother, my son.

I wonder, why I get the
same reactions every time?

I don't know, why
these people get surprised.

I don't know why,
everyone wants to make..

..me realize, that I
have made a big mistake..

..by running away
from my home.

My nature is like a hay
twig, flowing on the water.

I just want to
keep on moving.

I feel that, travelling helps you
find your soul, not new lands.

This was the fourth time,
that I'd run away from home.

Four months ago, when
I returned back home..

..after being away
for six months..

..I had thought that, I will
not run away from home, now.

Mother, mother..

Mother, Taro has come
back.

It is good to roam about,
but, it is wrong to run away.

Priest, I don't run away.

The moment I leave this
village, I get to learn a lot.

What do you want to learn?

What do you want to learn?

Haven't I taught you anything,
since so many years?

Priest, I want to learn
even more.

I want to go to far away countries
and learn different languages.

Look! Look at this boy.

First, learn how
to plough the fields.

Learn how to sow
the seeds.

All of this will be
very useful to you.

Yes. Go and teach those boys. Go.

7 times 3 is 21.

7 times 3 is 21.

7 times 4 is 28.

7 times 4 is 28.

7 times 5 is 35.

7 times 5 is 35.

Seventeen times 6 is 102.

Seventeen times 6 is 102.

17 times 7 is 119.

17 times 7 is 119.

17 times 8 is 136.

17 times 8 is 136.

17 times 9 is 153.

17 times 9 is 153.

17 times 10 is 170.

17 times 10 is 170.

Now, all of you can study.

17 times 1 is 17.

17 times 1 is 17.

17 times 2 is 34.

17 times 2 is 34.

17 times 3 is 51.

17 times 3 is 51.

"By mistake, I found
my heart that was lost."

"Bring some mud
from the village."

"I have left behind
my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

The last time,
when I returned home..

..I had thought that, I will
never run away from home.

But once again, the outside world
started attracting me towards it.

A new world. I had the
urge to meet new people.

That forced me to leave
the house, once again.

"I have become
a traveler with it."

"I have become
a traveler with it."

"Where does
my heart take me?"

"I have left behind my heart."

"Get some mud from
the village."

"I have left behind my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

"I have left behind my heart."

Are you from this village?

No, at some distance
from here..

..there is a village
called Nandigram.

I want to go there.

Nandigram?
Come with us!

See? The boy has talent.

He seems to be
from a good family.

You are right.
He really is a nice boy.

Good boys do not
run away from home.

Keep quiet, Charu.
What do you know?

Do this, then this and
then..

Tara, which song
are you singing?

Just humming.

Sing louder. We want
to hear it, too.

Sing.

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

Isn't he singing well?

"Take me along with you."

"Which way is your boat
going?"

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

"Row with your oars
and take me to the other side."

"Row with your oars
and take me to the other side."

"I don't have anyone here."

"I don't have anyone here."

"Listen to the call of my heart."

"Which way is your boat
going?"

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

"The boat trembles and heaves
and I feel apprehensive."

"Oh, my heart.."

"Where will you take me,
boatman?"

"My eyes are bathed in tears.."

"..my heart is weeping
for someone."

"I don't have anyone here."

"Listen to the call of my heart."

"Which way is your boat
going?"

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

"Listen, boatman."

"Which way is your boat going?"

Tie it properly, so
that it does not fall.

Mother, let's go home,
quickly.

Okay, you go on inside.

No! I will go in the bullock cart.

Okay, then go.

Listen..

Yes, tell me.

He is a very nice boy.

It would have been nice, to
have him stay a while with us.

Tarabodho, come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Do you have anything
important to do at home?

No. Nothing at all.

Then, come with us for a few days
and stay at our house.

Yes, sir. I was just waiting
for..

..you to ask me
to come with you.

Then, what are you waiting for?
Go and sit in the cart. Go on.

Sit down.

Come on,
we have reached home.

We have reached
after so many days!

It feels really good.

See, what he is doing?

Listen! See, what he is doing!

Why are you smiling?

If Tarabodho is around,
then the sound..

..of laughter resonates
all over.

It has just been four
days, since he came here.

And it seems, as if
he is one of us.

He gets along so
well, with everyone!

Hey, sweet girl!
Come here.

Where have you been for
so many days?

Is everything
all right at home?

Everything is fine. Mother
hasn't been well for a while.

Tell me, what happened?

Nothing. She just
had fever.

She is fine now.

Aunt, where is Charu?

Charu is sitting and sulking.

She was asking about you,
all week long.

You never said anything
to her, you see?

Go inside and meet her.

Won't you talk
to me, Charu?

Talk? I've been looking for you
since a week!

But, you weren't
even bothered!

You didn't even come
to meet me, once.

You didn't even care to
check, whether I'm dead or alive!

Don't say that, Charu.
My mother was not well.

That is why,
I could not come.

Are you telling the truth?

What happened to her?

Why would I lie to you?

Mother had fever,
but she is fine now.

Who else will look after
her, if not me?

Okay, forget about
all that.

Tell me, how are you?

I want to talk to you
about a lot of things.

But, I can't resist
telling you one thing.

I've wanted to tell you
for so many days, now.

So, listen to me, now.

While we were returning,
we stopped the boat..

..at Ichhapur, to cook food.

Father, mother and I got down.

Do you know what happened,
then?

Dadabhai, Tarabodho..

Hey..

Where is my flute?

It is there. I have made it.

I promised you.
Wait, I will get it for you.

Do you know him?

Yes.

How come?

He came home. Mother was
singing devotional songs..

..and he was playing
the flute.

He plays the flute
very sweetly.

He was with us for
3 or 4 hours.

We talked a lot.

Mother asks every day,
when Tara will come back.

I have come back.

Here, take your flute.

Now, where is my
'Aamsotto' (Indian snack)?

Wait.

Here you are.

Okay.

Charu, my flute.

You eat, while I
get my flute.

Wait, eat and then go.

No, I want my flute.

Charu, my flute!

Please, repair this. I do not know
how the hand came off.

So, you do not know
how the hand came off?

No.

Did it come off, or did
you remove it on purpose?

What do you mean?

I mean, nothing.

What do you mean
by nothing?

Tell me.

I mean, you have
come to see..

..whether, I am still annoyed
or not.

Isn't it?

Like you, I don't get angry
about every little thing.

I just came here,
casually.

Do you like books?

Do you know English?

Do you want to learn?

My son, before learning English,
it is very important..

..to know, how
this language originated.

How it became
prevalent in our country?

So first of all, we will
discuss about the origin..

..and prevalence of
this language.

Go, go on!

Tarabodho, it is
not fun to play without you.

You also play with us.

I am studying right now.

You go and I shall come
to play with you, later.

If anyone does not
want to come, its okay..

..we are not bothered.

Come on.

They established their language
in both written and oral.

They used it in
conversation, also.

Father.

What do you want, Charu?

I also want to learn English.

It is very good that
you want to learn English.

Come on, sit here.

Okay, where were we?

The British popularized
their language...

You will not go to father
after completing your studies.

Why?

Just because I have
said that, you will not go.

But, why?

Every day, after you complete
your studies, you go to father..

..and I get scolded, as I am
not able to complete my studies.

Then, you should also do
the homework, like me.

So, you will not listen to me.

You live in my house,
my father teaches you..

..and, you will not
listen to me.

I'm done.

Hey..

I just wanted to tell you
something, so I was thinking..

..whether I should say
it or not.

Tell me whatever
is in your heart.

There is no use of keeping
it in your heart.

Aren't we are looking for a groom
for our daughter?

Whereas, the boy is
in front of us.

The boy is in front of us?

Who is it?

It's Tarabodho.

Tarabodho?

Can we marry our daughter
off to someone, just like that?

We do not know anything
about his house and family.

We found him on the way.

Will I marry my daughter
to someone..

..about whom we do
not know anything?

We can find about him.

Listen, I have already promised
Mr. Chaudhary.

Now, nothing can be done.

They have arrived,
so, wear this sari.

Charu, you should not
be so obstinate, my dear.

Now you have grown up,
so you must wear this sari.

I don't want to go down.
I don't want to go down.

Charu, stop being
so childish!

Everyone is waiting downstairs.

Charu, listen to
me and wear this sari.

Charu..

Charu, wear this sari.

I don't want to wear it.

I am sorry.
My daughter is not feeling well.

That is why,
I apologize to you.

Mr. Chaudhary, you got these
sweets for us.

Will you take them
along or leave them here?

We will take them back.

She is a very stubborn girl.

If a boy comes to meet
her and she does not come down..

..then, she will not get
married all her life.

Please, calm down.
Everything will be fine.

I felt insulted and had
to apologize to Mr. Chaudhary.

You were right.

Not everyone will be
able to adjust with her.

It would be best,
if she stays in our house..

..and under our supervision.

So, are you..

Yes.

Tarabodho is a good boy.

Given the way he speaks, it
seems he's from a decent family.

Even then, it is important to get
some more information about him.

Sure. I am sure that
his family must be nice.

That will be fine.

If I do this, I will get someone
to help me with my work.

And my daughter will
also remain with me.

Now, the rest depends
on Tarabodho's family.

Call the accountant.

Take this.

What is this?

This is a diary.

Every aspect of your
life will be written in this.

Write down whatever
comes to your mind.

And for me?

What will you do
with a diary?

Why? I think of things, too.

First, learn to string together
four alphabets, at least.

Then, write whatever
comes to your mind.

Don't you get angry?

I trouble you so much.

Then, don't trouble me.

Okay, but, I don't know
why I do this.

I know why.

What?

That, this anger
is just a mask.

The person behind the
mask, is filled with love.

But, you are only
Shona Moni's friend.

Who told you that?

You made the flute,
just for her.

So you tell me,
what do you want?

I also want a flute.

Okay, I shall make
a flute for you.

But, you will have
to promise me one thing.

You will study
every single day.

Did you find anything?

Yes, I got a lot
of information.

Then, tell me.

Sir, Tarabodha's family
is poor.

They are just
living hand to mouth.

-But..
-But what?

They are people with
values and very well mannered.

They are respected
in the society.

Everyone respects
Tarabodho's family.

Always get to the point
first, sir.

Money means nothing,
in life.

The hearts should meet,
at first.

-Isn't that right?
-Yes, sir.

And keep one thing in mind.

Tara should not come
to know..

..that his family members
are coming here.

-Is it okay?
-Yes. As you wish.

Mother, your hair
is falling out a lot.

I will get you
some good hair oil.

Your hair will not fall and
it will also stay black.

I also want a plait.
Braid my hair, too.

Now, I am braiding her hair.
Wait for some time..

..and I will do it for you,
also.

No. First, braid my hair
and then, hers.

Braid her hair first, my son.

Okay.

Come along.

Be gentle!

Okay, I'll be gentle.

Are you done?

Yes, I have finished.

Show it to me.

Write it out completely.
Go on! Write it.

I am done.

Come on,
show it to me.

It is good.

I have been living with the
landlord Motilal for a long time.

Other than in my house..

..this is the only place..

..where I have stayed
for so long.

I have developed a kind of
attachment to this house.

I feel a strange kind of bond
with the people of this house.

It has never happened before.

Why is this happening?

Why do I feel that
I am getting trapped..

..in the whirlpool
of relationships?

I want to come out of it,
but an opposite attraction..

..is attracting me
towards it.

And I am getting
drawn to it.

My mind is losing it's
direction in this tug of war.

I can't understand
why this is happening.

How will I get out of it?

Charu.

Didn't you meet the
groom's family, yesterday?

I did not even go downstairs.

Why?

I don't want to get married.

Why not?

I just don't want
to get married.

Now I understand, why the
accountant went to Tara's house.

What? Did the accountant go
to that silly boy's house?

But why?

Now, you will have
to get married.

Run away from here. Go
away.

Go on, run away from here.

Tarabodho, everyone is
waiting for you there.

Come on, the drama will
start soon.

They look so good
together!

Please, have something.

Please call Tarabodho.

Yes, he has gone to call him.

He must be on his way.

Sir.

I cannot find Tarabodho.

What do you mean that
you can't find him?

Look for him.
He must be around here.