The manager of the company was with him. He answered, ’One Rai Bholanath’s.’
‘Where did Rai Sahib go?’
‘God alone knows where he went. The building was attached after he went bankrupt and was put up for auction. It was close to the theatre so I wrote to the authorities and bought it for the company. We got the fully furnished bungalow for forty thousand rupees.’
‘You got it for free! Have you no news of Rai Sahib?’
‘I heard that he had gone on a pilgrimage. God knows whether he has returned or not.’
In the evening Acharya Mahashay sat warily among the people who had called on him and asked one of those gathered, ‘Do you have any news of Ustad Ghurey? I’ve heard a lot about him.’
The man answered sadly, ‘Don’t ask about him, master. He was returning home drunk when he fell unconscious on the road in front of a passing lorry. The driver didn’t see him and he was crushed to death. His body was found in the morning. He was a rare musician, sir, and Lucknow became desolate with his death. Now there is no one in whom Lucknow can take pride. He had taught some of his art to a boy called Nathua and we had hoped he would keep the name of the ustad alive. But he went away to Gwalior and after that we don’t know what happened to him.’
Acharya Mahashay was half-dead with the fear of being discovered. He could hardly breathe with the sword of Damocles hanging over his head. Fortunately, the moment finally passed and the clay pitcher remained whole even after being struck.5
Acharya Mahashay lived in the house as gingerly as a new bride in her in-laws’ home. The old values would not be erased from his heart. His self would not accept the fact that it was his house now. If he laughed out loud he would pull himself short with a start. If his friends who visited became too boisterous he would be engulfed by an unknown misgiving. If he were to sleep in the study, he would stay awake the whole night, for it was marked in his mind that the room was meant only for reading and writing. He could not change the old furnishings as they were still in fine shape. And, he never again opened Ratna’s bedchamber. It remained shut and untouched. His legs trembled at the idea of entering the room, and the thought of sleeping on that bed never once crossed his mind.
The Acharya displayed the marvel of his musical genius many times at the Lucknow University. He would not sing at the households of kings and nobility even if they offered him lakhs of rupees. This he had vowed not to do. Those who were fortunate enough to hear his heavenly music were said to experience divine joy.
One morning Acharya Mahashay had just finished his puja when Rai Bholanath came calling. Ratna was also with him. Acharya Mahashay was overawed. His heart had not quaked like this even in the big and splendid theatres of Europe. He bent over double to greet Rai Sahib with a salaam. Bholanath was a little bewildered by this humility. It had been a long time since people had bowed to him. Now, wherever he went he was only mocked and derided. Ratna was also discomfited. Rai Sahib looked around him dejectedly and said, ‘You must like this place.’
‘Yes, sir, I cannot imagine a better place than this.’
‘This is my bungalow. I had it made and I ruined it myself.’
Ratna said uncomfortably, ‘Dadaji, what is the point of talking about this now?’
‘There is no advantage, daughter, and no loss either. The mind is calmed by sharing one’s grief with honourable men. Mahashay, this is my bungalow or, let me say, it was. I had an income of fifty thousand rupees a year from my estate but in the company of some men I began to gamble. At first, I quickly won two or three rounds. I was emboldened and began to wager and make lakhs of rupees. But a single loss destroyed everything and the chariot of my fortune floundered. All my property was ruined. Just think, twenty-five lakh was at stake. If the cowrie had only landed head-side up, the splendour of this bungalow would have been something else altogether! But it didn’t and now I can only remember the days gone by and wring my hands in misery. My Ratna adores your singing and always talks of you. She has done her BA.’
Ratna flushed with embarrassment. ‘Dadaji, Acharya Mahashay knows all about me. There is no need for this introduction. Forgive us, Mahashay, the bankruptcy has unsettled my father’s mind. He came to ask you if you would mind his coming to see the bungalow occasionally. It would relieve his sorrow. He would be satisfied in the knowledge that a friend owns the house. We’ve come to you with only this request.’
The acharya replied humbly, ‘You don’t need to ask me. This house is yours, come whenever you wish. In fact, if you want you can live here; I’ll find another place for myself.’
Rai Sahib thanked him and left. After that day he began to come every two or three days to the mansion and sat there for hours. Ratna always accompanied him. Eventually, they began to visit every day.
One day Rai Sahib took Acharya Mahashay aside and asked, ‘Pardon me, but why don’t you call your wife and children here? Living alone must be difficult for you.’
‘I am not married; nor do I want to marry.’ His eyes were lowered while he said
