by Girish Karnad

PREFACE

Naga- Mandala is based on two oral tales from Karnataka which I

first heard several years ago from Professor A. K. Ramanulan. But

that is only the least of the reasons for dedicating this play to him.

I wrote Naga- Mandala during the year I spent at the University of

Chicago as Visiting Professor and Fulbright Scholar- in- Residence.

I am most grateful to Professor Stuart M. Tave, Dean, Division of

Humanities, and Professor C. M. Naim, Chairman, Department of

South Asian Languages and Civilizations as well as to the Council

for International Exchange of Scholars for having made that visit

possible. I am further indebted to Professor Naim for persuading

me to put the play into English.

I write in Kannada. English is the language of my adulthood. This

translation must therefore be seen only as an approximation to the

original. My deepest thanks are due to the colleagues and students

who helped with the production of the play at the University

Theater at Chicago, for their many valuable suggestions and textual

corrections, as well as to Shri Shankar Nag who first presented the

play in Kannada with his group, Sanket.

I am conscious that Naga's long speech on p. 25 owes much to

Jean Anouilh, though I have not been able to identify the play.

Bombay

28 November 1988

G. K.

CHARACTERS

(In the order of their appearance)

THE MAN

THE EXHUMES

THE STORY

RANf (which means QUEEN)

APPANNA (which means ANY MAN)

KURUDAWA (which means THE BLIND ONE)

KAPPANNA (which means THE DARK ONE)

NAGA (which means THE COBRA)

THREE VLLAGE ELDERS

(Appanna and Naga are played by the same actor.)

PROLOGUE

(The inner sanctum of a ruined temple. The idol is broken, so the

presiding deity of the temple cannot be identified.

It is night. Moonlight seeps in through the Backs in the roof and the

walls.

A man is sitting in the temple. Long silence. Suddently, he opens his

eyes wide. Closes them. Then uses his fingers to pry open his eyelids.

Then he goes back to his original morose stance.

He yawns involuntarily. Then reacts to the yawn by shaking his

head violently, and turns to the audience.)

MAN: I may be dead within the next few hours.

(Long pause.)

I am not talking of 'acting' dead. Actually dead. I might die

right in front of your yes.

(Pause.)

A mendicant told me: 'You must keep awake at least one

whole night this month. If you can do that, you'll live. If not,

you will die on the last night of the month.' I laughed out

loud when I heard him. I thought nothing would be easier

than spending a night awake.

(Pause.)

I was wrong. Perhaps death makes one sleepy. Every night

this month I have been dozing off before even being aware of

it. I am convinced I am seeing something with these eyes of

mine, only to wake up and find I was dreaming. Tonight is

my last chance.

(Pause.)

For tonight is the last night of the month. Even of my life,

perhaps? For how do I know sleep won't creep in on me

again as it has every night so far? I may doze off right in

from of you. And that will be the end of me.

(Pause. )

I asked the mendicant what I had done to deserve this fate.

And he said: 'You have written plays. You have staged them.

You have caused so many good people, who came trusting

you, to fall asleep twisted in miserable chairs, that all that

abused mass of sleep has turned against you and become the

Curse of Death.'

(Pause.)

I hadn't realized my plays had had that much impact.

(Pause.)

Tonight may be my last night. So I have fled from home and

come to this temple, nameless and empty. For years I've been

fording it over my family as a writer. I couldn't bring myself

to die a writer's death in front of them.

(Pause.)

I swear by this absent God, if I survive this night I shalt have

nothing more to do with themes, plots or stories. I abjure all

story- telling, all play- acting.

(Female voices are heard outside the temple. He looks.)

Voices! Here? At this time of night? Lights! Who could be

coming here now?

(He hides behind a pillar. Several Flames enter the temple,

giggling, talking to each other in female voices.)

MAN: I don't believe it! They are naked lamp flames! No wicks,

no lamps. No one holding them. Just lamp flames on their

own floating in the air! Is that even possible?

(Another three or four Flames enter, talking among

themselves.)

FLAME 3: (Addressing Flame 1, which is already in the temple.)

Hello! What a pleasant surprise! You are here before us

tonight.

FIAME 1: That master of our house, you know whet a skinflint

he is! He is convinced his wife has a hole in her palm, so he

buys all the groceries himself. This evening, before the dark

was even an hour old, they ran out of kusbi oil. The tin of

peanut oil didn't go far. The bowl of castor oil was empty

anyway. So they had to retire to bed early and I was

permitted to come here.

(Laughter.)

FLAME 2: (Sneering) Kusbi oil! Peanut oil! How disgusting! My

family comes from the coast. We won't touch anything but coconut oil.

Prologue

FLAME 1: . . . But at least I come here every night. What about

your friend, the kerosene flame? She hasn't been seen here

for months. She is one of the flrst tonight.

FLAME 4: Actually, from today on I don't think I'll have any

difficulty getting out . . . and early.

(They all laugh.)

FLAME 1: Why? What's happened?

(The other Flames giggle.)

FLAMES: Tell her! Tell her!

FLAME 4: My master had an old, ailing mother. Her stomach

was bloated, her back covered with bed sores. The house

stank of cough and phlegm, pus and urine. No one got a

wink of sleep at night. Naturally, I stayed back too. The old

lady died this morning, leaving behind my master and his

young wife, young and juicy as a tender cucumber. I was

chased out fast.

(Giggles.)

FLAME 3: You are lucky. My master's eyes have to feast on his

wife limb by limb if the rest of him is to react. So we lamps

have to bear witness to what is better left to the dark.

(They all talk animatedly. New Flames come and join them.

They group and regroup, chattering.)

MAN: (To the audience.) I had heard that when lamps are put

out in the village, the flames gather in some remote piece and

spend the night together, gossiping. So this is where they

gather!

(A net Flame enters and is enthusiastically greeted.)

FLAME 1: You are kite. It is well past midnight.

NEW FLAME: Ah! There was such a to- do in our house tonight.

FLAMES: What happened? Tell us!

NEW FLAME: You know I have only an old couple in my house.

Tonight the old woman finished eating, swept and cleaned the

floor, put away the pots and pans, and went to the room in

which her husband was sleeping. And what should she see,

but a young woman dressed in a rich, new sari step out of the

room! The moment the young woman saw my mistress, she

ran out of the house and disappeared into the night. The old

woman woke her husband up and questioned him. But he

said he knew nothing. Which started the rumpus.

FLAMES: But who we the young woman? How did she get into

your. house?

NEW FLAME: Let me explain: My mistress, the old woman,

knows a story and a song. But all these years she has kept

them to herself, never told the story, nor sung the song. So

the story and the song were being choked, imprisoned inside

her. This afternoon the old woman took her usual nap after

lunch and started snoring. The moment her mouth opened,

the story and the song jumped out and hid in the attic. At

night, when the old man had gone to sleep, the story took the

form of a young woman and the song became a sari. The

young woman wrapped herself in the sari and stepped out,

just as the old hdy was coming in. Thus, the story and song

created a feud in the family and were revenged on the old

woman.

FLAME 1: So if you try to gag one story, another happens.

FLAMES: (All together.) But where are they now, the poor

things? . . . How long will they run around in the dark? What

will happen to them?

NEW FLAME: I sew them on my way here end told them to

follow me. They should be here any moment.... There they

are! The story with the song!

(TheStory, in the form of a woman dressed in a new,

colourful sari, enters, acknowledges the enthusiastic welcome

from the Flames with a languid wave of the hand and goes

and sits in a corner, looking most despondent. The Flames

gather around her.)

NEW FLAME: Come on. Why are you so despondent? We are

here and are free the whole night. We'll listen to you.

STORY: Thank you, my dears. It is kind of you. But what is the

point of your listening to a story? You can't pass it on.

Fl- AMES: That's true.... What can we do? Wish we could help.

(While the Flames make sympathetic noises, the Man jumps

out from behind the pillar and grabs the Story by her wrist.)

MAN: I'll listen to you!

(The Flames flee helter- skelter in terror. The Story struggles

to free herself.)

STORY: Who are you? Let me go!

MAN: What does it matter who I am, I'll listen to you. Isn't that

enough? I promise you, I'll listen all night!

(The Story stops struggling. There is a new interest in her

voice.)

STORY: You will?

MAN: Yes.

STORY: Good. Then let me go.

(He does not.) I need my hands to act out the parts.

(He lets her go.)

There is a condition, however--

MAN: What?

STORY: You can't just listen to the story and leave it at that. You

must tell it again to someone else.

MAN: That I certainly shall, if I live. But first I must be alive to

. That reminds me. I have a condition, too.

STORY: Yes?

MAN: I must not doze off during the tale. If I do, I die. All your

telling will be wasted.

STORY: As a self- respecting story, that is the least I can promise.

MAN: All right then. Start. (Suddenly.) But no! No! It's not

possible. I take back my word. I can't repeat the story.

STORY: And why not?

MAN: I have just now taken a vow not to have anything to do

with themes, plots or acting. If I live, I don't want to risk any

more curses from the audience.

STORY: (Gets up.) Good- bye then. We must be going.

MAN: Wait! Don't go. Please.

(Thinks.)

I suppose I have no choice.

(To the audience.)

So now you know why this play is being done. T have no

choice. Bear with me, please. As you can see, it is a matter of

life and death for me.

(Calls out.)

Musicians, please!

(Musicians enter and occupy their mat.)

The Story and the Song!

(Throughout the rest of the play, the Man and the Story

remain on stage. The Flames too listen attentively though

from a distance.) (To the Story. ) Go on.

(The locked front door of a house with a yard in front of the house, and

on the right, an enormous ant- hill. The interior of the house--the

kitchen, the bathroom as well as Rani's room--is clearly seen')

STORY: A young girl. Her name . . . it doesn't matter. But she

was an only daughter, so her parents called her Rani. Queen.

Queen of the whole wide world. Queen of the long tresses.

For when her hair was tied up in a knot, it was as though a

black King Cobra lay curled on the nape of her neck, coil

upon glistening coil. When it hung loose, the tresses flowed, a

torrent of black, along her young limbs, and got entangled in

her silver anklets. Her fond father found her a suitable

husband. The young man was rich and his parents were both

dead. Rani continued to live with her parents until she

reached womanhood. Soon, her husband came and took her

with him to his village. His name was--well, any common

name will do--

MAN: Appanna?

STORY: Appanna.

(Appanna enters, followed by Rani. They carry bundles in

their arms, indicating that they have been travelling.

Appanna opens the lock on the front door of the house.

They go in.)

AP,PANNA: Have we brought in all the bundles?

RANI: Yes.

APPANNA: Well, then, I'll be back tomorrow at noon. Keep my

lunch ready. I shall eat and go.

(Rani look at him nonplussed. He pays no attention to her,

goes out, shuts the door, locks it from outside and goes

away. She runs to the door, pushes it, finds it locked, peers

out of the barred window. He is gone.)

RANI: Listen--please--

She does not know what is happening, stands perplexed. She

cannot even weep. She goes and sits in a corner of her room.

Talks to herself indistinctly. Her words become distinct as

the lights dim. It is night.)

. . . So Rani asks him: 'Where are you taking me?' And the Eagle

answers: 'Beyond the seven seas and the seven isles. On the

seventh island is a magic garden. And in that garden stands the

tree of emeralds. Under that tree, your parents wait for you.'

So Rani says: 'Do they? Then please, please take me to them--

immediately. Here I come.' So the Eagle carries her clear across

the seven seas ...

(Shefalls asleep. Moans 'Oh, Mother!' 'Father' in her sleep.

It gets light. She wakes up with a fright, looks around, then

runs to the bathroom, mimes splashing water on her face,

goes into the kitchen, starts cooking. Appanna comes. Opens

the lock on the front door and comes in. Goes to the

bathroom. Mimes bathing, then comes to the kitchen and sits

down to eat. She serves him food.)

RANI: Listen--(Fumbling for words) Listen--I feel--

frightened--alone at night--

APPANNA: What is there to be scared of? Just keep to yourself.

No one will bother you. Rice!

(Pause.)

RANI: Please, you could--

APPANNA: Look, I don't like idle chatter. Do as you are told, you

understand?

(Finishes his meal, gets up.)

I'll be back tomorrow, for lunch.

(Appanna washes his hands, lock her in and goes away.

Rani watches him blankly through the window.)

STORY: And so the days rolled by.

(Mechanically, Rani goes into the kitchen, starts cooking.

Talks to herself.)

RANI: Then Rani's parents embrace her and cry. They kiss her

and caress her. At night she sleeps between them. So she is

not frightened any more. 'Don't worry,' they promise her.

'We won't let you go away again ever!' In the morning, the

stag with the golden antlers comes to the door. He calls out

to Rani. She refuses to go. 'I am not a stay,' he explains,'I

am a prince' . . .

(Rani sits staring blankly into the oven. Then begins to sob.

Outside, in the street, Kappanna enters, carrying Kurudavva

on his shoulders. She is blind. He is in his early twenties.)

KAPPANNA: Mother, you can't do this! You can't start meddling

in other people's affairs the first thing in the morning. That

Appanna should have been born a wild beast or a reptile. By

some mistake, he got human birth. He can't stand other

people. Why do you want to tangle with him?

KURUDAWA: Whatever he is, he is the son of my best friend. His

mother and I were like sisters. Poor thing, she died bringing

him into this world. Now a new daughter- in- law comes to her

house. How can I go on as though nothing has happened?

Besides, I haven't slept a wink since you told me you saw

Appanna in his concubine's courtyard. He has got himself a

bride--and he still goes after that harlot?

KAPPANNA: I knew I shouldn't have told you. Now you have

insomnia--and I have a backache.

KURUDAWA: Who's asked you to carry me around like this? I

haven't, have I? I was born and brought up here. I can find

my way around.

KAPPANNA: Do you know what I ask for when I pray to Lord

Hanuman of the Gymnasium every morning? For more

strength. Not to wrestle. Not to fight. Only so I can carry you

around.

KURUDAWA: (Pleased) I know, I know.

(Suddenly Kappanna freezes.)

What is it? Why have you stopped?

(He doesn't answer. Merely stands immobile and stares. A

touch of panic in Kurudavva's voice.)

What is it, Kappanna? Kappanna!

KAPPANNA: Nothing, Mother. It's just that I can see Appanna's

front door from here.

KURUDAWA: (Relieved) Oh! For a moment I was worried it was

that--who- is- that- again? That witch or fairy, whatever she

is--who you say follows you around.

KAPPANNA: Mother, she is not a witch or a fairy. When I try to

explain, you won't even listen. And then, when I'm not even

thinking of her, you start suspecting all kinds of--

KURUDAVVA: Hush! Enough of her now. Tell me why we have

stopped.

KAPPANNA: There doesn't seem to be anyone in Appanna's

house. There is a lock on the front door.

KURUDAWA; How is that possible? Even if he is lying in his

concubine's house, his bride should be home.

KAPPANNA: Who can tell about Appanna? He's a lunatic . . .

KURUDAWA: You don't think he could have sent his wife back

to her parents already, do you? Come, let us look in through

the window and check.

KAPPANNA: Of course not, Mother! If someone sees us--

KURUDAWA: Listen to me. Go up to the house and peep in. Tell

me whet you see.

KAPPANNA: I refuse.

KURUDAWA: (Tearful) I wouldn't have asked you if I had eyes. I

don't know why God has been cruel to me, why he gave me

no sight . . .

KAPPANNA: (Yielding) All right, Mother.

(They go near the house. Kappanna peers through the

window.)

KAPPANNA: The house is empty.

KURUDAWA: Of course it is, silly! How can anyone be inside

when there is a lock outside on the door? Tell me, can you

see clothes drying inside? What kind of clothes? Any saris?

Skirts? Or is it only men's clothes?

KAPPANNA: I can t see a thing!

RANI: Who is it? What is that outside?

KAPPANNA: Oh my God!

(Lifts Kurudawa and starts running.)

KURUDAWA: Stop! Stop, I tell you! Why are you running as

though you've seen a ghost? !

KAPPANNA: There is someone inside the house--a woman!

KURUDAWA: You don't have to tell me that! So what if there is

a woman inside the house? We have come here precisely

because a woman is supposed to be in the house.

KAPPANNA: Mother, what does it mean when a man locks his

wife in?

KURUDAWA: You tell me.

KAPPANNA: It means he does not want anyone to talk to his wife.

RANI: (Comes to the window.) Who is it?

KAPPANNA: Let s go.

(Starts running again. Kurudawa hits him on the back.)

KURUDAWA: Stop! Stop! (To Rani) I am coming, child! Right

now! Don't go away! (To Kappana) He keeps wife locked

up like a caged bird? I must talk to her. Let me

down--instantly!

(He lets her down.)

You go home if you like.

KAPPANNA: I'll wait for you here under the tree. Come back

soon. Don't just sit there gossiping . . .

KURUDAWA: (Approaching Rami) Dear girl . . .

RANI: Who are you?

KURUDAWA: Don't be afraid. I am called Kurudawa, because I

am blind. Your mother- in- law and I were like sisters. I helped

when your husband was born. Don't be frightened. Appanna

is like a son to me. Is he not in?

RANI: No.

KURUDAWA: What is your name?

RANI: They call me Rani.

KURUDAWA: And where is Appanna?

RANI: I don't know.

KURUDAWA: When did he go out?

RANI: After lunch yesterday.

KURUDAWA: When will he come back?

RANI: He will be back for lunch later in the day.

KURUDAWA: You don't mean, he is home only once a day, and

that too . . . only for lunch?

(No reply.)

And you are alone in the house all day?

(Rani begins to sob.)

Don't cry child, don't cry. I haven't come here to make you

cry. Does he lock you up every day like this?

RANI: Yes, since the day I came here . . .

KURUDAWA: Does he beat you or ill- treat you?

RANI, No.

KURUDAWA: (Pause.) Does he . . . talk to you?

RANI: Oh, that he does. But not a syllable more than required.

'Do this'. 'Do that'. 'Serve the food.'

KURUDAWA: You mean ? That means--you are- still hmm!

Has he...?

RANI: Apart from him, you are the first person I have seen since

coming here. I'm bored to death. There is no one to talk to!

KURUDAWA: That's not what I meant by 'talk'. Has your

husband touched you? How can I put it? (Exasperated.)

Didn't anyone explain to you before your wedding? Your

mother? Or an aunt?

RANI: Mother started shedding tears the day I matured and was

still crying when I left with my husband. Poor her! She is

probably crying even now.

(Starts sobbing.)

KURUDAWA: Dear girl, it's no use crying. Don't cry! Don't!

Come here. Come, come to the window. Let me touch you.

My eyes are all in my fingers.

(She feels Rani's face, shoulder, neck through the bars of the

window.)

Ayyo! How beautiful you are. Ears like hibiscus. Skin like

young mango leaves. Lips like rolls of silk. How can that

Appanna gallivant around leaving such loveliness wasting

away at home?

RANI: I am so frightened at night, I can't sleep a wink. At home,

I sleep between Father and Mother. But here,

alone--Kurudawa' can you help me, please? Will you please

send word to my parents that I am, like this, here? Will you

ask them to free me and take me home? l would jump into a

well--if only I could--

KURUDAWA: Chih! Chih! You shouldn't say such things. I'll

take care of everything.

(Calls out.)

Son! Son!

KAPPANNA: (From behind the tree. ) Yes?

KURUDAWA: Come here.

KAPPANNA: No, I won t.

KURUDAWA: Come here, you idiot.

KAPPANNA: I absolutely refuse, Mother. I told you right at the

start that I won't.

KURUDAWA: Honestly!

(Comes to him.)

Listen, Son. Run home nvw. Go into the cattle shed--the left

corner--

NAGA - MANDALA

KAPPANNA: The left corner--

KURUDAWA: Just above where you keep the plough, behind the

pillar, on the shelf--

KAPPANNA: Behind the pillar--on the shelf--

KURUDAWA: There is an old tin trunk. Take it down. It's full of

odds and ends, but take out the bun& of cloth. Untie it.

Inside there is a wooden box.

KAPPANNA: A wooden box. All right--

KURUDAWA: In the right hand side of the wooden box is a

coconut shell wrapped in a piece of paper. Inside are two

pieces of a root. Bring them.

KAPPANNA: Now?

KURUDAWA: Now. At once. Before Appanna returns home.

KAPPANNA: Mother, listen to me. If he finds you here--

KURUDAWA: Don't waste time now. Do as I say. Run.

(Gets up and comes back to the house. Kappanna leaves.)

Are you still there?

RANI: Yes. Who is that?

KURUDAWA: My son, Kappanna. Oh, don't let his name mislead

you. He isn't really dark. In fact, when he was born, my

husband said: 'Such a fair child! Let's call him the Fair One!'

T said: 'I don't know what Fair means. My blind eyes know

only the dark. So let's call this little parrot of my eyes the

Dark One!' And he became Kappanna.

RANT: And where have you sent him?

KURUDAWA: I'll tell you. I was born blind. No one would marry

me. My father wore himself out going from village to village

looking for a husband. But to no avail. One day a mendicant

came to our house. No one was home. I was alone. I looked

after him in every way. Cooked hot food specially for him and

served him to his heart's content. He was pleased with me

and gave me three pieces of a root. 'Any man who eats one of

these will marry you', he said.

RANI: And then?

KURUDAWA: 'Feed him the smallest piece first', he said. 'If that

gives no results, then try the middle- sized one. Only if both

fail, feed him the largest piece.'

RANI: (Entranced.) And then?

KURUpAWA: One day a boy distanty related to me came to our

village and stayed with us. That day I ground one of the

pieces into paste, mixed it in with the food, and served him.

Can you guess which piece I chose?

RANI: (Working it out.) Which one now? The smallest one, as

the mendicant said? No, no, surey the biggest piece.

KURUDAWA: No. I was in such a hurry I barely noticed the

small one. The biggest scared me. So I used the middle- sized

root.

RANI: And then?

KVRUDAWA: He finished his meal, gave me one look and

instantly fell in love. Married me within the next two days.

Never went back to his village. It took the plague to detach

him from me.

(Rani laughs.)

KAPPANNA: (Entering.) Mother--

KURUPAWA: Ha! There heis! Wait!

(Goes to him.)

Have you brought them?

(Kappanna glues her the two pieces of root. Kurudawa

hurries back to Rani.)

Are you still there?

RANI: Yes, I am.

KURUDAWA: Here.

RANI: What is that?

KURUDDAWA: The root I was telling you about.

(Ranistarts.) Here. Take this smaller piece. That should do

for a pretty jasmine like you. Take it! Grind it into a nice

paste and feed it to your husband and watch the results. Once he

smells you he won't go sniffing after that bitch. He will make you

a wife instantly.

RANI: But I am his wife already.

KURUDAWA: Just do as I say.

(Rani takes the piece. Kurudawa tucks the other one in the

knot of her sari. Kappanna whistles. She turns.)

That must be Appanna coming.

RANI: (Running in.) Go now, Kurudawa. But come again.

KURUDAWA: I shall too. But don't forget what I told."u.

(Kurudawa starts to go. Appanna crosses her.)

APPANNA: (Suspicious) Who is that? Kurudawa?

NAGA - MANDALA

KURUDAWA: How are you, Appanna? It's been a long time--

APPANNA: What are you doing here?

KURUDAWA: I heard you had brought a new bride. Thought I

would talk to her. But she refuses to come out.

APPANNA: She won't talk to any one. And no one need talk to

her.

KURUDAWA: If you say so.

(Exits.)

APPANNA: (So she can hear) I put a lock on the door so those

with sight could see. Now what does one do about blind

meddlers? I think I'll keep a watch dog.

(Opens the door and goes in. To Rani.)

I am lunching out today. I'll have my bath and go. Just heat

up a glass of milk for me.

(Goes into the bathroom. Mimes bathing. Rani boils the

milk. Pours it in a glass and starts to take it out. Notices the

piece of root. Stops. Thinks. Runs out. Sees that he is still

bathing. Runs back into the kitchen, makes a paste of the

root.)

APPANNA: (Dressing) Milk!

(Ranijumps with fright. Hurriedly mixes the paste into the

milk. Comes out and gives Appanna the glass of milk. He

drinks it in a single gulp. Hands the glass back to her. Goes

to the door, ready to put the lock on. She watches him

intently. He tries to shut the door. Suddenly clutches his

head. Slides down to the floor. Stretches out and goes to

sleep on the door- step, half inside and half outside the house.

Rani is distraught. Runs to him. Shakes him. He doesn't

wake up. He is in a deep sleep. She tries to drag him into

the house, but he is too heavy for her. She sits down and

starts crying.)

APPANNA: (Groggily) Water! Water!

(She brings a pot of water. Splashes it on his face. He wakes

up slowly, staggers up. Washes his face. Pushes her in. Locks

the door from outside. Goes away. Rani watches, stunned.

Slowly goes back to her bedroom. Starts talking to herself. It

becomes night.)

RANI: .... So the demon locks her up in his castle. Then it

rains for seven days and seven nights. It pours. The sea floods

the city. The waters break down the door of the castle. Then

a big whale comes to Rani and says: 'Come, Rani, let us

go . . .'

(She falls asleep. Midnight. Kappanna enters carrying

Kurudawa. Stumbles on a stone. They fall.)

KURUDAWA: Thoo! That's the problem with having eyes: one

can't see in the dark. That's why I have been telling you to let

me go on my own at least at night-- -

KAPPANNA: Go! Go! From this point on you can certainly go on

alone. I refuse to come any closer to that house. And what

are you doing, Mother? Suppose he is in the house. And he

hears you. What will you say? That you have come to gossip

with his wife in the dead of night?

KURUDAWA: Shut up! We are here only to find out if the lock is

gone yet. If it's gone, he is inside now. That means success is

ours. We'll leave right away.

(Goes and touches the door. It is closed. Tip- toes to feel the

latch. The lock is still there. Recoils in surprise.)

I can't believe it. The lock is still there! (Thinks.)

Perhaps he has taken her out to the fields or the garden!

(Laughs.)

RANI: (Wakes up.) Who is that?

KURUDAWA: Me.

RANI: (Comes running.) Who? Kurudawa? This time of the

night?

KURUDAWA: What happened, child? Why is the lock still there?

(No reply.)

Did you feed him the root?

RANI: Yes.

KURUDAWA: And what happened?

RANI: Nothing. He felt giddy. Fainted. Then got up and left.

KURUDAWA: That's bad. This is no ordinary infatuation then.

That concubine of his is obviously--

RANI: Who ?

KURUDAWA: Didn't want to tell you. There is a woman, a bazaar

woman. She has your husband in her clutches. Squeezes him

dry. Maybe she's cast a spell. There is only one solution to

this--

RANI: What?

KURUDAWA: (Giving her the bigger piece.) Feed him this larger

piece of root.

RANI: No!

KURUDAWA: Yes!

RANI: That little piece made him sick. This one--

KURUDAWA: It will do good, believe me. This is not hearsay. I

am telling you from my own experience. Go in. Start grinding

it. Make a tasty curry. Mix the paste in it. Let him taste a

spoonful and he will be your slave. And then? Just say the

word and he will carry you to my house himself.

(Rani blushes.)

Son! Son!

(To Rani.) Remember. Don't let anything frighten you.

(Rani goes into the kitchen. Kurudawa wakes up Kappanna.

They exit. It gets brighter. Appanna comes. He has a

vicious- looking log on a chain with him. He brings it to the

front yard and ties it to a tree stump there. Then comes to

the front door and unlocks it. The log begins to bark.

Surprised at the bark, Rani peers out of the window.)

RANI: Oh! A dog--

APPANNA: That blind woman and her son! Let them step here

again and they'll know--! I'll bathe and come to eat. Serve

my food.

(Goes to the bathroom and starts bathing. Rani takes down

her pot of curry. Removes the lilt Takes out the paste of the

root.)

RANI: (To the Story.) Shall I pour it in?

STORY: Yes. (Continuing the narration) So Rani prayed silently to

the gods and poured the paste into the curry. There was an

explosion. The curry Burned red--blood red. Steam, pink

and furious, enveloped Rani.

(Rani mimes the entire action. Appanna calmly continues his

bath. It is evident he has heard nothing.)

RANI: Oh my god! What horrible mess is this? Blood. Perhaps

poison. Shall I serve him this? That woman is blind, but he

isn't. How could he possibly not see this boiling blood, this

poisonous red? And then even if he doesn't see it--how do

I know it is not dangerous? Suppose something happens to

my husband? What will my fate be? That little piece made

him ill. Who knows . . .?

(Slaps herself on her cheeks.)

ND, no. Forgive me, God. This is evil. I was about to commit

a crime. Father, Mother, how could I, your daughter, agree to

such a heinous act? NO, I must get rid of this before he

notices anything.

(She brings the pot out. Avoids the husband in the

bathroom. Steps out of the house. Starts pouring out the

curry. Stops.)

RANI: No! HOW awful! It's leaving a red stain. He is bound to

notice it, right here on the door- step! What shall I do?

- Where can I pour it, so he won't see?

STORY: Rani, put it in that ant- hill.

RANI: Ah, the ant- hill!

(Runs to the tan ant- hill. Starts pouring the liquid into it.

The dog starts howling in the front yard.)

APPANNA: Rani! See what is bothering the dog!

(Surprised at receiving no reply.) Rani! Rani!

(Goes to the kitchen, frying himself. She is not there. Comes

to the front door looking for her. By this time Rani has

poured the curry into the ant- hill and is running back to the

house. The moment she turns her back to the ant- hill, a

King Cobra lifts its hoof, hissing, out of the ant- hill. Look

around. It sees Rani and follows her at a distance. By the

time she has reacher the front door of her house, it is behind

a nearby tree, watching her.

Rani comes to the front door and freezes. Appanna is

waiting for her.)

APPANNA: Rani, where have you been?

(No answer.)

I said, where have you been? Rani, answer me!

(Moves aside so she can go in. But the moment she steps in,

Appanna slaps her hard. Rani collapses to the floor. He does

not look at her again. Just pulls the door shut, locks it from

outside and goes away. There is not a trace of anger in

anything he does. Just cold contempt. The dog barks loudly

at the King Cobra which watches from behind the tree,

hissing, excited, restless. Appanna goes away. Rani goes to

her bedroom. Throws herseydown in her usual corner,

crying.

It gets dark.

The King Cobra is still watching from under the tree. The

dog continues to bark.

When it is totally dark, the Cobra moves toward the

house. The barking becomes louder, more continuous. Rani

wakes up, goes to the window, curses and shouts. Goes back

to bed The Cobra enters the house through the drain in the

bathroom.)

STORY: As you know, a cobra can assume any form it likes.

That night, it entered the house through the bathroom drain

and took the shape of--

(The Cobra takes the shape of Appanna. To distinguish this

Appanna from the real one, we shall call him Naga, meaning

a 'Cobra'.

Naga searchesforRaniin the house. Finds her sleeping in

the bedroom. Watches her.)

.)

ACT TWO

(Rani is sleeping and Naga is watching her from a distance, exactly

as at the end of ACT ONE. He moves scarer her and then gently

caresses her. She wakes up with a start.)

RANI: You- you

NAGA: Don t get up.

RANI: But, when did you come? Shall I serve the food?

NAGA: (Laughs.) Food? At midnight?

MINI: Then something else. Perhaps--

(Doesn't know what to say. Stands dazed, leaning against the

wall.)

NAGA: Why don't you sit? Are you so afraid of me?

(She shakes her head.)

Then sit down.

RANI: No.

NAGA: I will go and sit there. Away from you. Will you at least

sit then?

(Moves away, sits on the floor at a distance from ber.)

Now?

(Rani sits on the edge of the bed. Long silence. She is dozing

but struggles to keep her eyes open.)

NAGA: You are very beautiful.

RANI: (Startled.) Hm? What? Do you--want something?

NAGA: No. I said you are very beautiful. Poor thing!

RANI: Poor thing - ?

NAGA: That a tender bud like you should get such a rotten

husband.

RANI: I didn't say anything!

NAGA: You didn't. I am saying it. Did it hurt . . . the beating

this morning?

RANn: No.

NAGA: Locked up in the house all day.... You must be missing

your parents.

RANI: (Struggles to hold back a sob.) No.

NAGA: They doted on you, didn't they?

(She suddenly bursts out into a fit of weeping.)

NAGA: (Startled) What is it?

(Rani continues to howl.)

I know, you want to see your parents, don't you? All right.

I'll arrange that.

(She looks at him dumbfounded.)

Truly. Now, smile. Just a bit. Look, I'll send you to them only

if you smile now.

(Rani tries to smile. A new outburst of barking from the dog.)

Oh! Does this dog carry on like that all night? How long is it

since you had a good night's sleep?

RANI: But--

NAGA: (Happy to see her react.) But what?

R~n: Nothing.

NAGA: (In order to provoke her.) Listen to that racket! Have you

had even one good night's sleep. since coming here?

Rain: But--

NAGA: What are you 'but'ting about? But what?

RANI: But you brought the dog here only this morning! There

was no problem all these days.

NAGA: (Trying to cover up.) Yes, of course.

RA'n: Till this morning, once the housework was over . . . what

was there to do? I used to sleep through the day and lie

awake at night. Today this wretched dog has been barking

away since it was brought here. That's why I was dozing

when you came in. I'm sorry--

NAGA: (Teasing) Quite right! That won't do any more. From

tomorrow I want you to be fresh and bright when I come

home at night--

Rain: (Uncertain) At night?

NAGA: Yes. I shall come home every night from now on. May I?

(Rani laughs shyly. Pause. She is sleepy.)

May I sit by you now? Or will that make you jump out of

your skin again?

(Ranishakes her tread. Naga comes and sits very close to

her. When she tries to move away, he suddenly grabs her,

with frightening speed.)

NAGA: Don't be afraid. Put your head against my shoulder.

(She slowly puts her head on his shoulder. He gently puts his

arm around her.)

NAGA: Now, don't be silly. I am not a mongoose or a hawk that

you should be so afraid of me. Good. Relax. Tell me about

your parents. What did all of you talk about? Did they

pamper you? Tell me everything--

(She has fallen asleep against his chest. He slowly unties her

hair. It is long and thick and covers them both. He picks up

her hair in his hand, smells it.)

NAGA: What beautiful, long hair! Like dark, black, snake

princesses!

(He lays her down gently. Gets up. Goes to the bathroom,

turns into his original self and slither away. Morning. Rani

wakes up, and looks around. No husband. Comes to the

front door. Pushes it. It is still locked. Baffled, she washes

her face, goes to the kitchen and starts cooking.

The dog starts barking. Appanna comes. Pats the dog.)

APPANNA: Hello, friend! No intruders tonight, eh?

(He unlocks the door and steps in. At the noise of the door,

Rani comes out running. She is laughing.)

RANI: But when did you go away? I'm . . . ~

(Freezes when she sees the expression of distaste on his face.)

APPANNA: Yes?

RANI: Oh! Nothing.

APPANNA: Good.

(Goes to the bathroom. Rani stares after him, then returns

to the kitchen.)

RANn I must have been dreaming again--

(Appanna bathes, then eats silently as usual and leaves. It

grows dark. Night. Rani lies in bed, wide awake. A long

silence. The Cobra comes out of the ant- hill and enters the

darkenediront yard of her house. The dog suddenly begins

to bark. Then, sounds of the dog growling and fighting,

mixed with the hiss of a snake. The racket ends when the

dog gives a long, painful howl and goes silent. Rani rushes

to the window to see what is happening. It is dark. She

cannot see anything. When silence is restored, she returns to

her bed.

The Cobra enters the house through the drain and

becomes Naga. In the bathroom, he washes blood offhis

cheeks and shoulder and goes to Rani's room. When she

bears his step on the stairs, she covers her head with the

sheet. Naga comes, sees her, smiles, sits on the edge of

her bed Waits. She peeps out, sees him, closes her eyes

tight.)

NAGA: What nonsense is this?

(Without opening her eyes, Rani bites her forefinger. Gives a

my of pain.)

What is going on, Rani?

RANI: (Rubbing her finger.) I must be going mad.

NAGA: Why?

RANI: (To herself.) His visit last night--I assumed I must have

dreamt that. I am certainly not draining now. Which means I

am going mad. Spending the whole day by myself is rotting

my brain.

NAGA: It is not a dream. I am not a figment of your imagination

either. I am here. I am sitting in front of you. Touch me.

Come on! You won't? Well, then. Talk to me. No? All right.

Then I had better go.

RANT: Don t. Please.

NAGA: What is the point of sitting silent like a stone image?

RANI: What do you--want me to say?

NAGA: Anything. Tell me about yourself. About your parents.

Whatever comes into your head. If you want me to stay, tell

me why. If you want me to go, say why.

RANI: (Pouting.) What can I say if you behave like this?

NAGA: Like what?

RANI: You talk so nicely at night. But during the day I only have

to open my mouth and you hiss like a . . . stupid snake.

(Naga laughs.)

It's all very well for you to laugh. I feel like crying.

NAGA: What should I do then--stop coming at night? Or

during the day?

RANI: Who am I to tell you that? It's your house. Your pleasure.

NAGA: No, let's say, the husband decides on the day visits. And

the wife decides on the night visits. So I won't come at night

if you don't want me to.

RANI: (Eyes filling up.) Why do you tease me like this? I am sick

of being alone. And then tonight, I was terrified you might

not come--that what I remembered from last night may be

just a dream. I was desperate that you should come again

tonight. But, what am I to say if you spin riddles like this?

NAGA: (Seriously.) I am afraid that is how it is going to be.

Like that during the day. Like this at night. Don't ask me

why.

RANI: I won t.

NAGA: Come. You slept like a child in my arms last night. You

must be sleepy now. Come. Go to sleep.

RANI: (Moves into his arms, suddenly stops.) But, what is this?

(Touches his cheek.)

Blood on your cheeks! And your shoulders! That looks like

tooth- marks. Did you run into a thorn bush or a barbed- wire

fence on your way here?

NAGA: Don t worry about it.

RANI: Wait. Let me apply that ointment Mother gave me. Where

is it? I took it out the other day when I cut my thumb slicing

onions. Where did I put it? Oh, yes! The mirror- box!

(She rushes to the mirror- box and opens it. Before Naga can

move away so Rani won't see his reflection, she looks at him

in the mirror. Screams in fright. He moves with lightening

speed, pulls her away from the mirror and holds her in his

arms. She is trembling.)

NAGA: What is it? What is it, Rani?

(He gently shuts the mirror- box and pushes it away. Rani

turns and looks at where he had been sitting.)

RANI: When I looked in the mirror, I saw there--where you

were sitting--instead of you, I saw a--

(Mimes a cobra hood with her fingers.)

--sitting there.

NAGA: What? A cobra?

RANI:(Silencing him.) Shh! Don't mention it. They say that if

you mention it by name at night, it comes into the house.

NAGA: All right. Suppose a cobra does come into this

house . . .

RANI: Don't! Why are you tempting fate by calling that

unmentionable thing by its name?

NAGA: . . . why shouldn't it come with love?

RANI: May God bless our house and spare us that calamity. The

very thought makes me shudder.

NAGA: I am here now. Nothing more to fear.

(They sit on the bed together.)

RANI: Oh no! What am I to do with myself? In all this, I forgot

to put the ointment on your wounds.

(She tries to get up. He forces her down. She gently touches

his wounds. Shivers.)

Your blood is so cold. It's the way you wander about day and

night heedless of wind and rain--

(Stares into his eyes. Suddenly shuts her eyes and clasps him.)

NAGA: What is it now?

RANI: (Looking up.) Since I looked into the mirror I seem to be

incapable of thinking of anything else. Father says: 'If a bird

so much as looks at a cobra--'

NAGA: There! Now you said 'cobra'. Now he is bound to

come--

(He mimes a cobra's hood with his hand.)

RANI: Let it. I don't feel afraid anymore, with you beside me.

Father says: 'The cobra simply hooks the bird's eyes with its

own sight. The bird stares--and stares unable to move its

eyes. It doesn't feel any fear either. It stands fascinated,

watching the changing colours in the eyes of the cobra. It just

stares, its wings half- opened as though it was sculpted in the

sunlight.'

NAcA Then the snake strikes and swallows the bird.

(He kisses her. They freeze. The Flames surround them and

sing the song of the Flames (see p. 30). Rani gets up and goes

and sits in a corner hiding her face behind her knees, her arms

untrapped around her Iegs.)

NAGA: What is it now?

RANI: Go away! Don't talk to me.

NAGA: But why are you crying?

RANI: I said be quiet.

(Pause.)

I didn't know you were such a bad man. I should have

known the moment you started using honeyed words.

(Pause.)

Had I known, I would never have agreed to marry you. What

will Father and Mother say if they come to know?

NAGA: They will say: 'Good! Our daughter is following nicely in

our footsteps--'

RANI: (Exploding.) Quiet! I warn you, I am your wife and you

don't have to answer anyone about me. But I will not have

you say such things about my parents. They are not

like--like like dogs!

NAGA: (Laughs.) What have dogs done to deserve sole credit for

it, you silly goose? Frogs croaking in pelting rain, tortoises

singing soundlessly in the dark, foxes, crabs, ants, rattlers,

sharks, swallows--even the geese! The female begins to smell

like the wet earth. And stung by her smell, the King Cobra

starts searching for his Queen. The tiger bellows for his mate.

When the flame of forest blossoms into a fountain of red and

the earth cracks open at the touch of the aerial roots of the

banyan, it moves in the hollow of the cottonwood, in the flow

of the estuary, the dark limestone caves from the womb of the

heavens to the dark netherworlds, within everything that

sprouts, grows, stretches, creaks and blooms--everywhere,

those who come together, cling, fall apart lazily! It is there

and there and there, everywhere.

RANI: Goodness! Goats have to be sacrificed and buffaloes

slaughtered to get a word out of you in the mornings. But at

night--how you talk! Snakes and lizards may do what they

like, but human beings should have some sense of shame.

NAGA: (Suddenly looks out.) It is almost dawn. I must go.

RANI: No! No!

NAGA: The birds. Listen!

RANI: Why don't those birds choke on their own songs? Who

has given them the right to mess about with other creatures'

nights?

NAGA: I'll be back again at night.

RANI: Only at night? Not for lunch?

NAGA: Of course. There's always that. (Pause.) Listen, Rani. I

shall come home every day twice. At night and of course

again at mid- day. At night, wait for me here in this room.

When I come and go at night, don't go out of this room, don't

look out of the window--whatever the reason. And don't ask

me why.

RANI: No, I won't. The pig, the whale, the eagle--none of them

asks why. So I won't either. But they ask for it again. So I can

too, can't I?

(Runs to him and embraces him.)

(while the above scene is in progress, Kurudawa and

Kappanna have arrived outside. As usual, he lowers her to

the ground and sits under the tree. She goes to the door.

Stumbles over the dog. Surprised, she feels it, makes sure it

is dead. Feels the lock on the door. Calls out in a whisper.)

KURUDAWA: Kappanna!

KAPPANNA: Yes.

KURUDAWA: Come here.

KAPPANNA: No, I won t.

KURUDAWA: I said come here. This fool doesn't understand a

thing. Quick. Something funny is happening here.

(Reluctantly, Kappanna comes to the door.)

Look here.

KAPPANNA: A dog. And it is dead!

KURUDAWA: It wasn't here the night before. And the lock is still

there. I wonder what the silly girl has gone and done. Look

inside the house. Can you see anything?

KAPPANNA: (Looking) No!

KURUDAWA: Listen.

(They listen. Naga walks toward the bathroom.)

KAPPANNA: Footsteps.

KURUDAWA: It s a man.

KAPPANNA: Appanna! He is inside. He will be out any minute!

KURUDAWA: He can't! What about the lock? (Thinks.) And if

Appanna locked the door from the outside, who is in there

now? Look, look. See who it is.

KAPPANNA: I can't see anything from here.

KURUDAWA: Try the window at the back.

(Reluctantly he goes to the backyard. Naga goes to the

bathroom, turns into a King Co/vra and goes out of the

drain, just as Kappanna arrives at the spot and sees the

Cobra emerge.)

KAPPANNA: (Screams.) Snake! Snake! A cobra!

(Rushes to the front door, picks up Kurudawa and starts to

run.)

KURUDAWA: Where?

KAPPANNA: In the backyard! Out of the bathroom drain!

KURUDAWA: Then why are you running? It isn't following us, is

it? It should be gone by now. Let me down! Let me down!

(Rani hears the commotion, comes running to the front

door.)

RANI: Who is it? Kurudawa?

KURUDAWA: Let me down! Yes, it s me, child.

(Comes hack to the door.)

KAPPANNA: Don't go too near, Mother. It may still be there--

RANI: What is it, Kurudawa? Who was that shouting?

KURUDAWA: I won't come any closer. I'll speak from here.

Kappanna says he saw a cobra there.

RANI: Where?

KURUDAWA: Coming out of your bathroom drain.

RANI: Oh my God! I hope he didn't go to the bathroom--

(Rushes to the bathroom, calling out to Appanna.)

KURUDAWA: Who do you mean? Appanna?

RANI: Yes.

(She is relieved to f nd.the bathroom empty. Comes back to

the front door.) He is not there. I told you--he left just a few

minutes ago.

KURUDAWA: We have been here the last half hour. No one has

come out.

RANn He certainly isn't in the house!

(Pushes the door.)

There! The door is locked from the outside. It wouldn't be if

he was in here, would it? Perhaps you didn't see him come

out?

KURUDAWA: Maybe so. Well, my child, have you started your

married life?

RANI: (Blushing) Yes, Kurudawa.

(Yawns.)

KURUDAWA: (Laughs) Tired? Poor thing! So you see the power

of my root? Didn't I tell you your husband will cling to you

once he tastes it?

28

.

NAGA- MANDAL`A

(Rani embarrassed, tries to laugh.)

KURUDAWA: Well, my work is done. I 11 be off now. Bless you.

Burn incense in a ladle and stick it into the drain. Keeps the

reptiles out.

RANI: Please come again.

(Kappanna lifts up Kurudawa: They talk in whispers.)

KAPPANNA: If the steps we heard were Appanna's, well, he

certainly hasn't come out of the house.

KURUDAWA: Of course, he is in there. Once couples start

playing games, they begin to invent some pretty strange ones.

Come on. Let's go.

(They move. Rani thinksfora while, goes into the bedroom.

Kappanna, carrying Kurudawa, suddenly stiffens. Stands

frozen, staring at something in the distance.)

KURUDAWA: Kappanna--Kappanna--

(He does not respond. She hits him on his back in an effort

to wake him up. But he is immobile.)

KURUDAWA: (Panicky) Kappanna! What is it? Why do you act

like this? Kappanna--

(He suddenly wakes up.)

KAPPANNA: Eh? Nothing.

KURUDAWA: What do you mean nothing? Giving me a scare like

that--

KAPPANNA: You won't believe me if I tell you. It was her

again--

KURUDAWA: Why shouldn't I believe you if you talked sense?

Just admit it's one of the girls from a nearby village, instead

of making up fancy stories about some--

KAPPANNA: She is not a village girl. Which village girl will dare

step out at this hour? And I am not making up stories. That

day she floated out from the haunted well. Just now she

stepped out of the cemetery. Looked at me. Smiled and

waved.

KURUDAWA: Perhaps she is an ogress. Of demon birth. Or

someone from the netherworld, perhaps. A spirit. Why don't

you just say who it is--

KAPPANNA: You won t let me--

KURUDAWA: When you talk like this I feel we are falling apart.

It's a fear I have never felt before.

KAPPANNA: Mother, just listen--

KURUDAWA: Shut up now!

(They exit, arguing: It gets brighter. It is mid- day. Appanna

enters. Sees the dead dog.)

APPANNA: What's wrong with this dog? Why is it asleep in the

hot sun?

(Whistles. Then comes nearer and inspects.)

It is dead! Dead! I paid fifty rupees for it!

(Rani comes to the front window and looks out.)

APPANNA: Something has bitten it. Perhaps that cobra--from

that ant- hill . . .

(To Rani) This was no ordinary hound. It cornered a cheetah

once. It must have sensed the cobra. It must have given a

fight. Didn't you hear anything at night?

(She shakes her head. He gets up.)

APPANNA: I'd better go and find an Untouchable to bury the

carcass.

(Appanna exits. Rani stares after him nonplussed. Touches

herself on her cheek.)

RANI: But last night . . . he had blood on his cheeks . . . and

shoulders. Now . . .

(Goes to the kitchen. Starts cooking. Appanna comes, bathes,

sits down to eat. She serves him food. He gets up. Locks the

door and goes away.

While all this is going on, the story narrates the following.)

STORY: The death of the dog infuriated Appanna. He next

brought a mongoose. The mongoose lasted only one day. But

it had evidendy given a tougher fight: its mouth was full of

blood. There were bits of flesh under its claws. Bits of

snakeskin were found in its teeth.

Rani fainted when she saw the dead mongoose. That night

he did not visit her. There was no sign of him the next fifteen

days. Rani spent her nights crying, wailing, pining for him.

When he started coming again, his body was covered with

wounds which had only pardy healed. She applied her

ointment to dhe wounds, tended him. But she never

questioned him about them. It was enough that he had

returned. Needless to say, when her husband came during the

day, there were no scars on him.

(It gets dark on stage. Rani hurriedly lights the lamps in the

house. As she does so, some of the Flames get into position.)

RANI: (to the Flames) Wait now. Don't be impatient. It won't be

long.... It will open out. Reach out with its fragrance.

(Rushes into her bedroom. Waits tensely. Suddenly jumps

up, breathes in deeply.)

RANI: There it is . . . The smell of the blossoming nightqueen!

How it fills the house before he comes! How it welcomes

him! God, how it takes me, sets each fibre in me on fire!

(Naga comes, they embrace. The Flames surround them and

sing. Naga and Rani dance.)

SONG OF THE FLAMES

Come let us dance

through the weaver- bird's nest

and light the hanging lamps

of glow- worms

through the caverns in the ant- hill

and set the diamond

in the cobra's crown ablaze

through the blind woman's dream

through the deaf- mute's song

Come let us flow

down the tresses of time

all light and song.

(It is night. Rani and Naga are in bed together. Naga plays

with her loose hair. She suddenly laughs.)

NAGA: What is it?

RANI: Thank God.

NAGA: Why?

RANI: Ad these days I was never sure I didn't just dream up

these nightly visits of yours. You don't know how I have

suffered. When I saw your scowling face in the mornings, I

would be certain everything was a fantasy and almost want to

cry. But my real anxiety began as the evening approached. I

would merely lie here, my eyes shut tight. What is there to

see after all? The same walls. The same roof. As the afternoon

passed my whole being got focused in my ears. The bells of

cattle returning hom~that means it is late afternoon. The

Act II

cacophony of birds in a far- away tree it is sunset. The

chorus of crickets spreading from one grove to another--it is

night. Now he will come. Suppose he doesn't tonight?

Suppose the nightqueen bush does not blossom? Suppose

it's all a dream? Every night the same anxiety. The same

cold feeling deep within me! Thank God. That's all past

now.

NAGA: Why?

RANI: I have definite evidence to prove I was not fantasizing.

NAGA: What evidence?

RANI: I am pregnant.

(He stares at her, dumbfounded.)

Why are you looking at me like that? There is a baby in my

womb.

(He stares blankly.)

We are going to have a baby.

(Pause.)

It doesn't make you happy?

(Anguished . What am I going to do with you ? Laugh ? Cry ?

Bang my head against the wall? I can never guess how you'll

react. I thought you would dance with joy on hearing the

news. That you would whirl me around and fondle me. Feel

my stomach gently and kiss me. All that--

(Pause.)

Actually, I was also afraid you might not do anything of that

sort. That's why I hid the news from you all these months. I

can't make any sense of you even when it is just the two of

us. Now a third life joins us! I didn't know if that would be

too much for you. So I was silent.

(Her eyes fill up.)

What I feared has come true. What kept me silent has

happened. You are not happy about the baby. You are not

proud that I am going to be a mother. Sometimes you are so

cold- blooded--you cannot be human.

(Forcibly puts his hand on her belly.)

Just feel! Feel! Our baby is crouching in there, in the

darkness, listening to the sounds from the world outside--as I

do all day long.

NAGA: (Dully) I am glad you hid the news from me all this time.

Even now, try to keep from speaking about it as long as

possible. Keep it a secret.

RANI: From whom?

NAGA: From me.

RANI: What are you talking about? I have already told you. How

can it be a secret again? And how long can it remain a secret?

~a~11 &~ Vie

Another fifteen days? Three weeks?

NAGA: (Sadly) I realize it cannot remain a secret for long. That is

why I said, as long as possible. Please, do as I tell you.

RANI: (Blankly) Yes, I shall. Don't ask questions. Do as I tell

you. Don't ask questions. Do as I tell you. No. I won't ask

questions. I shall do what you tell me. Scowls in the day.

Embraces at night. The face in the morning unrelated to the

touch at night. But day or night, one motto does not change:

Don't ask questions. Do as I tell you.

(He is silent.)

I was a stupid, ignorant girl when you brought me here. But

now I am a woman, a wife, and I am going to be a mother. I

am not a parrot. Not a cat or a sparrow. Why don't you take

it on trust that I have a mind and explain this charade to me?

Why do you play these games? Why do you change like a

chameleon from day to night? Even if I understood a little, a

tiny bit--I could bear it. But now--sometimes I feel my head

is going to burst!

(Naga opens his mouth to say something.)

RANI: I know. Don't ask questions. Do as I say.

NAGA: (Laughs.) That is not what I was going to say.

RANI: You don't want the child, do you? If I had remained

barren, I could have spent my whole life happily stying to

work out whether all of this was real or a dream. But this is

no dream now. Dreams remain in heads. This one has sent

roots deep down into my womb.

(Suddenly.)

What shall I do? Shall I have an abortion?

(Naga stares, blankly.)

I may find a sharp instrument in the kitchen--a ladle, a knife.

Or I can ask Kurudawa's help. No, it's too late. It is five

months old. Too big to be kept a secret. Forgive me. I know it's

my fault. But the secret will be out whatever I do.

I do.

NAGA: It's almost morning. I must go.

RANI: (Waking up.) What?

NAGA: I have to go.

RANI: (Gently.) Go.

(She turns away. Naga takes a step to go. They both freeze.

The lights change sharply from night to mid- day. In a flash,

Naga becomes Appanna: Pushes her to the floor and kicks

her.)

APPANNA: Aren't you ashamed to admit it, you harlot? I locked

you in, and yet you managed to find a lover! Tell me who it

is. Who did you go to with your sari off?

RANI: I swear to you I haven't done anything wrong!

APPANNA: You haven't? And yet you have a bloated tummy. Just

pumped air into it, did you? And you think I'll let you get

away with that? You shame me in front of the whole village,

you darken my face, you slut--!

(He beats her. The Cobra watches this through a window

and moves about, frantic. Neither notices it.)

APPANNA: I swear to you I am not my father's son, if I don't

abort that bastard! Smash it into dust! Right now--

(Drags her into the street. Picks up a huge stone to throw on

her. The Cobra moves forward, hissing loudly, drawing

attention to itself. Rani screams.)

RANI: Oh my God! A snake! A cobra!

(Appanna throws the stone at the Cobra which instantly

withdraws. Rani uses this moment to run into the house and

lock herself in. Appanna runs behind her and bangs on the

door.)

APPANNA: Open the door! Open the door, you whore! All right

then, I'll show you. I'll go to the Village Elders. If they don't

throw that child into boiling oil and you along with it, my

name is not Appanna.

(He exits. She rushes to her bedroom. Lights change to night.

She is crying on the floor. Naga comes and sits glumly nearby.)

RANI: Why are you humiliating me like this? Why are you

stripping me naked in front of the whole village? Why don't

you kill me instead? I would have killed myself. But there's

not even a rope in this house for me to use.

NAGA: Rani, the Village Elders will sit in judgement. You will be

summoned. That cannot be avoided.

RANI: Look at the way you talk--as if you were referring to

someone else. After all, you complained to the Elders about

me. Now you can go and withdraw the complaint. Say my

wife isn't a whore.

NAGA: I'm sorry, but it can't be done. Rani, listen You do

trust me, don't you?

RANI: You ask me that? Isn't all this a result of trusting you?

(Suddenly helpless.) Who else is there for me?

NAGA: Then listen to me carefully. When you face the Elders,

tell them you will prove your innocence. Say you will

undertake the snake ordeal.

RANI: Snake ordeal? What is that?

NAGA: There is an enormous ant- hill under the banyan tree.

Almost like a mountain. A King Cobra lives in it. Say you will

put your hand into the ant- hill--

RANI: (Screams.) What?

NAGA: Yes. And pull out the King Cobra. And take your oath

by that cobra.

RANI: I can't! I can't!

NAGA: There is no other way.

RANI: Yes, there is. Give me poison instead. Kill me right here.

At least I'll be spared the humiliation. Won't the cobra bite

me the moment I touch it? I'll die like your dog and your

mongoose.

NAGA: No, it won t bite. Only, you must tell the truth.

RANT: What truth?

NAGA: The truth. Tell the truth while you are holding the cobra.

RANI: What truth? Shall I say my husband forgets his nights by

next morning? Shall I say my husband brought a dog and a

mongoose to kill this cobra, and yet suddenly he seems to

know all about what the cobra will do or not do?

NAGA: Say anything. But you must speak the truth.

RANI: And if I lie?

NAGA: It will bite you.

RANI: God!

(And then gently, almost menacingly.)

And suppose what I think is the truth turns out to be false?

NAGA: I'm afraid it will have to bite you. What you think is not

of any consequence. It must be the truth.

(Anguished.)

I can't help it, Rani. That's how it has always been. That's

how it will always be.

RANI: Oh, God!

NAGA: (Gets up.) All will be well, Rani. Don't worry. Your

husband will become your slave tomorrow. You will get all

you have ever wanted.

(He turns to go.)

RANT: Wait!

(She suddenly runs to him and embraces him.)

Please hold me eight. I'm afraid. Not of the cobra. Nor of

death! Of you. For you. You say you'll become my slave

tomorrow. That we will be together again. Why then does

your heart hammer so frantically? I had not even noticed it

until now. And now, why is it fluttering like a bird ambushed

in a net? Why this welcome to my child?

(He slowly moves her away. Unable to look at him, unable

to keep quiet, she leans her forehead against the wall.)

The night is almost over. You must go. But I know this is not

a morning like any before. Tomorrow won't be a day like any

other day. I don't want any tomorrows. Or days after. I want

this night to last forever. Remain unchanged. I mustn't let you

go. I must listen to my heart and hold you back. Take you

like a baby in my arms and keep you safe.

(As she talks, Naga moves down - the steps, turns into a

snake and goes away. She suddenly turns to him. He is not

there.)

Listen. Please. Wait.

(She rushes out. Runs to the front door. Lifts her hand to

open the latch. And freezes.)

But the door . . . I had locked it from inside. And it is still

locked.

(A new thought occurs to her. Almost unconsciously she runs

to the bathroom. Looks inside, it is empty.)

Where are you? Where are you?

(Sudden commotion. Crowds of villagers fill the stage from

all sides. The three Elders come and take their positions near

the ant- hill. The stage becomes the village square.)

ELDER I: Dear child, we have done our best. But you refuse to

o

listen to us. We have no alternative now but to give in to

your demands.

ELDER II: It brings no credit to the visage to have a husband

publicly question his wife's chastity. But Appanna here says:

Since the day of our wedding, I have not once touched my

wife or slept by her side. And yet she is pregnant. He has

registered the complaint, so we must judge its merits.

ELDER m The traditional test in our Village Court has been to

take the oath while holding a red- hot iron in the hand.

Occasionally, the accused has chosen to plunge the hand in

boiling oil. But you insist on swearing by the King Cobra.

The news has spread and, as you can see, attracted large

crowds.

ELDER I: This Village Court has turned into a Country Fair.

Such curiosity is not healthy for the village, nor conducive to

Justice.

ELDER III: Listen to us even now. If something goes wrong and

the Cobra bites you, not just your life but the life of the child

you carry will be in jeopardy. We risk the sin of killing your

unborn child.

ELDER II: To risk visiting such a sin on the whole village and the

Village Elders purely for a personal whim of yours is not

right. Think again. Listen to us. Desist from this stupidity.

ELDER I: We shall be content if you go through the ordeal of

the red- hot iron.

RANI: I am young and immature. I know nothing. But I ask

pardon of the Elders. I must swear by the King Cobra.

(The Elders discuss animatedly among themselves.)

ELDER I: All right. If you insist. Come now child. Truth shall

prevail. Come.

(Rani steps up to the ant- hill. The crowds surge forward.

The Cobra rears its head out of the ant- hill. The crowd steps

back in terror. Even Rani is scared and runs back. The

Cobra waits, swaying its hood. Rani steps farther and farther

back. The Cobra goes back into the ant- hill.)

ELDER I: Go on, child. Don t delay now.

RANI: I am scared. Please--if the Cobra bites me, what shall I

do? I am afraid--

(Runs to Appanna.)

Please, please, help me--

APPANA: You whore--!

ELDER III: Appana, there is no need to be vituperative. She may have erred. But she

is a child yet. Even if we feel shaken. Even we feel shaken

by the sight of the King Cobra. So her fright is quite

understandable.

ELDER1: If you are afraid, there is no reason to go through with the ordeal. Accept

your guilt. We hsall then consider the punishment.

RANI: But I have not done anything wrong. I am not guilty of

anything. What shall I plead guilty to?

ELDER II: (Angry) Listen to me. We have been patient until now

because of your youth. We have given in to your whims. But

you have tested us enough. Either confess or accept the

ordeal.

ELDER III: Remember, child, you have a choice of ordeals even

now.

RANI: (Looking at the ant- hill) Yes, I shall take my oath . . .

holding the red- hot iron.

(A roar of disappointment from the crowds. But the Elders

are delighted.)

APPANNA: This is ridiculous! You can't allow this harlot....

ELDER I: Heaven be praised. It's a load off our conscience.

ELDER II: We have been saved.

ELDER III: Hurry up now.... Heat the iron rod. Quick!

(In all this confusion, Kurudawa enters calling her

son.)

KURUDAWA: Kappanna, my son--Where are you? Can you hear

me?

RANI: Kurudawa--

KURUDAWA: Has my son come here? Why is he teasing me like

this? Kappanna--

RANI: Kurudawa--

(Tries to rush after her but is stopped by Appanna.)

APPANNA: Where do you think you are going?

ELDER I: Do you know that old woman? Don't you know she

has gone mad?

ELDER II: Her son disappeared a week ago.

ELDER III: We have all told her he is not in the village. But

.

she won't listen. Wanders around day and night calling

hit

KURUDAWA: Kappanna, son--

RANI: (Snarling atAppanna) If you don't let go, I'll--

(Taken aback by her fury, Appanna lets her go.)

ELDER III: Let her. The rod isn't hot yet.

RANI: (Runs to Kurulawa) Help me, Kurudawa. Help me,

please--

KURUDAWA: Do you know where he is? He--

RANI: It's me. Rani. What shall I do? I don't know .

KURUDAWA: My Kappanna is gone. Melted away.

RANI: I am innocent, Kurudawa. I haven't done anything, what

shall I do?

KURUDAWA: I woke up. It was midnight. I heard him panting.

He was not in his bed. He was standing up . . . stiff . . . like

a wooden pillar. Suddenly I knew. There was someone else in

the house. A third person . . .

RANI: (Mesmerized) Who was it?

KURUDAWA: If only I had my eyes! I would have seen her. I

would have recognized. But what can one do with these

pebbles? When he tried to tell me I didn't listen. I wasidea[[sterling]]

A temptress from beyond? A yaksha woman--Perhaps a

snake woman? But not a human being. No. What woman

would come inside our house at that hour? And how? She

wasn't even breathing. I shouted: 'Who are you? What do

you want from us? Go away!' Suddenly the door burst open.

The rushing wind shook the rafters. He slipped from my

hands and was gone. Never came back.

ELDER I: Rani--

KURUDAWA: Now I wander about calling him. They tell me he

is not in the village. They think I am mad. I know he is not

here. I know he won't come back. But what can I do? How can

I sit in the house doing nothing? I must do something for him.

ELDER 1: Rani--

KURUDAWA: (Getting up) I must go. Look for my son. Can t

waste time like this--Kappanna, Son, it's your Mother. Don't

torment me now, child....

(Goes out. Rani stands staring in her direction. Then turns

to theStory.)

RANI: Why should she suffer like this? Would sight have

helped? Do desires really reach out from some world beyond

right into our beds?

(The crowd has become restive. So Rani's remaining

questions get lost in the increasing hubub. We only see her

addressing the Story, who does not answer.)

ELDER I: Silence! Silence!

(The aowdfalls silent. Only the last part of Rani's dialogue

is heard.)

RANI:(To the Story) Why should I let you push me around? Isn't

it better to accept the kiss of the Cobra and the dark silence

of the ant- hill?

ELDER II: Come, child. The iron rod is hot and ready.

RANi: No. I want the ordeal by the Cobra.

(Goes to the ant- hill, plunges her hand into it and pulls the

Cobra out.)

ELDER III: Be quick, now.

RANI: Since coming to this village, I have held by this hand, only

two....

APPANNA: (Triumphant.) There. She admits it. Two, she says.

Two! Who are they?

RANI: My husband and...

APPANNA: And - say it, who else?

RANI: And this Cobra.

(Suddenly words pour out.)

Yes, my husband and this King Cobra. Except for these two,

I have not touched any one The male sex. Nor have I

allowed any other male to touch me. If I lie, let the Cobra

bite me.

(The Cobra slides up her shoulder and spreads its hood like

an umbrella over her head. The crowd gasps. The Cobra

sways its hood gently for a while, then becomes docile and

moves over her shoulder like a garland. Music fills the skies.

The light changes into a soft, luminous glow. Rani stares

uncomprehending as the Cobra slips back into the ant- hill.

There are hosannas and cheers from the crowd.)

ELDER I: A miracle! A miracle!

ELDER II: She is not a woman. She is a Divine Being!

ELDERIII: Indeed,a Goddess--!

ss--!

(They fall at her feet. The crowd surges forward to prostrate

ttseybefore her. Appanna stands, uncomprehending. The

Elders shout, 'Palanquin! Music!' They lift her into the

palanquin. Then, as an afterthought, Appanna is seated next

to her. The couple is taken in procession to their house.)

ELDER I: Appanna, your wife is not an ordinary woman. She is a

goddess incamate. Don't grieve that you judged her wrongly

and treated her badly. That is how goddesses reveal

themselves to the world. You were the chosen instrument for

revealing her divinity.

ELDER t: Spend the rest of your life in her service. You need

merit in ten past lives to be chosen for such holy duty.

ELDER III: Bless us, Mother. Bless our children.

(All disperse, except Rani and Appanna. Appanna opens the

lock on the door, throws it away. He goes in and sits,

mortified, baffled. She comes and stands next to him. Long

pause. Suddenly he falls at her feet.)

APPANNA: Forgive me. I am a sinner. I was blind . . .

RANT: Hush, now!

(She gently takes him in her arms. Music starts in the

background and the words they speak to each other cannot

be heard.)

STORY: So Rani got everything she wished for, a devoted

husband, a happy life. She even got a life- long servant to

draw water for her house. For Appanna's concubine was

present at the trial. When she saw Rani's glory, she felt

ashamed of her sinful life and volunteered to do menial work

in Rani's house. In due course, Rani gave birth to a beautiful

child. A son. Rani lived happily ever after with her husband,

child and servant.

(Her last sentence is drowned in the hubub Heated by the

Flames as they prepare to leave. 'That was a nice story!'

'Has it dawned yet?' 'I don't want to be late', 'Poorgirl!')

MAN: (Exasperated.) These Flames are worse than my audience.

Can't they wait till the story is over?

FLAME 1: But isn t it?

MAN: It can't be. No one will accept this ending.

STORY: But why not?

MAN: Too many loose ends. Take Kappanna's disappearance, for

instance . . .

STORY: Oh, that is Kumdawa's story. If you are interested in

that one, you may find her yet, meet her unexpectedly as you

met me here, in some remote place. Even in the market place

perhaps. Or someone in the audience may know. Or you can

invent the missing details. That would be quite in order. I am

only Rani's story.

MAN: Even then, the present ending just doesn't work.

STORY: And why not?

MAN: It is all right to say Rani lived happily ever after. But what

about Appanna, her husband? As I see him, he will spend the

rest of his days in misery.

(Appanna suddenly moves out of Rani's embrace. Speaks to

himself.)

APPANNA: What am I to do? Is the whole world against me?

Have I sinned so much that even Nature should laugh at me?

I know I haven't slept with my wife. Let the world say what it

likes. Let any miracle declare her a goddess. But I know!

What sense am I to make of my life if that's worth nothing?

STORY: Well then, what about her?

(Rani does not speak but responds restlessly the Story's

following dialogue.)

STORY: No two men make love alike. And that night of the

Village Court, when her tme husband climbed into bed with

her, how could she fail to realize it was someone new? Even

if she hadn't known earlier! When did the split take place?

Every night this conundrum must have spread its hood out at

her. Don't you think she must have cried out in anguish to

know the answer?

MAN: So? The story is not over then?

STORY: When one says, 'And they lived happily ever after', all

that is taken for granted. You sweep such headaches under

the pillow and then press your head firmly down on them. It

is something one has to live with, like a husband who snores,

or a wife who is going bald.

(As the Story speaks, Rani and Appanna come together,

smile, embrace and are plunged into darkness.)

MAN: But that ending lacks something. (Remembering.) Of

course, the Cobra!

STORY: Yes, the Cobra. One day the Cobra was sitting in its

ant- hill and it thought of Rani and said: 'Why should I not go

and take a look?'

(During the above dialogue, the Cobra enters the house,

takes on his human form.)

NAGA: Why should I not take a look? I have given her

everything. Her husband. Her child. Her home. Even her

maid. She must be happy. But I haven't seen her . . . It is

night. She will be asleep. This is the right time to visit her.

The familiar road. At the familiar hour. (Laughs.) Hard to

believe now I was so besotted with her.

(Goes into Rani's bedroom. Rani is sleeping next to her

husband, her head on his shoulders, her long loose tresses

hanging down from the edge of the cot. Her child is by her

side. There is a quiet smile of contentment on her face. Naga

looks at the group and recoils in sudden anguish. Covers his

face as though he cannot bear to see the scene.)

NAGA: Rani! My queen! The fragrance of my nights! The

blossom of my dreams! In another man's arms? In another

man's bed? Does she curl around him as passionately every

night now? And dig her nails into his back? Bite his lips?

And here I am--a sloughed- off skin on the tip of a thorn. An

empty sac of snake- skin. No. I can't bear this. Someone must

die. Someone has to die. Why shouldn't I kill her? If I bury

my teeth into her breast now, she will be mine--mine forever.

(Moves to her swiftly. But stops.)

No, I can't. My love has stitched up my lips. Pulled out my

fangs. Torn out my sac of poison. Withdraw your veils of

light, Flames. Let my shame float away in the darkness. Don't

mock, gecko. Yes, this King Cobra is now no better than a

grass snake. Yes, that is it. A grass snake. A common reptile.

That's what I am, ant I had forgotten that. I thought I could

become human. Turn into my own creation. No! Her thighs,

her bosom, her lips are for one who is forever a man. I shed

my own skin every season. How could I even hope to retain

the human form? For me--yes, only her long locks. Dark,

jet- black snake princesses.

(Smells them.)

They are like me. Reptilian. Cold. Long. They are right for

me. I shall summon my magical powers for the last time--to

become the size of her tresses. To become so thin, so small,

that I can hide in them, play with them, swim away in their

dark flow.

(Presses her hair to his body.)

Become their size now! Enter her tresses! Make love to them.

They have no sensation. They will not disturb her dreams.

But for you, that will suffice.

(A beam of light on him. The rest is plunger into darkness.

Long dark hair appear to descend and cover bim. He covers

himself and dances.

Finally, Naga ties a tress into a noose and places it around

his neck. The stage slowly becomes dark.

Lo,ng silence.

Then Kurudawa's voice is beard in the distance.)

KURUDAWA S VOICE: Son! Where are you?

(Lights come on. Rani, Appanna and child are sleeping.)

KURUDAWA S VOICE: Kappanna--

(Appanna sits up.)

APPANNA: Yes?

RANI: (Waking up) What is it?

APPANNA: I thought I heard someone caging me.

KURUDAWA'S VOICE: Kappanna! Where are you?

RANI: That poor soul: Kurudawa.

APPANNA: In my sleep, it sounded like--my Mother calling me--

RANI: Poor you!

(Tries to sit up. Groans and clutches her bair.)

APPANNA: What is it?

RANI: My head. It feels so heavy. Ahh! Please. Can you gne me

a comb? My head weighs a ton. Let me comb my hair.

(He gives her a comb. She tries to comb her hair, but cannot.

There is something caught up in her tresses.)

(To Appanna.) Could you please?

APPANNA: Certainly.

(He combs her bair. He has to struggle to get the comb

through. A dead cobra falls to the ground.)

A cobra! Stay away!

(They look at it from afar.)

RANI: Oh! Poor thing, it is dead!

APPANNA: (Examining the dead snake.) You know--it seems to

have got caught in your hair and strangled itself. Your long

hair saved us, Rani. The Elders were right. You are no

common person. You are a goddess.

RANI: We are not important. But our son is the blossom of our

family. He has been saved. He has been given the gift of life

by the Cobra, as by a father.

APPANNA: So?

RANI: (Almost to herself.) A cobra. It has to be ritually cremated.

Can you grant me a favour?

APPANNA: Certainly.

RANI: When we cremate this snake, the fire should be lit by our

son.

APPANNA: As you say.

RANI: And every year on this day, our son should perform the

rituals to commemorate its death.

APPANNA: But aren't you going too far ? I mean--that's done

only for one's own father. And I am still alive.

RANI: Please don't say no.

APPANNA: Of course, there is no question of saying no. You are

the goddess herself incarnate. Any wish of yours will be

carried out.

(He exits. She sits staring at the snake. Her eyes fill with

tears. Music. She bows down to the dead snake, then picks it

up and presses it to her cheeks. Freezes. It gets brighter, the

Flames disappear, one by one. Story of course is gone.

FLAMES: Is it really over? . . . Oh! What a lovely tale! etc.

MAN: (Looks out.) No sign of any light yet!

FLAME 3: Pity it has to end like that.

Fl AME 2: These unhappy endings . . .

FLAME 4: Why can't things end happily for a change?

MAN: But death! It's the only inescapable truth, you know.

FLAME 5: Don't be so pompous!

FLAME1: (Sharply.) Then why are you running away from it?

FLAME 2: If darkness were the only option, we might as wed have

embraced it at home!

MAN: Bue--ehae's how the story is. Thae's how it ends. I'm not to

blame.

FLAMES: Stop making excuses! . . . The story may be over. Bue

you are still here and still alive! . . . Listen, we don'T have much

time left.... Gee on with it, for goodness' sake, etc.

MAN: All right! All right! Lee me try.

(The Flames rush back to their corners and wait expectantly.

Raniand Appanna are sleeping, with the child next to them.

Rani suddenly moans and sits up, holding her hair. Appanna

wakes up.)

APPANNA: What is it?

RANI: My head! It hurts--as though someone were pulling out

my hair! Ahh! Please. Can you give me a comb? I can't bear the

pain . . .

(He gives her a comb. She tries to comb her hair, but cannot.

She gives the comb to Appanna.)

Would you, please?

(He takes the comb. Gombs her hair. A live snake falls out of

her hair and lies writhing on the floor.)

APPANNA: A snake! Stay away! It's tiny, but it's a cobra, all right.

And alive. How did it gee into your hair? Thank god for your

chick cresses. They saved you. Waie. We must kill it--

(Backs away from the snake, then runs out shutting the

bedroom door behind him. Searchesforastickin the kitchen.

Rani watches the snake transfixed.)

APPANNA: Isn't there a stick anywhere here?

RANI: (Softly, to the Cobra.) You? What are you doing here? He'll

kill you. Go. Go away. No! Not that way. He's there. What

shall we do? Whae shall we do? Why did you ever come in here,

stupid? (Suddenly.) My hair! Of course. Come, quick. Climb

into it.

(She lets her hair down to the floor.)

Quick now. Gee it. Are you safely in there? Good. Now stay

there. And lie still. You don't know how heavy you are. Let me

get used to you, will you?

you, will you?

(Appanna comes in with a stick.)

It went that way--toward the bathroom.

(Appanna rushes out of the bedroom, toward the bathroom,

looking for the snake. Rani pats her hair.)

This hair is the symbol of my wedded bliss. Live in there

happily, for ever.

(Lifts the baby up. Starts feeding it. She and Appanna freeze.

It gets brighter. The flames disappear, one by one.

We are back in the innersanctum of the temple. The Man is

sitting alone. He looks up. Sunlight pours in through the

cracks in the temple roof. It is morning. The man vigorously

stretches himself, bows to the audience and goes out.)

)