Kothanodi Page #3

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So father promised Champaba

in marriage to him if he showed himself.

And then?

And then, a massive python emerged.

Seeing it, father did not want

to stick to his vow.

But mother saw to it

that father kept his promise.

And so Champaba got

married to the python.

Stepmother wept so much!

She thought that

the python will eat her daughter.

I dont blame her.

But mother knew it was no

ordinary python.

There was such a scene

at the wedding.

As they shut the door to the nuptial room,

stepmother was going crazy.

She cried and screamed that

the python will swallow her daughter.

But do you know what happened?

Next morning, we found

Champaba sleeping soundly.

Her whole body was covered

in the most exquisite jewellery!

I swear to you Tejimola.

I had never seen so much

gold and silver in my life!

And the python?

No one knows.

It had disappeared.

Come on then.

Is this what youre going to

wear on my wedding?

No, of course not! My stepmother

has given me a beautiful dress.

Good! You better get dressed.

Ill be back.

Teji, Im so glad you are here!

Me too, Bon.

Poonai! You never fail me!

Uncle says, its not right to

disappoint customers.

- Lets see what you have.

- Bring it.

Fresh Borali fish. 11 ser in all.

So fresh theyll swim away

if you leave them in the water!

There has never been

a fish trader as good as you!

And, hows the wife?

I heard shes delivered again?

I pray you two have better luck

with the baby this time.

Pay him what he wants.

Oh! Youve come!

Theyve kept everything ready.

Why dont you rest for a while?

Budheshwar, take him inside.

Serve him something.

No need. Im fine.

Have you thought this through?

It will be just like Champawatis

wedding. Wont it?

Dont pretend Jagan.

You well know what I mean.

Honestly, I dont.

What are you trying to say?

Its a pity all your father taught

you was how to make money.

He should have taught you

about sin and its wages too.

You married off Champawati to the python

because you wanted to kill her.

I knew it even when I was chanting

mantras in that poor girls wedding.

You and your other wife hate the girl

and want her dead.

But the moment I saw the python,

I knew that this was no ordinary snake.

I was right.

And here you are again.

Getting hold of a wild python and

marrying Bonlotika to it!

Why?

Because you want to

sate your greed.

You've lost your mind, Jagan.

This will end very badly,

Im telling you.

What will end badly?

Oh good.

Youre here too.

I have said what I had to.

If you two go ahead with

this abomination of a wedding...

...find yourself another priest.

I wont do it.

No!

You cant do this--

Thats really unfortunate.

But its ok.

After all, we cant force you,

can we?

Good that hes gone!

Such a priest will bring

only ill luck to the wedding.

But wholl conduct

the ceremony now?

- Budheshwar?

- Yes?

- Arent you a brahman?

- Yes I am.

Then you will conduct the wedding.

But hes not a priest!

Yes, Im not a priest!

My son-in-law isnt human either.

Are you coming?

Why arent you dressed?

Its time to go.

Im not going, and

neither are you.

Why do you do this every time?

I will not let you to kill any more

of my babies.

You think I like doing it?

But I still do it.

Has uncle ever guided us wrong?

Answer truthfully.

Has he ever caused us misery?

When I was 15, he told me

it was fishing that was my calling.

He always told me

where the best fish would be.

Today I am one of the most

prosperous fish traders.

When I met you, it was uncle

who told me you were meant for me.

Now tell me if

that was wrong advice?

Uncle has made sure

we never lack comfort.

But are we really happy?

How did we get wealthy?

By emptying my lap!

We kill our own babies

for riches!

I dont want such wealth!

Just look at her.

Ive named her Bhagyawati.

Look how calm and

happy she is in my lap?

She wont die.

Uncle cannot do this to us again.

Hell kill her too!

He practises black magic!

He helps us and takes

my babies as his payment!

Please do something this time!

Lets not go to him.

Turn the boat.

Lets go far away from here!

We may not prosper...

...but we will make a safe,

beautiful world for our daughter.

We will be so happy.

I will not desert uncle.

Youre wrong.

Hes not an evil man.

He loves me.

Hell never harm me.

Now go get dressed.

Its time to meet him.

This outenga looks delicious.

Can I take it?

Take it kokai.

Make a good curry for you!

Thank you.

Back so early?

How was the wedding?

What happened?

Why dont you talk?

Mother...

Mother...

I didnt do anything.

The... the mouse did it...

Go home, little one.

Give it.

Give it, I said.

Uncle! Were here.

Poonai and Malati.

Weve had a girl.

Bless her.

This is your firstborn.

Go and raise her well.

She will bring you joy and luck.

Be your strength when you are old.

As for her name...

...Bhagyawati.

Its a beautiful name.

Youve gone through

a lot of pain.

Forgive me.

All your earlier babies had to die.

Do you want to know why?

Go to the place where

you buried them.

Go at night.

Stay there a while.

Youll understand everything.

Now go.

Build a happy world

for Bhagyawati.

Shes gone back.

Gone back? Why?

Give way!

Give way to the groom!

This is why I didnt want to

bring you.

I would have followed you

regardless.

I want to know what uncle meant.

Leaving our newborn baby behind,

trudging in the jungle.

Whats come over you?

Bhagyawati is safe with

Pomila.

Right now,

this is more important.

How can it be more important

than our firstborn?

Firstborn?

Didnt you bury three

in the jungle before?

I have to know,

what was their fault?

What had they done?

Why dont you feel like being

with me?

Its ok.

Only god knows

what kind of a child you are.

You dont feel like being

with your own mother?

Dont you...

...want to give a kiss

to your mother?

Dont you want to listen to

your mother sing lullabies?

Dont you feel like plucking flowers

with your mother?

Fine.

Stay the way you are.

But you never have to scrounge

for food any more.

I will cook you food and

keep it for you, every night.

You can eat it, and

go back into your shell.

As your mother,

this is all I can do for now.

Because...

...I love you a lot.

I know, youll come out of

your shell one day...

...and hug me tight.

Eat.

Have you seen

the bride's mother?

Why will she be here?

Go check inside the house.

Whatre you doing?

Where are you taking her bed?

She has gone mad.

She wants her bed outside

the brides room.

What? Why?

Has she ever needed a reason

to act crazy?

Not there!

Bring it this side.

Hurry up.

What?

Your bed--

Ill sleep here tonight.

Run along and get my bedding.

Hurry up.

Mother, Im feeling scared.

Dont be silly!

Can one be scared

of ones own husband?

Bon...

...this here is an angel.

When the angel offers you gifts,

dont say no.

Dont feel shy.

And Bon, remember to ask

for a kopali.

Champas husband had not

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