Elippathayam Page #2

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I would be grateful

if you could spare some oil for me.

Don't feed stray dogs,

for heaven's sake.

Most of them are mad.

Can I wash in your pond?

You people wash in the temple pond,

don't you?

I asked for your permission.

It doesn't matter.

Tonic for rejuvenation!

Rajamma, get my pen and paper.

Sridevi...

- What is it?

- Quiet.

Thieves are stealing our coconuts.

- Shall we wake him up?

- Yes.

- Brother, wake up!

- What is it?

Not so loud. Thieves!

Thieves?

Not here. They are cutting

the coconuts. Get out of bed.

What, go outside? Now?

Let the thieves be.

You are imagining things.

Can't you hear?

There could be rats in the tree.

Better go to sleep.

Goodness me! Look at this!

Sridevi, see that?

The thieves have been considerate.

They've left the husks for us.

Call Brother. Let him see.

What's the use of that?

God, I seek your blessing.

Sis, our big sister is here.

Gone are the days of prosperity.

Isn't Brother home?

He's gone out,

maybe to the temple.

It is late evening...

How does it matter

when necessity makes you do things?

Why stay out there?

Take the trunk in.

My limbs are aching...

Please massage me, Sridevi.

Sorry, I have lots of homework.

You never pass your exams anyway.

I'm lucky

you are not my examiner in school.

It's aching right through to the bone.

Even my own son won't worry.

All birds of the same feather.

You shouldn't have bothered.

Do you hear from your daughters?

I receive letters from them.

The younger one

is six months pregnant.

I'm afraid she's coming home

for her delivery.

It's going to be difficult.

How will I feed them all?

Enough.

Serve the boy some rice.

He must be hungry.

He is not the same any more.

He treats us like enemies.

That's his manner.

He's short-tempered.

Big Sister! Take him away!

He won't let me study.

Son... My dear son...

Switch it off. It's blinding me.

Please, a bit more slowly.

What are you afraid of?

I am only a woman, after all.

Won't you visit us?

Mummy, where have you been?

I've been waiting for you for ages.

It's you, young master!

How come you are here?

I've been up to the temple...

- What was the search for?

- Nothing.

I heard a noise.

I didn't hear anything.

Rajamma! Who broke the torch?

Won't you tell me?

I heard a noise a while ago.

I thought it might be a rat.

It's not a rat. I know who it is.

How come

there's no morning coffee today?

Why don't you go to the kitchen

and have it?

Nevermind the coffee.

The stove isn't even lit.

Isn't Rajamma up yet?

What's the matter, Sis?

No temperature.

Have you got stomach ache?

Sridevi...

Son, call Sridevi.

Aunt, Mother wants you.

Did you call me?

Yes, make some coffee.

I don't have time.

I'm already late for school.

Rajamma is sick.

I still have to wash and dress.

Make today's coffee yourself.

Milk.

Rajamma...

He wants his coffee.

He will have to wait today.

Hail, God Almighty.

Have you finished the harvesting?

This is all the crop we have.

The tree yields

only when it is manured.

Thieves take a share

of what little there is.

My brother is not bothered about that.

He denies the share

only to its legitimate heirs.

Is he still asleep?

Why get up early?

What work is there for him?

This is for you.

That will do.

Could you keep

my share separate?

I'm sorry, but I'm not going

to interfere in these matters.

Coffee.

You are growing paler and paler

by the day.

Aren't you eating well?

You all neglect her.

I have too much to do...

On one hand,

constructing a house for my son.

On the other,

cultivating the land he has bought.

Above all, managing all your property.

It's too difficult for me to handle.

It's time you retired

and took some rest.

Your children are well off.

May I take your leave now?

- Aren't you taking your share?

- I don't work for wages here.

For generations

we have depended on this family.

Let it die with me.

Rajamma...

Where are you?

Did you take the money

I had under my pillow?

- No.

- How come it's missing?

Rajamma.

Isn't Rajamma in?

- Where is she?

- She's in bed with stomach ache.

- Is the water boiled?

- How can she when she's in bed sick?

Isn't there anyone else

to boil some water?

Who do you mean?

Sridevi is already asleep.

How about the boy?

You mean my son?

He has gone to see a movie.

I don't think he would,

even if he were here.

You don't know these youngsters.

Why can't you wash in our pond?

And catch cold?

Why should that worry you?

Want me to boil the water?

Then I'm afraid you won't wash.

Sridevi.

Why are you disturbing my sleep?

Can't you hear him calling?

Get up.

Go, boil some water for him.

Don't let him catch cold.

No cumin seed water?

Sorry, I forgot.

Will rice water do?

Or shall I serve you plain water?

What would you like?

Nothing.

Are there stones in the rice?

Who cooked this?

You don't like it?

Will you have milk or will you refuse

that too since I boiled it?

The elder madam's son?

It's too high up there.

If you slip, you might break your leg.

So far you haven't bothered

to ask why I came.

What is there to ask?

How long will you play hide and seek?

Avoiding issues doesn't solve them.

Wait.

I must have an answer today.

I have come

for my share of our property.

You can't keep it to yourself any longer.

Where are you going?

Yes or no.

Don't take it for granted

that no one will question you.

You know my husband well.

I thought it could be settled amicably.

But you won't allow that.

Son, let's leave now.

Now, it's up to him

to face the consequences.

Put it off, you son of a b*tch.

It's you!

Lucky I didn't beat you.

What's the matter?

- What is it?

- Sridevi is missing.

Are you sure?

I have looked everywhere.

Oh, God!

Where could she have gone?

Sridevi.

Anyone in?

Isn't he in?

He's in bed.

We will return later.

Don't just sit there.

You're making no effort

to look for her.

Are you relieved that she's gone?

Rajamma!

God, have mercy on me.

Take me out of this hell hole.

Rajamma.

Auntie...

Auntie, milk.

- Why are you taking it back?

- No one's there.

How can that be?

Madam is surely there.

Madam, what's wrong?

Are you not well?

Please get up and open the door.

I see. It was not bolted.

You are ill

and there's no one to care for you?

You stay here.

I'll be back.

Anyone in?

Is anyone in?

Who is inside?

Please open the door.

Who are you?

What brings you here?

A court summons.

All the court notices

have been returned undelivered.

You're new here?

There is someone inside.

I'll tell you all about that.

Come along.

Master.

Open the door.

Please open the door.

Don't be scared. Open the door.

- Listen, he won't harm you.

- You had better open the door.

- If not, we'll break it down.

- We'll have to axe it down.

I'm afraid something's wrong.

Open the door!

There is no response. Let's go.

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