In Visahapatnam city not far away from the rest place church, in the east point colony, down the beach road proudly shines a white villa like a pearl on the beach. It is named Nandini Nilayam or Fleur de lis. The manor house that has the decent attractions of a royal Haveli is also called Fleur de lis because it has a four feet high compound wall with black iron bars on top of which French Royal symbol fleur -de-lis shines resplendent in the sunlight.
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| fleur de lis |
In the well maintained green lawn of the manor beautiful white lawn furniture is shining in the eyes of the beholders. In the man-made world yellow Chrysanthemum flowers, pink aster flowers, violet daisies and marigold are swaying their heads looking at the Terracotta army - the 1000 year old art imported from Bishnupur West Bengal. The twenty terrific red soldiers, with steel swords in their hands and black horses bring to the mind the exquisite craftsmanship of the terracotta artisans in the Madanmohana Temple.
Penchalayya and his consort Paidamma , her two brothers Adinarayana and Krishna dasa sat around the white table in the lawn. The maid has set the coffee set on the table with four coffee cups.
"Simchalam has gone to grave. Bairreddy was in jail. Nagireddy has been weakened. This is the time for me to enter politics. "You are absolutely right!" Said Krishna dasa.
Have they declared the elections? Do you have elections near future? why do you talk about the politics? Any way Simhachalam widow is going to contest in the coming elections. The CM who participated in the funerals has so much sympathy for his widow. said Adi.
Shut up Adi! CM sympathy alone is not enough. The people have no sympathy for her. She has not done anything for the people. Don't you know how much she has done?"
I don't know how much she has done but I know how much we have done. We have done nothing. Penchalayya is converting people, what sympathy people have for us? said Dasu.
Simhachalam's father and fore fathers were in politics. His father was MLA. His grand father was Panchayathi president. There was none in politics from our family. More over you are a fowl seller. We don't need politics. said Paidamma. Penchalayya's consort.
"You still think that I am the fowl poacher. Those days are gone. Now I am the richest man in the city." said penchalayya and started telling a historical tale "Ranjit Singh the king who ruled Punjab in 1830s fell in love with a Muslim dancer. Ranjith sing married her. As part of the wedding celebrations he granted her brothers jagirs. After their wedding, Ranjit Singh renamed her Maharani Gulbahar Begum. She was given a haveli. I have treated you much the same way. I gave your brothers lands and I gave you Haveli." finished Penchalayya.
Adi: So finally you want to say that you are the Maharaja?!
Dasu: No doubt! you are the Maharaja without crown.
Penchalayya: Yes, that is why I am thinking of crown.
Paidamma : Think of your daughter not of the crown. You have given my two brothers lands. I have given you two diamonds. (diamond like children). Don't trouble them with your crooked plans. She left home because of you. She wrote in her letter before she left home that is impossible to find her. Have you found out where she has gone?
Penchalayya : Nothing is impossible to Penchalayya. I have traced out that she is in Hyderabad. Paidamma was surprised while Dasu and Adi laughed. Paidi looked dazed.
Adi : Sister, Your husband is not sherlock Holmes to trace out anything. Just now two girls called up our to our home phone. You were in the Pooja mandir. They are her roommates Lakuma and Sundari. They are in Hyderabad. They talked to Penchalayya about Nandini.
Paidi: May Govinda bless the young girls with good husbands. They have a mother's heart . They have understood a mother's pain but how did they know our number.
Dasu : Nandini must have given.
Adi : That means her anger is negotiable. If you agree to her terms she will be back. Neither You nor your husband should bother her.
Paidi : What a good news. Govinda how kind you are! He ( Penchalayya) will agree to all terms. I will see that she is not bothered. I am giving you a word.
Adi: Not you. If your husband gives that word I will go to Hyderabad.
Penchalayya : Did I ever refuse you paidi. Your promise is my promise.
***
FRIENDS Microbrewery Visakhapatnam, well known for signature brews and cocktails, has made a niche in the city beer business. The interior décor with paintings of musical instruments, the advanced lighting called mood lighting that creates a desired atmosphere in any room, layering the lighting with multiple sources of light changing the light levels easily as programmed, thrill of a different world and the splendid walnut furniture produce exotic island experience.
Grace and Timpani entered the exotic ambience. Timpani saw the hanging antique bicycles. Grace saw jazz drums on the dais. A big poster with "Brew La La" appeared in the background of the stage. "Today there is an event here madam" said the waiter. She sat at a table and ordered two signature brews.
Timpani sat opposite to her. They were sipping the beer looking at the hanging antique bicycles. The pub was cool and silent. The lighting was changing. The tables were full. Nobody is bothered about others.
Grace: How fragile are the relations! How soon they come to an end.
Timpani: I never considered Margo and Sheetal Alekhya, Adya good friends. The rich people make friends with status and money not people.
Grace: Forget about them. I am talking about Savitri.
Timpani: She is our mother, you are calling her by name?!
Grace: She is not in our world. She doesn't need daughters anymore.
Timpani: She is not in the material world. She is in the spiritual world. We could not give her grandchildren. Her dream ruined. Her daughters families also ruined. Nothing went right in her life nor in her daughters' lives. She feels that her life is wasted.
Grace : But we can't do anything about our past decision. When we were poor money looked great. I saw only richness in Dakshina murthy. Though he is nearly three times older I married him.
Timpani : I married a young man but what happened to me? It is fate. Now there is no hope of children no hope of family bonds. Think of securing a position in the company. If you keep thinking of family bonds you will be like Savitri.
Grace: What do you mean?
Timpani: Can not you think? You will die in an old age home.
Timpani ended her beer glass and put it on the table.
The drums began to play. Grace felt that the jazz drums are playing in her head.
***
Navya Art Productions - Jubilee Hills. It is eight in the evening. Naidu looked at the road through the glass window of this office. The multi colour lights were shining bright. His close friend and director Kashyap sat in front of him. "This is the city of alluring night life and hookah parlours, spas discotheques and pubs." said Kashyap. The production manager felt that he was extra artist between them.
They are the assistant director coming with his journalist friend. They come only to eat and drink. Only then they will write about our projects. "I think you are coming from spa? said Kashyap to the assistant director.
Naidu: Now they are called Cultural centres or Health counselling Centres.
Mr. Kashyap what happened to your nonbailable warrant ? asked the journalist.
A Nampally court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Jeevitha and her actor husband Rajasekhar when the financier Paranadhama Reddy filed a case what happened? replied Kashyap. All of them laughed.
Kashyap: Why talk about old cases, we always have new cases?
Journalist: New case? Any cheque bounce case?
You have nothing else in your mind except finance?
The production manager ordered drinks. Soon the office assistant brought Aristocrat whisky and sodas and placed them on the table. The Production manager poured into glasses and served to all. After the first round Naidu talked about the shooting of the group songs and the expensive sets, India's dancing talent Sundari is dancing in classical songs.
"She is going to do western dance in mini." Said Kashyap.
Is it true she has not participated in any western dance although some channels offered her. Do you think that she is going to dance in mini? asked the joiurnalist.
Why only Mini she will wear Micro mini and wear Bikini. Said Kashyap.
Then It will certainly be a case. I think you ae talking about it. said the journalist.
They all laughed. Two rounds continued without words. In the fourth round
Kashyap : Naidu lost his heart for an artist. I too lost my heart.
Naidu : It is not about cheque bounce. Cinema is not finance it is about beauty and art.
The assistant director said " Well said sir, You came here from Visakha to serve Telugu Kalamathalli. Your devotion to art is unparalleled. We are proud of you.
All laughed at his typical Telugu sly speech.
Don’t speak like a typical Telugu man. I came into this film industry to quench my sensual desires. Money lure and my sensual urges are two legs on which the industry walks. If I want only money there are many safer businesses. Movie production is more dangerous than stock market business. In fact, I have lost more money than I earned. I came early after Ramanaidu came into industry. He too sold lands and invested in films. All my assets are melting down.
Don’t worry .Your latest cinema has given you at least 10 crores profit.
That is not my worry. Sometimes I make profit sometimes I get loss, that can change but borrowing never changes as making new films is on going process.
Recently you started selling assets. It is your concern?
Recently I gave my son Raghava a check. But the cheque bounced.
But he has sent it back to me. I have lost trust.
But you trusted lust …remember Keerthi , Chitra, Kalpana and Jaya
Remember how much we both enjoyed.
I got a like-minded director. We both enjoyed many girls.
Whatever you do you have given life to artist and art. No doubt you are the pillar of the cinema industry. Said the young director.
The industry is often referred to as ' Telugu kalama thalli' by some quasi-loyalists but the fact is that no one is bothered about this kalama thalli. People come here to quench their passion, make money, earn fame and not to serve Kalama thalli. Assistants are treated like slaves. They are abused and manhandled. Shootings do not happen like outings and picnics, the way they are portrayed in media. They don't have time for fun and frolic in shootings. They run after time to make a movie within the budget and time.
No one is loyal to the movie industry. In fact, there is nothing called a movie industry. Different people have different aspirations and make movies but all are here to quench the thirst. Kashyap looked at Naidu and laughed.
The production manager left when he has a call. The others too left.
Naidu and Kashyap are in the office.
I want the big thunder thighs girl Lakuma. I offered her roles. She is not committing.
You offered both role and remuneration to the other girl but …
Who are you talking about?
slender waist shapely girl with attractive breast Sundari.
Oh Sundari , the village beauty, What happened?
She has not agreed. But after paying her 6 lakhs …
Good , has she agreed?
Not yielded to do western dance with the group.
She is too stubborn. The village girls are always tough.
Naidu showed despair in his eyes and disappointment in his voice.
But I did not leave. I made her wear mini and dance. Said Kashyap.
Naidu took out Royal stag from his desk, within no time two glasses appeared on the desk. Kashyap served the whisky. Naidu took soda bottle and mixed in the whisky.
Three cheers!!! Kashyap said.
There are just two girls, why three cheers?
There is another sweet girl Nandini.
***
Seshachalam was sitting in the burnt cowshed in the evening looking at the spot where his wife's mortal body lay. His face was miserable. His eyes were shedding tears. His tearful eyes were questioning her weird actions helplessly. "Why should you appear to Vidisha? What are you going to do to her life? " He uttered those words with a low whimpering voice. He felt pain in the chest. He went to the well to drink some water. He took the bucket tied to the rope. One end is tied to the rope and the other end is free. He got the free end of the rope in his hand and was about to drop the bucket into the well. He looked into the well. On the limped water surface he saw his face and just beside face appeared Ahalya's face. Her face appeared for two seconds and vanished. Seshachalam left the bucket into the well and collapsed on the round platform around the well. He did not know how long he lay unconscious but opened his eyes when water was sprinkled on his face.
Seshachalam opened his eyes and saw Bharatavarsha's smiling face. He felt he was animated. He noticed that his head was in Varsha's lap. He felt the water glass at his lips. He sipped water. Varsha tilted the glass and helped him drink water. Seshachalam felt relieved from pain. Later they moved into the house. He explained Varsha with quivering voice " Vidisha went into fields. I saw her mother's face in the well water. I dropped the bucket . she did not let me drink water. She is not going to leave her daughter. She is going to kill us." He cried.
Varsha smiled and said, have you noticed the bucket on the well platform. Varsha brought him out. They both saw the bucket on the well platform. Seshachalam was shocked. Varsha said " If she wants to kill you she would have pulled you into the well. or must have done something else. She put the water with the bucket. I washed the glass lying there and gave you water from that bucket.
From the well they both saw Vidisha hurrying into the house. She came hurriedly and saw his father. Are you alright Nanna? Varsha when did you come? She asked. Varsha did not speak. Where did you go? asked Seshachalam. I want to swing .... she uttered the word and stopped suddenly. Varsha went out and brought a rocking chair which he kept outside the house. Vidisha saw the rocking chair and jumped with joy. Varsha put the chair in the hall and Vidisha sat in the chair and was rocking. Her face was blissful. Seshachalam looked at her with disbelief. "She will not go into fields from today because SHE likes swinging" Her bedroom door was opened for the wind. Varsha saw a strange picture on the canvass. we went close. It was the picture of the Mahisaruramardhini, The face was Michelle's. His was stunned. He went near and touched the picture.
****
The sky was dark when varsha was leaving. Seshachalam walked him up to the gate. Varsha went out of the gate. Seshachalam was about to close the gate when they heard Vidisha's voice both ran in Vidisha was not in the hall. She was in rocking chair in her room gazing at the portrait of Michelle. Bharatavarsha and Seshachalam stopped in the hall. They were listening to her voice. She was singing while rocking
Life is not a Big deal
Worry not! Life is not a big deal
It is a matter of turning wheel
between two strings it's God's spiel
a string to body and a string to soul
no one knows what is maker's goal
mortal man's part is to play his role
Life may not everyday glow
but receives blow after blow
happiness is just a moment's show
trouble and grief have their own row
Worry not! Life is not a big deal
It is a matter of turning wheel
worry not if you cease to be
Death is certainly rebirth's key
Emptiness
Remember not those beautiful moments
which reflect life's lavish endowments
When the golden glory goes to rodents
Remember not all the antecedents
forget not that each beautiful moment
is followed by its deadly opponent
pleasure with pain, sun with rain
but everything is different on death plain
complete joy and unlimited rest
in silence under the earth's crust
no worldly attractions to lure
no fear of rejection or failure
Seshachalam remembered the memories of his wife Ahalya. He said " You have suffered all my pain. I feel like you are singing my heart's song. His eyes were filled with tears.
Cicada, owl, and wild wind.
Since long I am here in this house
The roof is so low and apt for a mouse
It is always dark here but I have no fear
but how long I live here is not clear
Oh where is the sun is this my quarter?
Oh my weeping man and only daughter
She sits so close and keeps a red rose
on the roof and sings a song then goes
The song that I sang on her birthday
my man wasn't gay cuz house began to decay
what happened to me? Am I so ill
I don't know how long should I chill
Vidisha stopped singing. "Now your heart sings the hear of dear Ahalya , How much you suffered for us. Can I thank you enough in this life? How can I ever repay your debt? Your human heart and your noble feet I salute." saying so Seshachalam hugged Varsha tight and slowly released the embrace and slid towards his feet. Varsha's heart became heavy. He could not bear to hear the words he left the hall. He wen to the gate .. He heard Vidisha's voice.
Fate's Puppet
Ah I burned all my youthful time at home
churning my mind and building my own tomb
I had the dream with my fiancée to roam
But alas crooked time has build my love's doom
where ever I went I had flowers and garlands
people in distant lands to my work folded hands
My name crossed frame and passed like a popular song
My fame burned like a torch and went with a bang
My middle age witnessed little bit of tension
To my health I started paying attention
to dim a eye love seems like a perversion
I dared not decide and kept it in suspension
I now go to grave with drums and trumpets
Men at fate's disposal are always puppets
Vidisha is singing Varsha's heart. Varsha could not stand longer at the gate. He got into the taxi and the taxi moved. The three hearts swam like fish, sang like birds with same emotions.
***
Jagadamba Junction: Timpani and Grace were in Jagadamba jewellers. Grace accidentally touched the woman standing next to her at the counter. She was Alekhya. Adya and another lady were just beside her. "Hello Grace!" Said Alekhya. "Hello, how are you both? Who is she?" Said Grace looking at the other lady.
Alekhya said" Meet Sudha Ramachandran, director of the MEGA Engineering company". Grace " Hello Mrs.Sudha" "I am Grace. We have Seafood export company- Meeenakshi exports, nice to meet you." Said Grace. Oh! Meenakshi exports! It is a big company. Our company is small with a turn over of 50 crores." She said. Its alright, size of the company doesn't matter between friends." Said Grace by the by what your company do? It is a service company or production company?" asked Grace. "We manufacture road construction equipment like asphalt hot mixer, bitumen sprayer, concrete road builder, road vacuum cleaner. what about you? You are the director of the company? " asked Sudha. "No , the company belongs to my husband, I am only a house wife. " said Grace. Grace observed that Sudha Ramachandran was not altogether pleased with the answer or perhaps she was disappointed as her guess was incorrect. They came out of the showroom and started walking to the parking.
"What is your today's program?" asked Adya. "Nothing I just bought a necklace for my birthday. We are going home." Said Grace. " It is nice to hear! When is your birth day?" Said Alekhya. "Next week." Said Grace. "We are going to play billiards. Why don't you join us?" Alekhya proposed to all. Sudha agreed cheerfully and said " But I must leave by 12.00 PM. I must take lunch with my husband and children"
Timpani pulled Grace towards her "Tell them that we are going on some important work." She whispered in Grace's ear. Adya saw she was prompting something. "We have some important work." said Grace. Today is Sunday. What is that important work? asked Adya. Grace has no answer. Alekhya laughed and said to Adya" She doesn't know what billiards is leave her." remarked Adya. Alekhya "Billiards needs Grace in the person, not in the name."
Timpani said " I have to go to church." and was moving away." I have not played Billiards but it is after all a game. I can learn." said Grace with aplomb. They reached the parking place. Sudha's Toyota Fortuner has a problem. Grace said " Let's go by my car." Grace showed her new Mahindra Bolero. I think it is your company jeep. said Sudha and smiled. Mean time Alekhya brought her car. Adya sat in the front, Sudha sat in the back. She asked Grace to come in. Grace asked her driver to take the jeep home and got into Toyota.
While the car was going " Alekhya said "We need some fun on Sunday because we work all the week. I work for Alekhya homes." Sure, Sure we must have some fun on Sunday. Said Sudha. " I look after micro breweries with my husband Syam. We have Night parties on Saturday. Sports and outings can be un Sunday morning." Said Adya. Grace remained silent. The car reached the Dwarakanagar Top Billiard parlour.
Alekhya stood at the billiards table with cue stick. Grace stood on the opposite side of the table with short cue stick. Alekhya " Take the longer stick Grace. players with longer arms select longer cue sticks." Grace picked up the longer cue stick.
"Check the tip Grace" said Adya who was standing away from the table. Grace did not know what to do. Adya took the billiards stick from her hand and applied cue chalk. A set of pool balls a white cue ball and 15 colour-coded and numbered balls are on the pool table.
Alekhya said " All balls are numbered 1 to 8 have solid colours and the balls numbered 9 to 15 are white with a centre band of colour. This white ball is called cue ball. You have to hit the cue ball at the set of balls"
Grace hit the cue ball that unintentionally touched ball 8 which sank in the hole. Alekhya and Grace laughed. Grace if your the 8 ball accidentally sinks ( falls in the hole) you have lost the game. Grace was puzzled. She looked confused. Her confusion amused Alekhya and Adya.
"You have to break the rack or set of balls by hitting them with cue ball. Said Adya. Alekhya demonstrated it. If the ball goes in the player takes another shot. The player can continue shooting until he misses a shot. Grace could not play the game. Alekhya and Adya played. Alekhya potted all of the designated balls and then pocketed the 8 ball. She won the game.
When the game ended Adhya asked Sudha and Alekhya to play a new game. But Sudha suggested that Grace and Adya too should join them. " We four can play this game. " She was explaining the rules of the game. Grace said " I must go." and without waiting for a second she walked out. When she went out Grace remembered that she had forgotten her hand bag. When she went back. Alekhya " She can not learn the simple billboard game , She wants to be director of the company. To be director is not simply sitting in the chair. That stupid head wanted to buy Yakshini project!" When Adya saw Grace, she signalled Alekhya. Alekhya stopped speaking. Grace took the bag and left.
***
When grace came out of the Top Billiard a Toyota car came and stopped before her. Timpani opened the back door and asked Grace to get in. Grace got in and the car moved. "Probably now you understand why I asked you not to go with them." Grace was silent. She did not understand how Timpani could get a Toyota car in just an hour. "This is Taxi" Said Timpani. "But it doesn't look like taxi." said Grace. It is not registered as Taxi , A personal car is used as a taxi. " I can not believe that you hired it" said Grace. "Where there is a will there is a way. Use this car until your husband buys you a car, but remember, it should be a suitable car.
The car crossed Waltair uplands and was going towards Siripuram. "Where are we going? said Grace. We are going to the Park Hotel for Lunch. said Timpani. "I must go home." Said Grace. You husband went on business trip two days ago. He is not at home. What will you do at home?" Said Timpani. The car stopped in front of the Park Hotel. They saw a BMW parked outside the hotel. "Look your BMW is here, Agastya is using your car." said Timpani. " When I ask him to buy a car he says I have a BMW. I must use small cars or office vehicles." Said Grace. He will never buy you a prestigious car." said Timpani. "I will buy an ultimate car for me." said Grace. "How?" asked Timpani. " Where there is a will there is a way." replied Grace.
They entered the hotel, sat in the restaurant, ordered lunch. When the lunch was served Grace said " I am going to show Alekhya her position and on or before my birthday. They started eating the lunch. The server came with more dishes and started placing them on the table. Do you want Ice cream after the lunch? asked the waiter. Yes, get two Veniala said Grace. The waiter has gone. Grace felt a soft touch on her hand. Timpani touched her hand. Grace looked into her sister's eyes. Timpani tuned her face and guided Grace to look at the table at the other corner of the restaurant.
Grace looked at the table and saw Dakshina Murty eating at the table. There is an other woman with him. Grace rose from the chair. Timpani caught her hand and pulled her down. "Eat " She commanded. Grace started eating. They both finished lunch. The waiter came with Ice cream. Timpani asked the waiter " Have you seen that couple earlier? Sir is very big Businessman. Meenakshi exports Chairman. He is such a largehearted man who gives us tips in thousands." Only large hearted or romantic too? asked Grace giving him two five hundred notes. "He is very romantic, since two days he stays in our hotel with that lady." Said the waiter. Timpani and Grace walked to the car.
***
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