Narrator – Gives intro.
Good morning/afternoon, everyone.
I’m (narrator), and joining me today are (names). Together, we are
delighted to present a dramatic enactment of Rabindranath Tagore’s
timeless story — ‘Kabuliwala.’
So without further delay, let’s take you on a journey that speaks of
unexpected friendship, emotions, and the passage of time.
Father (Working & Talking to Himself) – Oh! What else can I write in this
chapter? The 17th chapter of my book will be the best one. Once my
readers learn about Protap Singh carrying Kanchanlata in his arms and
jumping out of the third-story window, my book will be a hit!
(Mini enters running)
Mini (Impatiently) – FATHER FATHER!! Ramdayal, the door-keeper, calls a
crow a ‘krow!’ He doesn’t know anything, does he?
Narrator – This is Mini. A five-year-old girl in Calcutta who cannot live
without chattering. It is believed that throughout her life, she has never
wasted a single minute in silence. Her mother is often vexed, but her
father doesn’t stop her. One morning, while her father is working on his
new novel, she enters the room and starts chattering.
(Father starts to explain, but Mini interrupts)
Mini – What do you think, Father? Bhola says there is an elephant in the
clouds, blowing water out of his trunk, and that is why it rains!
(Once again, Father tries to reply but is stopped)
Mini – Father! What relation is mother to you?
Father – (murmurs) My dear little sister in law! (With a grave face) Go and
play with Bhola, Mini. I am busy!
(Kabuliwallah enters from behind.)
Mini – A kabuliwallah! A kabuliwallah!
(Mini hides behind Father, who is annoyed and looks towards where she is
pointing. The Kabuliwallah turns his head and starts walking towards
them.)
Narrator – Seems like Father’s chapter will never be finished! Mini is
terrified of the Kabuliwallah as she believes that the big bag which the
peddler carries is stuffed with 2 or 3 more children just like her.
Meanwhile, Rahmun the kabuliwallah looks at the girl and enters the
house.
(Family is outside with the kabuliwallah. Father buys stuff and has a little
conversation)
Kabulliwallah – And where is the little girl, sir?
(Mini hides behind mother, and the kabuliwallah leaves)
Narrator – One morning, however, not many days later, Mini’s father is
startled to see Mini chatting and having fun with the Kabuliwallah while
she eats the almonds and raisins given by him.
(The above sitting scene from the book is depicted)
Father – Why did you give her those? (Gives money)
Kabuliwallah – (takes money) Thank you, sir.
Narrator – It took only an hour for the unfortunate coin to make twice its
own worth of trouble as the kabuliwallah had given the coin to Mini.
Mother – (angrily) Where did you get that coin from, Mini?
Mini – The kabuliwallah gave it to me.
Mother – The kabuliwallah gave it to you? Oh, Mini, how could you take it
from him?
Narrator – That wasn’t the first time she was seen with the Kabuliwallah.
After that, they used to meet regularly, share inside jokes and laugh in
each other’s company. The two were now great friends.
(Scene shifts to Kabuliwallah and Mini while the narrator speaks)
Mini – O Kabuliwallah, Kabuliwallah, what have you got in your bag?
Kabuliwallah – (in a nasal accent) An elephant! (Normally) Well, little one,
when are you going to the father-in-law’s house?
Narrator – Mini is unaware of what that means, but doesn’t let the
kabuliwallah know.
Mini – Are you going there?
Kabuliwallah – Ah, I will thrash my father-in-law!
(Mini laughs)
Narrator – The father was pleased with this friendship between the two,
but her mother was a very timid lady. She was overly cautious about any
new activity as she did not trust anyone easily.
(scene with mother and father)
Mother – (with a serious face) Beware of that man. It is not difficult for
such a big man to be able to carry off a tiny child!
Father – (laughs) It is highly improbable. Don’t worry. It is not right to
forbid the man in the house.
Narrator:
One morning, Father was doing some work in his study. Suddenly, there
was a commotion in the street. On enquiring, Father got to know that
Rahmun had struck a man who owed him money.
Policeman (dragging Rahmun):
Mini (with her usual exclamation, as she doesn’t know what is going on):
O Kabuliwala! Are you going to the father-in-law’s house?
Kabuliwala (laughing):
Just where I am going, little one!
(He and the police leave the frame)
Transition ---
Narrator:
Time passed and eventually, the Kabuliwala was forgotten by the family.
Mini grew up, made new companions. She spent more and more time with
other girls—so much so that she was now barely on speaking terms with
Father. Years passed by like this. Eventually, the day came when Mini was
getting married.
(Mini is in bridal attire, on other side of the frame.)
Narrator:
Father is in his study, looking through the accounts. Suddenly, he notices
someone enter. It is the Kabuliwala, older and frailer. Seeing him in this
state, Father’s heart shatters.
Father (In a sombre voice):
When did you come, Rahmun?
Kabuliwala:
Last evening, I was released from jail. May I not see the little one, sir?
(Calls out saying – Oh Kabuliwala!)
Father:
Rahmun... there is a ceremony in the house You will not be able to see
anyone today.
Kabuliwala (steps back, looking wistful):
Ah... I understand. I have brought a few things for the little one, sir. Please
give it to her.
Narrator:
He gives Father a few offerings. Father offers him some money, but he
refuses. Then, he takes out a faded handprint on paper; a memento of his
own daughter.
Father (on seeing this, calls Mini):
Mini: (arrives after a brief delay)
Kabuliwala (surprised on seeing her grown up):
Little one, are you going to your father-in-law’s house?
Narrator:
Mini, now understanding the meaning, hides her face. Shortly after, she
leaves.
(Kabuliwala sits)
Narrator:
On seeing the Kabuliwala, Father realizes that during this time, his own
daughter must’ve grown. Even in this little Calcutta lane, he can see the
barren mountains of Afghanistan laid out before the Kabuliwala.
Father (handing the Kabuliwala a bank note):
Take this Rahmun.
Kabuliwala:
No sir, I came to see your daughter. Not for this.
Father (with great emotion):
Go to your own daughter, Rahmun, and may the happiness of your
reunion bring good fortune to my child!
(Kabuliwala is a bit reluctant, but accepts)
Narrator:
Having made this present, Father had to curtail some of the festivities. But
it left him happy when he thought that in a distant land, a long-lost father
met with his only child.
