Chinmoy:- ‘Bharat amar Bharatbarsa…swadesh amar swapno goh…tomatey amra lobhiya janmo dhanyo hoyechi dhanyo goh’ (India, o our India, swadesh is our dream, we are proud to take birth as children of Mother India).
Fatima:- Hey Chinmoy, what’s the matter! Suddenly, you are singing a patriotic song.
Chinmoy:- Yesterday, I watched the Bengali film, ‘Char Murti’ in television. In that film, the comedy hero, ‘Tenida’ was singing this song. Oh! What a comedy film it is! Everyone talks about the Bengali comedy films like ‘Basanto Bilap’, ‘Saarey Chuattar’, Chadmabeshi’, ‘Jamalaye Jibanto Manush’, ‘Subarno Golak’, ‘Mouchak’, ‘Dhanyi Meye’, ‘Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne’, ‘Sriman Prithiraj’, ‘Hirok Rajar Deshe’, ‘Aashitey Asiyo na’, etc. But, this film, ‘Char Murti’ is a special one. The character of ‘Swami Ghutghutananda’ is too good. Even there is a villain in this film who looks like our Subir Sir.
Raqeeb:- Kya yaar tum log bangla film le ke discuss karte ho…Nowadays, I can see the ‘Bou’ series of Anjan Mitra. The name of the films are like ‘Baro Bou’, ‘Mejo Bou’, ‘Choto Bou’…ha ha ha…and in every film, Ranjit Mallik is there as a main lead actor.
Revathi:- Hey, have anyone of you watched the latest movie ‘Roja’? It is a fantastic movie. ‘Dil hai chota sa…choti si asha.’
Chinmoy:- Yeah, I have watched it with my parents last week. It is a good movie. I liked that heroine of ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ in a new look.
Nonigopal:- Yeah, Madhu was good; so was Arvind Swamy. But, Pankaj Kapoor rocked the show. The ‘Mr.Karamchand’ of small screen proved that he is also a class actor.
Jahar:- Guys! Please be quiet! Roland Sir is coming towards our class.
Mr.Roland:- Good afternoon everyone! All of you; please sit down. I have an announcement to make. From this year onwards, we will have Inter-Branch Drama competition. Earlier, the drama competition used to take place during Independence Day celebrations or other celebrations. But, from now on, we will have an official competition on drama. The dramas will be in three language categories: - English, Bengali & Hindi. So, I request all the talented actors/actresses of this class VI A to participate in it.
Satya:- But, sir, will we get chance to participate in a drama because our seniors are also there.
Mr.Roland:- Oho! Sorry! I missed out one point. The drama competition will be for each class also. For example, the drama played by the Class VI students of our Kolkata branch will compete with the dramas which are played by Class VI students only of Kalyani, Ganganagar & Rishra branches. So, best of luck!
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Mrs. Kundu:- Have you all brought the book, ‘Shakespeare’s Stories’.
Students of Class VI A:- Yes, madam.
Mrs. Kundu:- Very good! Now all of you take out that book from your bag. Actually, this book was given to you only as a supplementary story book. Generally, we don’t include any of the chapter from this book in our syllabus, but this year, Mr. Roland has told us to include at least 2 chapters from ‘Shakespeare’s Stories’ book. So, in your Annual Exam, you will get questions from two chapters: - ‘Merchant of Venice’ & ‘Macbeth’. Accha, there will be an Inter-Branch Drama competition, right? Why don’t you people try to stage the drama of ‘Merchant of Venice’? Joseph will play the role of ‘Shylock’.
Joseph:- Oh! No, madam! Why me for this particular role? Anyway; I don’t have any objection to it. I will surely play the role of ‘Shylock’.
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Raghav:- Ha ha ha…hurrah! Our Class VI A has won the 1st prize for class VI-category Bengali drama. Santu’s expression and timing was too good. What a style to utter that dialogue, ‘Ektu jalpai kothay boltey paaren?’
Tamang:- Then, our Ganga daa who played the role of ‘Jhuriwala’ said,’Jalpai…kintu eta toh jalpai er season noy…’ ha ha ha….
Ganga:- Aah! Bhai, I liked the role of ‘Mama’ played by Arindam. Arindam, who made your make-up?
Arindam:- Mrs. Samaddar did all the make-up at the backstage. I was really looking like an old man of 50 or 55 years.
Raghav:- But, you did the voice change very well according to the dialogue and Santu…uff…ha ha ha…the way he drank that glass of water…he he he…we felt as if he was really thirsty. The acting was so natural.
Arindam:- Santu is a natural actor. There is no doubt about that. That’s why; the 2nd prize for best acting (male) was given to Santu after Samiran Sadukhan of Rishra branch.
Revathi:- By the way, where from you people got this drama, ‘Abak Jalpan’.
Bidisha:- Oho! You are a south Indian girl, naah! That’s why; perhaps you have not read the writings of Sukumar Roy. Sukumar Roy is the author of this drama. He has written many short comedy poems for children like ‘Abol Tabol’, ‘Gnofh Choori’ , ‘Ha Ja Ba Ra La’, ‘Ahladi’, etc.
Ganga:- The famous line of Sukumar Roy is ‘Gappey Goru Gaachey Chorey’. Revathi, do you know, who is this Sukumar Roy. He is the father of the legend, Satyajit Roy. Even the father of Sukumar Roy was also a great writer. He was Upendra Kishore Roy Choudhury. The original story of ‘Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne’ was written by Upendra Kishore Roy Choudhury only.
Arindam:- accha, next year, we can try out to stage the drama of ‘Lakkhaner Shaktisel’.
Ganga:- No, no, no! Our school authority may not allow it to stage, as it is a comedy drama based on a particular incident in Ramayana. But, if they permit it, then I will play the role of Jhambuban to make everyone laugh.
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Kanchan:- 2 days to go for the Kali puja. Kya dadu…aap ne promise kiya tha…ki badiya dhamake wala chocolate bomb layenge…
Sticker Dadu:- Arrey, beta…there are risks also. The policemen are patrolling everywhere. Don’t worry; I have a packet of 12 chocolate bombs. But, be careful. These chocolate bombs will produce sounds above 65 decibels.
Rabi:- Arrey, don’t you worry; dadu, hum log sambhal lenge…what is the price of the packet?
Sticker Dadu:- Just 25 bucks.
Kanchan:- Aur woh ‘Chuncho Baazi’ (Mousey Crackers) bhi dijiye.
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Mr. Richards:- Sir, Mr. Jayram Joardar, the Police Inspector of Bhawanipore Police Station has come to meet you.
Mr. Roland:- What! What for! Anyway, just send him in; Order some snacks and cold drinks for him immediately.
Mr. Joardar:- So, can I come in?
Mr. Roland:- of course, of course, Sir! Please be seated.
Mr. Joardar:- Yeah, thank you.
Mr. Roland:- Now, tell me Sir, how can I help you?
Mr. Joardar:- No, no, nothing like that! Actually, yesterday, 2-3 local small businessmen and some shopkeepers around your school area came to our Police Station to lodge a complaint against your school children. Yesterday, at around 4.35 or 4.40 PM, some of your school children started cracking chocolate bombs and that Chuncho Baazi… even one man complained that the Chuncho Baazi was just about to enter inside his lungi.
Mr. Roland:- Oh! My god! My school students are so naughty! I could have ever imagined of. Don’t worry, Sir. I will take strict action against it. I will give them punishment. They will forget to celebrate in and around the school premises just 2 days before the Kali Puja.
Mr. Joardar:- Aaha! They are just kids. They are always there to do all these naughty things. Actually, those businessmen and local shopkeepers wanted to lodge an FIR, but I rejected their proposal. Had there been an FIR against your school students, then at least there would have been a bail of 1000 bucks.
Mr. Roland:- Yeah, yeah, I understand, Sir. Please have some snacks and cold drinks and also this 500 bucks. After all; you are here. That’s why; my students will be safeguarded from the strict hands of law.
Mr. Joardar:- You are very smart, Mr. Roland.
Mr. Roland:- It is all about experience, Mr. Joardar. After all, we have learned smartness from you people only.
Mr. Joardar:- Oh! Yeah, don’t try to bite on the image of Kolkata Police Department by your sweet & sharp words. Anyway, nice to meet you; have a very happy Kali Puja & Diwali.
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Ganga:- Today is Kali puja and your daughter is not celebrating it. What is her name, aunty?
Rupanjana (Anjana’s mother):- Her name is Anjana. Actually, she is always scared of these crackers. She only plays with Rang Mashal, Dori, Saap Baazi and Taara Baati.
Ganga:- Tell her to come out on the terrace. Nothing will happen. I will guide her how to handle Chorkis, Tubris, & Rockets.
Rupanjana:- Anjana, Anjana….
Anjana:- Ki holo maa…
Rupanjana:- Come out on the terrace and celebrate the Diwali. What are you doing inside the room? This is Ganga, who stays in our neighborhood.
Ganga:- Hi Anjana, I am Ganga. Maybe, you don’t know me.
Anjana:- I know everything about you, but you are such a shy boy…oh! My God! You didn’t even knew my name…it is so painful to have such a neighbor.
Rupanjana:- Ha ha ha…Ok, you people enjoy yourselves. I am going downstairs now. I have to cook luchi and aloor Dum. Ei, Ganga, tonight, you have to eat luchi and aloor Dum at our house.
Ganga:- Yeah, yeah, aunty, we live in the same co-operative society. Ekhon toh majhey majheyi esey apnaar haather ranna kheye jaabo…
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Ganga:- Why are you so scared? Just be cool. Just touch that lighting taara baati at the tip of the Chorki and come back two steps from that position…See it is so easy…now, the Chorki is spinning…
Anjana:- Hee hee hee…I am enjoying it now…achha…Ganga…tui amakey oita…ei sorry, tomakey ami tui boley fellam. (The word ‘Tui’ in Bengali increases more closeness in a love or friendly relationship).
Ganga:- That’s ok! Now, I will teach you how to light a rocket. Basically, the rocket has to be kept inside an empty bottle. Now, you have to just….
Anjana:- I am feeling tensed. You hold my hand…please…
Ganga:- Ok…taara baati taa jwalao…now, just touch the lower tip of the rocket…yeah…husssh….the rocket has gone up in the sky…wow, what a rocket it is indeed! It has formed a red colored garland in the sky and falling down slowly and steadily.
Anjana:- Thanks! Ganga. This is the first Diwali of my life where I am lighting every cracker on my own. Generally, my elder brother, Dibakar, who is 9 years elder than me do all the lightings and cracking. Oh! My elder brother has come. Can you hear that sound of Bajaj scooter? That is my elder brother’s scooter. He loves me so much. He will search for me inside the house and will straight away come running in on the terrace. See, he has come.
Dibakar:- Ei, Anjana, what are you doing in the terrace?
Anjana:- Nothing, dada! Celebrating diwali…jaanish dada…aami ajker chorki ghoralam…ekta rocket fatalam…sab nijer haatey…
Dibakar:- That’s ok! Just go inside now. Mom is calling to have the luchi and aloor dum…
Anjana:- Ok!
Dibakar:- Ei jeh Chokrah! Tor naam ki beh…you stay at our neighboring Block-B4 right?
Ganga:- Yeah, yeah, you are right…my name is Ganga.
Dibakar:- Taah…suddenly, why you came to celebrate diwali with my little sister. Is she your classmate?
Ganga:- No…I mean…she is my neighbor…In our Block –B4, no one is celebrating Diwali. I saw her lighting taara bati and Rang Mashal on the terrace of Block –B3 building from our Block-B4 terrace. So, I thought, maybe, the people living in Block-B3 are celebrating Diwali, let me join them.
Dibakar:- Hmm…don’t try to act smart. Anyway, mom has invited you today for the luchi and aloor dum…Just enjoy the food and get back to our Block-B4, as soon as possible.
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Arindam:- Ha ha ha…your Anjana can become either ‘Nilanjana’ of Nachiketa’s song or ‘Ranjana’ of Anjan Dutta’s song. ‘Paaraye dhukley thyang khoraa korey debey…bolechey paarar dada raa…anyo para diye jacchi taai…parbo naa hotey ami Romeo…taai dupur bela tey tumi ghumiyo…astey hobey naa ar barandaye….Ranjana…ami ar asbo naa…
Ganga:- Ha ha ha…actually, the elder brother of Anjana is very strict. The way he was behaving with me, as if I have done a great sin by making friendship with Anjana. But, at the same time, I am very happy for that special evening. I touched her right hand. It is so soft…uff…and her voice is so sweet…uff…I can’t express, Arindam…
Arindam:- You can’t express about it and I am not able to understand about it because I am yet to fall in true love. But, Ganga daa…are you in true love with Anjana?
Ganga:- Maybe, yes…maybe, that’s why; I am feeling that type of a feeling which I have never felt before in my life. Believe me, Arindam, after that evening; whenever I am watching any actress in a movie, somehow, my brain is triggering me to think about that special evening. When I am reading newspapers or books, somehow, again, my mind is unintentionally thinking about her. Why she is so sweet, Arindam! I am falling in love!
Arindam:- Ha ha ha…If that guy, Dibakar, comes to know about it…then he will really break your legs…he he he…
Ganga:- He can only break my legs…but not my heart, where Anjana is residing right now...
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Bidisha:- Have you guys got the news that this year on 14th November (Children’s Day), we will have a picnic at Palm Village of Joka, Thakurpukur.
Arindam:- O babah…had they not got any other location to have a picnic!
Bidisha:- What! Have you ever gone there?
Arindam:- No, I have seen it from outside for many a times, but never went inside that gate of Palm Village. But, there are so many other good locations for picnic. Dhaath…
Raja:- Actually, Bidisha, Arindam’s house is nearer to that Palm Village. That’s why; he is reacting like that.
Bidisha:- Oho! Indirectly, it is always greener on the other side of the river.
Raja:- Ha ha ha…Bidisha…your dialogue rocks in this regard.
Arindam:- Ok, ok! Better stop this discussion. Actually, picnics in unknown, far-away places from your home are always more exciting, thrilling and fun-loving. Anyway, I will try to enjoy the picnic at the Palm Village.
Bidisha:- Yeah, that should be the spirit. I will bring badminton rackets. You have to play with me.
Arindam:- Chee…chee…I don’t play all those womanish games. I will play cricket with my friends…You play badminton with your girl –friends only.
Bidisha:- ahaa…nachtey naa janley uthon baanka….You are not good at badminton…that’s why; you are saying like that.
Arindam:- Accha..Can you play cricket? Can you bat or bowl or take a simple catch.
Bidisha:- Yes, I can. I will also play cricket with you boys. I will prove that a girl like me can also play cricket.
Arindam:- Urrey babah…ok…we will see…
Raja:- Don’t worry; Bidisha…we will keep you in the opponent team of Arindam’s cricket team. If you can take the wicket of Arindam, then Arindam has to give us a treat.
Arindam:- Ok, done! I accept the challenge and if I take the wicket of Bidisha, then she will give us a treat.
Bidisha:- I am not a miser like you. Whenever, I have lost any challenge, I have always given the treat. But, it is you who don’t give treats on many occasions after losing the challenge. You don’t respect your own promises also…chee…chee…
Arindam:- Aah! Promises are made to be broken. That’s why; a naughty boy like me always makes promises…he he he…Don’t worry; Bidisha…this time, I will not break my promise.