Introduction to the lesson

Lesson-9

Bholi

Introduction to the lesson

K.A. Abbas wrote the storey Bholi. The plot revolves around a girl who, as a result of an unintentional fall and disease as a child, struggles with the problem of being dull and ugly. Everyone makes fun of her for not being attractive or intelligent. Her life changes when she enrols in a nearby school, where her teacher encourages and assists her in becoming a knowledgeable and confident individual. Later in the storey, circumstances arise in which Bholi is forced to accept an unequal marriage but rejects it when she sees her father pleading with the bridegroom when he demands dowry. The plot depicts a young girl's struggle against social injustice.

Bholi Summary

Sulekha, a young girl, is introduced at the start of the storey. For being a simpleton, she was dubbed 'Bholi.' This was because a portion of her brain had been damaged as a result of an injury she sustained as a child. She stammered and had pockmarks on her face from contracting smallpox at the age of two. She was a source of amusement for everyone. Ramlal, her father, was a Numberdar. He had three sons and four daughters, the youngest of whom was Bholi. Ramlal was always concerned about her because it seemed impossible to marry her because she had an ugly face and a stupid mind. The Tehsildar came to their village one day to open a girl's primary school.

Ramlal was persuaded to send his daughters to school by him. Ramlal's wife suggested sending Bholi to school, despite the fact that she was opposed to sending girls to school because no boy would marry such a girl. She reasoned that since Bholi had no chance of marrying, she could go to school. Bholi was afraid to leave her house at first, but when she dressed up and her hair was washed and oiled for the first time in her life, she felt she was going to a better place. She met a teacher at school who was very kind and polite to her. She urged her to study and speak confidently. Bholi was filled with hope as a result, and she began to attend school on a daily basis. Years passed, and her village grew into a small town, complete with a cotton mill, a cinema, and the conversion of the primary school into a secondary school.

Bholi's parents decided to marry her off to a lame old man who was a widower but wealthy and had not demanded a dowry. They thought it was the best marriage proposal for their illiterate daughter and arranged for her marriage. The bridegroom arrived with great pomp and show on the wedding day, which filled Ramlal with joy. When the groom discovered Bholi had pock marks, he demanded a dowry in exchange for marrying her. He demanded a payment of 5000 rupees. Ramlal pleaded for mercy and even placed his turban at Bishamber Nath's feet, but Bishamber Nath refused. Ramlal had no choice but to give the money in order to preserve his family's honour and his daughter's marriage. Bholi couldn't take it any longer and refused to marry a greedy old man. People accused her of being vain. The wedding party arrived.

Bholi was not married at the end of the wedding ceremony. Her father was overcome with grief and stated that no one would marry her and that she would have to make her own decisions in the future. She responded by saying she would look after her parents when they got old and teach at her school. Her teacher, who was quietly watching all of this, was pleased with her decision.

Bholi Lesson and Explanation

HER name was Sulekha, but since her childhood, everyone had been calling her Bholi, the simpleton. She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.

  • Cot: bed
  • Backward: slow learner

Sulekha is a girl described by the narrator. She was the fourth daughter of Ramlal, the Numberdar (landlord). Sulekha had been called Bholi since she was a child. She was labelled as such because she was a simpleton and a slow learner. All of this occurred as a result of her falling on her head from a narrow bed when she was only ten months old. This had caused damage to a portion of her brain, making her a slow learner.
At birth, the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of small-pox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.

  • Pockmarks: spots on the skin
  • Stammered: fumbled for words
  • Mimicked: copy, imitate

She was very fair and beautiful when she was born. However, when the child was two years old, she contracted smallpox, which left spots all over her body. It was only her eyes that were spared. She began speaking when she was five years old and was frequently stumbling. Other kids mocked her and imitated her. This made her feel so bad that she was unable to speak.
Ramlal had seven children — three sons and four daughters, and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong. The sons had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Of the daughters, Radha, the eldest, had already been married. The second daughter Mangla’s marriage had also been settled, and when that was done, Ramlal would think of the third, Champa. They were good-looking, healthy girls, and it was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them. But Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence.

  • Prosperous: doing well, rich
  • Plenty: a lot of

Ramlal was the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters. His youngest child was Bholi. Ramlal was a wealthy farmer. He provided nutritious food for the family. Except for Bholi, all of the children were healthy and strong. His sons were sent to the city to attend schools and universities. Radha was his married eldest daughter. Mangla's marriage had been finalised, and it was now the turn of Champa, the third daughter. It was not difficult to marry them off because they were all healthy and beautiful girls. Ramlal's main concern was Bholi, who was neither beautiful nor intelligent. Finding a bridegroom for her was not an easy task.

 

Bholi was seven years old when Mangla was married. The same year a primary school for girls was opened in their village. The Tehsildar sahib came to perform its opening ceremony. He said to Ramlal, “As a revenue official you are the representative of the government in the village and so you must set an example to the villagers. You must send your daughters to school.”

  • Tehsildar: District collector
  • Representative: spokesperson

When Bholi's older sister Mangla married, she was seven years old. In that same year, a primary school for girls was established in the village. To inaugurate it, the Tehsildar (District Collector) paid a visit. He requested that Ramlal send his daughters to school. He encouraged him to do so because, as the revenue official, sending his daughters to school would set a good example for the villagers. This would result in the education of the village's girls.

That night when Ramlal consulted his wife, she cried, “Are you crazy? If girls go to school, who will marry them?” But Ramlal had not the courage to disobey the Tehsildar. At last his wife said, “I will tell you what to do. Send Bholi to school. As it is, there is little chance of her getting married, with her ugly face and lack of sense. Let the teachers at school worry about her.”

  • Consulted: discussed

Ramlal discussed the matter with his wife after hearing the tehsildar. She immediately rejected it, claiming that it would make it difficult for them to marry their educated daughters. Ramlal was now conflicted because he didn't want to disobey the tehsildar, but his wife was also correct. Finally, his wife suggested that he send Bholi to school because the chances of her marrying were nil.

The next day Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand and said, “Come with me. I will take you to school.” Bholi was frightened. She did not know what a school was like. She remembered how a few days ago their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and sold. “N-n-n-n NO, no-no-no,” she shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.

Ramlal drove Bholi to school the next morning. Bholi was terrified of going to school because she had no idea what it was. Bholi was reminded that their cow, Lakshmi, had been sent away a few days before, and her father had received money in exchange. She feared that she, too, would be sold like Lakshmi and so she drew her hand away from her father's.

“What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today, or else what will the teachers and the other schoolgirls think of us when they see her?” New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The old dresses of her sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today she was lucky to receive a clean dress which had shrunk after many washings and no longer fitted Champa. She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she begin to believe that she was being taken to a place better than her home!

  • Shrunk: reduced
  • Matted: untidy

Bholi's father became enraged by her behaviour and yelled that he was taking her to school. He then told his wife that she needed to dress up because he didn't want others to think poorly of them. So, for the first time, Bholi had clean clothes to wear, albeit in the form of her elder sister Champa's worn-out dress. Her unkempt hair was washed and oiled, and she was bathed. Such treatment led her to believe she was leaving for a better place than her home.

When they reached the school, the children were already in their classrooms. Ramlal handed over his daughter to the headmistress. Left alone, the poor girl looked about her with fear-laden eyes. There were several rooms, and in each room girls like her squatted on mats, reading from books or writing on slates. The headmistress asked Bholi to sit down in a corner in one of the classrooms.

  • Fear-laden: full of fear
  • Squatted: to sit with one’s knees bent

When they arrived at school, they discovered that the children were already in their classrooms. Ramlal exited the building after handing over Bholi to the headmistress. Bholi's eyes were filled with fear because it was her first time leaving the house. There were several classrooms, each with a large number of students. They were reading or writing while sitting on the mats. The headmistress led Bholi to a classroom and ordered her to sit.

Bholi did not know what exactly a school was like and what happened there, but she was glad to find so many girls almost of her own age present there. She hoped that one of these girls might become her friend.

Bholi didn't know anything about school. What made her happy was the fact that there were so many other girls her age. She hoped to make a friend with one of these girls.

The lady teacher who was in the class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could understand nothing. She looked at the pictures on the wall. The colours fascinated her — the horse was brown just like the horse on which the Tehsildar had come to visit their village; the goat was black like the goat of their neighbour; the parrot was green like the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard; and the cow was just like their Lakshmi. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her. “What’s your name, little one?”

  • Fascinated: attracted
  • Orchard: land planted with fruit trees

The lady teacher was teaching something in class, but Bholi couldn't understand it. She was simply admiring the various beautiful paintings on the wall. Bholi was attracted towards them. There was a drawing of a brown horse, similar to the one on which the tehsildar had visited their village. There was also a picture of a green parrot that resembled the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard (land planted with mango fruit trees). There was also a picture of a cow that looked like their own cow, Lakshmi. While she was looking at the pictures, she noticed the teacher standing nearby. She inquired about Bholi's name.

“Bh-Bho-Bho-.” She could stammer no further than that. Then she began to cry and tears flowed from her eyes in a helpless flood. She kept her head down as she sat in her corner, not daring to look up at the girls who, she knew, were still laughing at her.

When the school bell rang, all the girls scurried out of the classroom, but Bholi dared not leave her corner. Her head still lowered, she kept on sobbing. “Bholi.” The teacher’s voice was so soft and soothing! In all her life she had never been called like that. It touched her heart.

  • Stammer: fumble for words
  • Sobbing: noisy crying

Bholi tried hard but could only say Bho- Bho. She started crying after that and didn't dare to look up because she was afraid the other girls would laugh at her. When school was finished, the teacher approached Bholi and addressed her by name. Bholi was still crying and burying her face in her hands. Bholi had never been addressed with such affection before, and the teacher's voice was very soft. It touched her heart because she felt so good.

“Get up,” said the teacher. It was not a command, but just a friendly suggestion. Bholi got up.
“Now tell me your name.”
Sweat broke out over her whole body. Would her stammering tongue again disgrace her? For the sake of this kind woman, however, she decided to make an effort. She had such a soothing voice; she would not laugh at her.
“Bh-Bh-Bho-Bho-,” she began to stammer.
“Well done, well done,” the teacher encouraged her. “Come on, now — the full name?”
“Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi.” At last she was able to say it and felt relieved as if it was a great achievement.
“Well done.” The teacher patted her affectionately and said,
“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like everyone else.”
Bholi looked up as if to ask, ‘Really?’

  • Soothing: reduce pain or discomfort
  • Disgrace: dishonor, shame

The teacher tried to make her feel at ease with her friendly demeanour. She inquired about her name once more. Despite her trepidation and nervousness, Bholi tried and was able to say her full name. The teacher praised her for her effort and told her that if she overcame her fear, she would be able to speak clearly. Bholi was taken aback when she discovered she could speak clearly.

“Yes, yes, it will be very easy. You just come to school everyday. Will you come?”
Bholi nodded.
“No, say it aloud.”
“Ye-Ye-Yes.” And Bholi herself was astonished that she had been able to say it.
“Didn’t I tell you? Now take this book.”
The book was full of nice pictures and the pictures were in color — dog, cat, goat, horse, parrot, tiger and a cow just like Lakshmi. And with every picture was a word in big black letters.

  • Nodded: bow your head in a direction to give your approval
  • Astonished: impressed, greatly surprised

The teacher immediately recognised her curiosity and stated that what she had said was correct and that if she came to school every day, she would be able to speak freely. She then inquired as to whether Bholi would be present at school the following day. Bholi indicated her approval by moving her head up and down. The teacher instructed her to say it loudly. This encouraged Bholi, and she replied emphatically, "Yes." She was taken aback by her ability to speak clearly. The teacher praised her once more and gave her a book full of pictures of dogs, cats, goats, and other animals, as well as an alphabet written in large letters next to each picture.

“In one month you will be able to read this book. Then I will give you a bigger book, then a still bigger one. In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then no one will ever be able to laugh at you. People will listen to you with respect and you will be able to speak without the slightest stammer. Understand? Now go home, and come back early tomorrow morning.”

The teacher stated that once Bholi finished that book, she would be given a larger book, followed by an even larger book. She also told her that one day she would become an educated villager, and that people would respect her for her knowledge and wisdom. Not only that, but she would be able to communicate clearly. She then asked her to arrive at school early the next morning.

Bholi felt as if suddenly all the bells in the village temple were ringing and the trees in front of the school-house had blossomed into big red flowers. Her heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life. Thus the years passed. The village became a small town. The little primary school became a high school. There were now a cinema under a tin shed and a cotton ginning mill. The mail train began to stop at their railway station.

  • Blossomed: grow, bloom
  • Throbbed: beat, pulse
  • Ginning: the process of treating (ginning) the cotton

Bholi was overjoyed. Her heart felt a rare kind of happiness, and she imagined hearing the bells at the temple ringing and seeing red flowers on the trees outside the school. She felt a jolt in her heart that filled her with hope and happiness. As the village grew into a small town, her primary school became a high school. In her town, a cinema was built beneath a tin shed, and a cotton ginning mill was built. The mail train, too, began to stop at the village railway station.

One night, after dinner, Ramlal said to his wife, “Then, shall I accept Bishamber’s proposal?”
“Yes, certainly,” his wife said. “Bholi will be lucky to get such a well-to-do bridegroom. A big shop, a house of his own and I hear several thousand in the bank. Moreover, he is not asking for any dowry.”
“That’s right, but he is not so young, you know — almost the same age as I am — and he also limps. Moreover, the children from his first wife are quite grown up.”

  • Proposal: offer
  • Certainly: definitely

Ramlal was telling his wife one night that he had received a marriage proposal for Bholi. He asked his wife whether she should accept Bhishamber's proposal. His wife responded that they should accept the proposal because it was suitable for Bholi. She supported her point of view by stating that Bhishamber owned a large shop, a house, and had a large cash deposit in the bank. He was also not seeking dowry. Ramlal was unsure because Bishamber was his own age and had a disability. He had grown-up children from his first marriage as well.

“So what does it matter?” his wife replied. “Forty-five or fifty — it is no great age for a man. We are lucky that he is from another village and does not know about her pock-marks and her lack of sense. If we don’t accept this proposal, she may remain unmarried all her life.” “Yes, but I wonder what Bholi will say.” “What will that witless one say? She is like a dumb cow.” “May be you are right,” muttered Ramlal. In the other corner of the courtyard, Bholi lay awake on her cot, listening to her parents’ whispered conversation.

  • Pock marks: marks, blemishes
  • Witless: fool
  • Muttered: murmur

His wife stated that there was no harm in it if Bholi and the groom were a significant age difference. She stated that they were unable to find another match for Bholi. She also stated that because he was from another village, he might not be aware of Bholi's mental state or her hideous appearance. Ramlal expressed concern about how Bholi would react, but her mother responded that Bholi was like a dumb cow and would not say anything. Bholi was lying nearby in her bed, listening in on her parents' conversation.

Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He came with a big party of friends and relations with him for the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession, with the bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.

  • Grocer: a person who sells house hold goods and food items
  • Procession: March, Parade
  • Splendour: lavishness
  • Envious: jealous

Bishamber Nath, the bridegroom, was a wealthy man. He had a grocery store where he sold food and household goods. He ran a successful business. He attended the wedding with his friends and family. They were accompanied by a brass band that played popular Bollywood movie tunes. The bridegroom was riding a beautifully decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see all of this. He had never imagined such a lavish wedding for his fourth daughter. Bholi's elder sisters were envious of her good fortune.

When the auspicious moment came the priest said, “Bring the bride.”

Bholi, clad in a red silken bridal dress, was led to the bride’s place near the sacred fire.
“Garland the bride,” one of his friends prompted Bishamber Nath. The bridegroom lifted the garland of yellow marigolds. A woman slipped back the silken veil from the bride’s face. Bishamber took a quick glance. The garland remained poised in his hands. The bride slowly pulled down the veil over her face.
“Have you seen her?” said Bishamber to the friend next to him.
“She has pock-marks on her face.”
“So what? You are not young either.”
“Maybe. But if I am to marry her, her father must give me five thousand rupees.”

  • Auspicious: good, favourable
  • Clad: dressed
  • Garland: wreath of flowers and leaves
  • Veil: cover
  • Poised: calm

Bholi was brought for the wedding rituals on the wedding day. She was wearing a red silk sari. When she arrived, one of Bishamber's friends requested that he decorate the bride. A woman removed the veil that covered her face just as he was about to put the garland around her neck. When he noticed the blemishes on her face, he immediately objected to the marks on the bride's face. His friend replied that he should disregard this because he was too old to marry a young girl like her. Bishamber told Ramlal that he wanted 5,000 rupees in exchange for marrying an unattractive woman like Bholi.

Ramlal went and placed his turban — his honour — at Bishamber’s feet. “Do not humiliate me so. Take two thousand rupees.”
“No. Five thousand or we go back. Keep your daughter.”
“Be a little considerate, please. If you go back, I can never show my face in the village.”
“Then out with five thousand.”
Tears streaming down his face, Ramlal went in, opened the safe and counted out the notes. He placed the bundle at the bridegroom’s feet.
On Bhishamber’s greedy face appeared a triumphant smile. He had gambled and won. “Give me the garland,” he announced.

  • Humiliate: insult
  • Considerate: thoughtful
  • Streaming: flowing
  • Triumphant: winning
  • Gambled: bet

Ramlal became so enraged when he heard the bridegroom's demand that he approached him while keeping his turban at his feet. He asked him to be considerate and accept two thousand rupees as dowry instead of five thousand. Bishamber stood firm and stated that he could keep his daughter at home at that time. Ramlal asked him not to do anything because it would sully his reputation in front of the entire village. Bishamber, on the other hand, was adamant in his demand for 5,000 rupees. Ramlal went inside, took 5,000 rupees from the safe, counted it, and handed it over to Bishamber. The bridegroom was overjoyed because he had won the bet. He requested the garland. He was prepared for the wedding.

Once again the veil was slipped back from the bride’s face, but this time her eyes were not downcast. She was looking up, looking straight at her prospective husband, and in her eyes there was neither anger nor hate, only cold contempt. Bishamber raised the garland to place it round the bride’s neck; but before he could do so,

Bholi’s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil.

  • Downcast: low, cast down
  • Prospective: would be
  • Contempt: disrespect, disregard
  • Struck: hit, bang
  • Flung: aim, launch

Bholi removed the mask from her face and looked at Bishamber. Her eyes were filled with disdain for him. Her eyes were not filled with rage or hatred. Bishamber struck the garland with her hand as quick as a bolt of lightning as she was about to garland her. The garland flew away and landed in the sacred fire. She also threw away her veil.

“Pitaji!” said Bholi in a clear loud voice; and her father, mother, sisters, brothers; relations and neighbours were startled to hear her speak without even the slightest stammer.

“Pitaji! Take back your money. I am not going to marry this man.” Ramlal was thunderstruck. The guests began to whisper, “So shameless! So ugly and so shameless!”
“Bholi, are you crazy?” shouted Ramlal. “You want to disgrace your family? Have some regard for our izzat!”

“For the sake of your izzat,” said Bholi, “I was willing to marry this lame old man. But I will not have such a mean, greedy and contemptible coward as my husband. I won’t, I won’t, I won’t.”

  • Startled: sudden shock
  • Thunderstruck: shocked
  • Contemptible: offensive

Bholi addressed her father as "Pitaji." Her voice was clear, and she didn't stammer. Her family was taken aback when they saw this. She went on to say that her father should return his money because she would not marry this man. Ramlal was taken aback when he heard all of this. Even the girl's relatives began to whisper that she was shameless for refusing the marriage. Ramlal became enraged and yelled at Bholi that she had gone insane because such an act would bring shame to their family. Bholi responded that she agreed to marry the lame old man for the sake of her family's honour, but she was not willing to marry a greedy coward.

“What a shameless girl! We all thought she was a harmless dumb cow.” Bholi turned violently on the old woman, “Yes, Aunty, you are right. You all thought I was a dumb–driven cow. That’s why you wanted to hand me over to this heartless creature. But now the dumb cow, the stammering fool, is speaking. Do you want to hear more?” Bishamber Nath, the grocer, started to go back with his party. The confused bandsmen thought this was the end of the ceremony and struck up a closing song.

  • Violently: strong or extreme manner
  • Dumb: dull
  • Heartless: unkind

Bholi was a shameless girl, according to an old woman, despite the fact that everyone thought she was a dull and innocent girl. Bholi glared at her angrily and said that everyone thought she was a fool, which is why they wanted to marry her off to an unkind man. They called her shameless because she was willing to stand up for herself. Bishamber Nath's friends and family began to return. The band members had no idea what was going on. They assumed that the wedding ceremony was over and began playing music associated with the end of a wedding ceremony.

Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with the weight of grief and shame.

The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone was gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said, “But what about you, no one will ever marry you now. What shall we do with you?”

And Sulekha said in a voice that was calm and steady, “Don’t you worry, Pitaji! In your old age I will serve you and Mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much. Isn’t that right, Ma’am?”

The teacher had all along stood in a corner, watching the drama. “Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied. And in her smiling eyes was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when contemplating the completion of her masterpiece.

  • Rooted: fixed
  • Grief: sorrow
  • Steady: firm
  • Contemplating: view, observe

Ramlal was in deep grief and felt ashamed. The sacred fire's flames died after a while, and the guests left as well. He then inquired about Bholi's future plans and who would marry her. Bholi responded that she would care for both of her parents and teach at the same school that had taught her so much. She sought approval from her teacher, who was quietly watching the whole thing. She agreed with Bholi's statement. She was very pleased with Bholi's reaction to the entire situation. It was similar to how an artist feels when he sees his finished masterpiece.

About the Author

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (June 7, 1914 – June 1, 1987) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, novelist, and journalist who worked in Urdu, Hindi, and English. In India, he received four National Film Awards, and his films received the Palme d'Or (Grand Prize) at the Cannes Film Festival (out of three Palme d'Or nominations) and the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas is regarded as a pioneer of Indian parallel or neo-realistic cinema as a director and screenwriter.