Sultry Days by Shobha de

SULTRY years A Tale of Struggle and Freedom sultry Days is the 5th reinvigorated written by Shobha De published in the year 1994. With vitriolic Days Shobha De has explored a different approach in her characters which had non been seen in her previous recents. Shobha writes in the front summon of this novel For my children fin each(prenominal)y a book by me that they canful read. L. Sonia Ningthoujam writes acerbic Days, takes us into the world of power, conjure and guns, the shady side of Mumbai upper class conjunction. 1 In this novel Shobha has realistically presented the loves of y fall outh, their aspirations their lieus, she mentions in her autobiography The novel is littered with types from that mixed-up decade-the self-styled bohemians out to change the world but non their smelly underwear the b separatesome erstwhile(a) men of Mumbai, all gas and small turds the corporate ladies with their technical dieliness hangs-ups the in sortectuals, pariahs and p arasites who feed off the rich while spitting on their capitalistic values. It was a fun book to do.And for those of us who grew up in that age in Mumbai, there were a lot of familiar echoes and reference points that grantd gobs of amusement during the recounting. I consider divinity one of my better-etched characters I can only(prenominal) regret he wasnt for real. 2 Shobha De dazzles the reader with her frank and candid tales of the lives of males and females who be toilsome to carve a successful c atomic number 18r in the field of operation of belles-lettres and journalism in the city of Mumbai. Because of her down journalistic stretchiness in Mumbai Shobhas carnal Days emerges as a precise realistic novel.Shobha says, I rather liked doing this book with its simple tale of doomed love, only if because it took me back to my college days and to the edges of the pseudo-arty intellectual world I crushed with briefly to begin with beating a hasty retreat. 3 The ga rter in this novel is as well a female like rising(prenominal) novels of Shobha De, but unlike her other novels acerb Days in any case revolves around a male character. Nisha, the protagonist of the novel is a strong headed and cargoner oriented female although the novel to a fault deals very realistically with a male character who also be recognises the key character as the novel unfolds.God or debutante is the central male character and Nisha is the narrator. It is through debutante that Nisha discovers herself. Nisha is a young college savant who is sharp and focused towards studies, she comes from an upper middle class family. Nishas parents do not have a very loving dealingship. She incessantly feels tense that catch has no prison term for her flummox and neglects his daughter. Nisha is a shy fille and she al slipway hated the frown birthmark on her forehead which do her air tensed all the time. Was it my expression? Did I style troubled? In pain? Depressed ? peradventure it was that birthmark of mine.It had to be that. I was innate(p) with worry lines between my brows. 4 paginate 2 Nisha thought that she may attend to debutante as a, A prissy secondary good girl who carried far too may books around. Pretty enough, I suppose. scarce not special. 5 scalawagboy 2 From the beginning we become aware of Nishas attraction for Deb who is also referred to as God by some of his college wizards. Deb is the tidings of a communist and is also a communist himself, he lots gets arrested while taking out Morchas. Nisha gets attracted to Deb because of his unusual personality.His appearance is moth-eaten, wears days old stubble, always scratches his matted locks which were full of lice-nests, smokes beedies, is a man of loose morals, has had several(prenominal) girls by the time he reached college. His attitude towards girls is also to use them and forswear them. I learnt very quickly that I had to bury whatever undersized ego and pride I had if I needinessed to hang around God. His attitude towards girls was simple-use them and leave them As for me, I was plain moonstruck. And for once in my bearing I wasnt spill to lose out by default. 6 summon 5Despite his shabby appearance, Gods hands and fingernails were surprisingly, neat and clean. He bonks many expressions such as German, French and Spanish. He had already read Chaucer and Karl Marx before leaving school. Deb fails to project exploitation and hence revolts against injustice, tyranny and frivolities. In the beginning of the novel Deb asserts the importance of decent means and told Nisha that he was not interested in bullion as it is only means to an end. Nisha is very impressed with his manners. Nisha is rattling in love with Deb and tries hard to work their relationship.Deb however, is not very emotionally attached to Nisha or at least he pretends so. He mainly lives off Nishas money. Nisha tells I loved buying intimacys for God. It gave me a comprehend of belonging. Gifts were a bond-perhaps the only one. Gifts-which he took entirely for granted. 7 rascal 13 Nishas parents disapproved of God as they felt that God is using their daughter for his own profit. however Nisha is totally smitten by Deb and tells them, Id like Deb to demolish my life. I indispensableness him to ruin it. I dont care if he wrecks it. I love him. 8 rascal 14 Nisha is very possessive about her convey and when Deb passes some nasty comments on her produce, Nisha screams at him in a fit of anger, Oh, shut up How dare you? I screamed, You and your filthy mind. What would you issue about the needs of ladies-you who have no background, no class, you filthy bastard. 9 page 17 Nishas bring forth is a distinctive hypocrite economize. At blank space he had set rules for his wife and daughter to follow. He expected his wife to be dolled up in office parties according to his tastes. His wife had no choice.Nisha tells, My fathers ideas o f a well-dressed wife were pretty fixed-she had to be draped in pastel-coloured chiffon worn with a sleeveless(prenominal) blouse Make-up, especially lipstick, was of vital importance since he heavily believed it was a sign of sophistication and no stylish woman should ever be seen without it. 10 page 19 He expected his wife to smell subsequently the house and accompany him for occasional parties. She was never march ond to do something worthwhile outside home. When Nishas catch told her friends that she had no time for her personal interests her friend tells her That is your problem.But if I were in your place, I would just tell him that if hed wanted to bind an ayah, he shouldnt have married you. We bring a lot of location to our hubby and they should realize it. 11-page 24 Nishas father did not approve of women going out of home for work. When Nishas mother got an offer for work from her friend Pratimaben her husband denied it uncoiledaway by saying In our company wiv es do not work. They stay at home and organize dinner parties 12 page 147 For a large number of years later on their marriage Nishas mother use to give up without a fight with her husband.But when the artificial doings of her husband started taking toll on her senses she told her husband in a fit of anger I have had enough of your bullying and hypocrisy. I have kept quiet for far too long. Go to pitfall with your corporate nonsense. Why should you I? Why should I hold out about you either? You can also go to hell with your episcopal talk and empty boasts. I am sick, do you hear, sick of hold this false life Well-its my turn now. And you can listen to me for a change. I will go along with Pratimaben with anything I choose to do. She is my friend.She en braverys me. She appreciates me Whether you like it or not, henceforth I will make the decisions about my life. And the first thing is that Im taking a job. 13 page 148 Shobha De satirizes the hypocritical couples who have extra marital relations and yet pretend to be faithful to each other. Deb broke the news to Nisha that her father is having an affair with a Sindhi woman. Even Nishas mother confirms that her father has broken all ties with her. Inspite of their differences Nishas parents throw an anniversary party for their friends.Nisha was tensed perceive all this and admits As for me, I was drwn into my mothers sad world, full of self-pity and doubt. I didnt know what to make of the bomb she ad dropped. My father continued to be normal and false nothing had happened. 14page 62 In this novel Shobha De throws light on the hollow life of film and modeling world. Deb gets no paper bag money from his father, he does free lance reporting as well as proof-reading. After college Nisha joined an ad agency and she became a little busy in her life. Whenever she had time she met God and enjoyed his company.As God became certified of his originative powers, he started writing poems. Nisha felt delighted see ing God abject in the league of contemporary poets. God is also very high-flown of his poetic sensibilities. God started attending workshops in which amateur poets gathered and showcased their work. Shobha De gives a very realistic picture of this strata of upcoming talent. She refers to such workshops as The sessions were conducted I dingy halls where the organizers didnt have to tolerate any rent. Everybody sat around on uncomfortable folding chairs or on the floorOthers who were present regularly were a fairly motley lot of attempt writers, a Grande snort of Verse, frustrated copy-writers and self-styled critics. 15 page 26 Nisha never felt at ease in the meetings of Anglo Indian Poets Association. There were some aspiring women appendages also in the group. Women like Chandni, Sujata, Pramila etc wanted to get name and fame in the field of journalism. These women wanted to get away from the clutches of domesticity and wanted to breathe in the fresh air. One such character is that of Sujata. Sujata was also a member of Gods poetry recitation group.She represents modern women who fulfills all her homely duties and also doesnt immobilize her own interests. Shobha writes All of them-her timid husband and four daughters, doted on her. However, she had made it plain that she had gone beyond them and that shed s take inped playing wife and mother long ago. After fulfilling her duties as a wife and mother, Sujata decided to live her life on her own terms. She told her family My duties are over. They are on their own now, she would explain. I have played the roles I was expected to at the take into account times. NowIm on my own. And they are on their own. This is my life. I want to live it my way. 16- Page 31 God appreciated Sujatas demeanour, he tells Nisha Whats wrong with her behaviour? She is beautiful, man, just beautiful. She follows her instincts. She makes her own rules. Shes not a coward. She cares two hoots for the so-called society. I adm ire her guts, yaar. 17page 31 Ultimately, God joined enclothe magazine as sub-editor and felt delighted. The basic aim of Plume was to encourage young poets.Shobha de has very realistically portrayed womens protest against the prevalent clay which limits the scope of a womans life to mere day to day home chores. In this novel women like Sujata and Pratimaben do not accept their traditional roles in marriage. They detest being limited to the domestic chores. Extremely conscious of their changed role in family, they proclaim loudly, We are not only housekeepers after all, We are not mere housekeepers, after all. 18page 24 several(prenominal) women are career conscious to the extent that they do not ring in terms of a settled family.Manju, Vimla are the professionals in trade field and are career oriented females. They represent the new age females writes Shobha De These were the no-nonsense women who had take me seriously written all over them.. They took their jobs with an earnestness that was almost terrorise in its intensity. Even the married ones insisted on being addressed as Ms or stuck to their maiden names. Their male colleagues were not permitted to crack jokes or flirt lightly. She writes further, Workaholism for women had become very fashionable. If men can chase careers ruthlessly, so can we, women declared at seminars and workshops for senior managers.. Postpone babies or invite your husband to share house work. 19page 119 These characters in Sultry Days have an altogether different outlook towards family and social life. In this context, Des feminist concerns in her fiction come close to the ideas expressed by Veena Noble Dass, publications should show women in activities that are not traditionally feminine to speed the diarrhoea of rigid sex roles.It is not enough, however to simply place a female character in a new occupation, with no gibe change in her personality and behaviour. 20 The modern woman aspire to performance powe r and control the situation. Feroze and Kiki also fall in the category of the vernal Woman of the new era. Regarding Feroze Shobha De remarks Feroze was on her own in more ways than one. Enterprising manipulative and full of strange kind of charm, she got around to places most people only dreamt ofFeroze became a familiar and popular figure in filmdom in an incredibly short period She drove her own car-she take in foreign cigarettes. She traveled by planes. 21page cl Nisha met indigotin Bhandari, a young marketing guy whod just set up a hot-shop of his own after coming back from a long stint in America with one of the best marketing agencies. Anil was in his early thirties and mockingly referred to himself as a first extension yuppie. 22 page 76 He was a fine example of a modern educated young man with refined international tastes.He smelt of Aramisor Drakkar and used Studio Line gel in his hair, wore Warren Beatty glasses. presently Anil was going around with a supermodel mo del Shona. Shona and Anil perfectly complemented each other. Once they were engaged Anil emerged as a typical male from a hypocrite society. He told Nisha In fact, Im going to ask Shona to give up modelling once were married. She wont need the money anyway. Nisha asked him Maybe theres more than money in it for her. Maybe she loves her career. She is right at the top now. Have you discussed it with her? Not yet. Im sure shell agree. Shes such an innocent docile girl. Anil said. What will she do with her time? Nisha asked him. Anil replied and asked Nisha What does any housewife do? Theres so much to do around the house. 23 page 109 As the novel progresses we see visible change in Gods attitude. From a small time poem writer and proofreader Deb starts working for an art magazine Plume. Having tasted power and money during his association with Plume, Gods sole interest is to beat money and power. Although Nisha does not approve of Gods new way of life. She explains her utter repulsiveness to Gods new style of living which had begun sowing the seeds of discord and estrangement between them.She says No I didnt like what was happening to God at all. We were beginning to see less and less of each other now that he didnt need to spirit me for cash that often God was behaving like a mortal, like all the other journalists in the town, a bum who shamelessly sold his pieces for a fews pegs of scotch and a five-star evening 24 page 100 Nisha always looked for a firm partner in Deb which Deb ceased to be, not because of his alliance with other women but because of their varied interests. Deb and Nishas relationship turned cold after the former starts caring less and less for his self-respect.He turned out to be a typical man from a male dominated society. Deb has moved to his own place and required somebody to cook for him and look after his house. Nisha suggested him to get a maid. Deb very casually told her These maids-shaids are a hassle, yaar. I need my own woman. If you want, I dont mind a shaadi-waadi-I know that will make you feel better. Theek hai-we can be burgeois and go through with that marriage rubbish. You can cook, cant you? ass you fry puris without burning your fingers? Can you make rice that isnt sticky? Better to get all this straight from the start, hai na?No lafda later on Give me my daal-roti, a sore bed, twice-a-week maalish and a daily screw. Thats all I expect. Nisha was too stunned to answer to what she heard One part of me was laughing. The other, feeling sorry for this man. He was patently deranged-or the worlds biggest egotist. He actually expected me to jump at this offer. He looked so comic. So vulnerable, standing in the lobby, trying to look nonchalant and heroic. 25- page 160 Gods sole interest in life was reduced to acquire money and power. Contrary to his attitude Nisha wants everything in life through unstained labor.Nisha had never expected this change in God and she failed to convince him as t o he did not need to work for a political broker, he needed to trust the power of his pen, but all her efforts went in vain. As ill luck would have it, Deb became proud of his power and joins Yashwantbhai, a don. Gods new life style began to sow seeds of discord and estrangement between them. Nisha realizes that God was no longer the same person she had fallen in love with. Nisha tried her best to refrain Deb from associating with a roughshod like Yashwantbhai but Deb had gone too far to come back.Nisha started exposing Yashwantbhai and his blaze connections in her write-ups. Nishas bold action is supported by her mother and also by a social activist Pratimaben who unravels and brings to public punctuate Yashwantbahis atrocities on his former mistress, Pramila. Pramila is a fine example of a new age woman. Pramila is a Nagpur woman, her husband is in a well compensable job, they have three children. Pramila is a talented poetry writer and to pursue her career in writing she leav es her family and moves to Mumbai. She shots to fame as soon as her poems are published in English.She administers a shock to her husband when she divorces him and leaves the house along with her two daughters. She eventually meets Yashwantbhai and becomes her mistress. She becomes avictim of his lust. She becomes pregnant with his child, Yashwantbhai forces her to get a sex take in done for the unborn baby as he did not want a girl child. Knowing that the child is a girl Yashwantbhai abuses her and thence it is God who helps her in going underground. Nisha, her mother, Pratimaben with Pramilas help expose Yashwant bhai.Ultimately, Deb has to pay for his association with Yashwant bhai, he is shot by Yashwantbhais goons and God collapses after struggling for a couple of days in hospital. When Dev is shot and admitted in the hospital, Nisha analyzes the life of ignorant and uneducated women of Bombay who never think of higher issues of life such as- What are the fundamental rights of a citizen? What is the interpretation of women liberation movement? What is secularism? testament women be free from the drudgery of the kitchen? What is the meaning of democratic collectivism? Is socialism going to help women in any way?What is the importance of L. I. C in the life of a family? Nisha thinks very realistically that these ignorant and simple-hearted women are not shot dead as they dont raise their voice against the underworld Dons. No threats are given to them as they dont interfere with the working of politicians. But the women in Shobha Des novels are strong and confident. These women know what they want from life and how to hand it. Nishas mother followed her husbands instructions through out her life but eventually she raised her voice against his hypocrite nature and emerged a winner.Women in Sultry Days assert their free and autonomous existence, they struggle and fight against the schematic social order that threatens their existence. Bhaskar A Shukla ob serves It may be partly on account of her experience as a journalist that she is able to tell things interestingly and with a courage of conviction in a language uniquely her own. 26 Women in Sultry Days represent a modern, self-sufficing and financial independent woman. These women do not expect their male partners to provide them financial security.In fact, it is Nisha grants monetary favors to her boyfriend Deb for a long time. Sujata, Pramila, Pratimaben are women who do not wish to be enclosed in their homes, they wish to be free from the clutches of male dominated society. They show the courage to leave their houses and pursue their dreams and make a mark of their own. Binod Mishra remarks In Des novels womens grand struggle for existence unfolds in their unconventional behaviour, their sexual escapades and their dream for a life free from male domination. 27 BIBLIOGRAPHY Sonia Ningthoujam, Image of the New Woman in the Novels of Shobha De. 2Shobha De, Selective MemoryStor ies From My Life, page 336 3Shobha De, Selective MemoryStories From My Life, page 336 4Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 2 5Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 2 6Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 5 7Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 13 8Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 14 9Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 17 10Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 19 11Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 24 12Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 147 13Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 148 14Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 62 5Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 26 16Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 31 17Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 31 18Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 24 19Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 119 20Veena Noble Dass, ed. , feminist movement and writings, Feminism and Literature (Delhi Prestige Books, 1995), page 10 21 Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 150 22 Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 76 23 Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 109 24 Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 100 25 Shobha De, Sultry Days, page 160 26Bhaskar A Shukla, Shobha de The Writer and Feminism, page 114 27 Bino d Mishra, Critical Responses to Feminism