Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 11) The Descendant

Shankaran Murthy's unresolved dilemma directed him to seek the advice of his old friend Dushyant Bhadera. Maurya Anurag Verma, the owner of the house, 'Avadhi' was not willing to visit Anuragnicheri, and Shankaran had no wish to open the dilapidated house when Mahendran Namboodri had forbidden him. Hence, he travelled from Anuragnicheri to the small town of Orchha to meet his friend. Dushyant and Shankaran had studied together under Mahendran Namboodri. They had taken great joy in studying subjects like Esoteric Philosophy, Theosophy, and ancient civilizations and they used to pester their master with questions. A fortnight earlier, when Shankaran received a letter from Dushyant, he surmised that his long-lost friend would be the ideal person to take advice from regarding Avadhi and its owner, however, his friend lived in a remote location without any of the modern technology and to reach him, Shankaran had to undertake a long-distance train journey.

When the train stopped at Jhansi, Shankaran alighted quickly as it would not stop for more than a minute. Shankaran made use of the retiring room at the station. He bathed, freshened up, and after a cup of tea and breakfast, he felt more prepared to face the two-hour journey to Orchha by road. Instead of a bus, he took a taxi to the small town. The journey was quite interesting as the landscape was dotted with remains of old monuments. Shankaran sensed that the region still retained the remnants of bygone empires.

When the taxi dropped him a few kilometres away from Dushyant's house, Shankaran viewed the quiet lane and the village houses with interest. The exposed bricks of the houses looked rustic and the gates had ornamental frames. He stepped inside the courtyard of Dushyant’s house tentatively. The tall and dashing Dushyant rushed out of his house.

"Shankaran, my dear friend, welcome to Orchha!" A delighted Dushyant led his friend to the main quarters. Inside the austere house, Shankaran took a seat on the woven tapestry that was spread on the rough and uneven floor.

"Where were you all these years Dushyant? You just disappeared. I was so happy when I got your letter after so many years."

"I moved around to many places. Like I told you I had a mission and I had to complete it."

"Mahendran sir was looking for you for a long time."

"I know, I wanted to contact him but I moved to so many places that I lost track of time and place. When I reached Orchha, I contacted you and learnt that he was no more. I hope his end was peaceful."

"Yes, he had a peaceful end. He had taken care of a boy whom he had rescued from a gang of child traffickers and he handed the boy a promising future. So, he was happy and rested."

"Good, he was always kind to people," Dushyant said thoughtfully

"What are you doing in this place?"

"You know Orchha was built by a Bundela Rajput, and Rajputs usually build cenotaphs so I came here looking for the cluster of cenotaphs. I am studying them," Dushyant replied, settling down on the floor.

"Why are you studying these particular ones?"

"Not just these. I have been studying cenotaphs in many places. Through them, I am trying to find a link to an old dynasty."

"Why? Are you a descendant of the dynasty?"

"I don't know. But I have been entrusted with a job hence I have been travelling all over the country. Enough about me. Tell me about yourself."

"Well, I have been in a quandary ever since Mahendran sir handed me a key to an old house."

"What house?" Shankaran explained the story of Avadhi and its owner.

"Meet him personally then. Where does this young man stay?" Dushyant inquired.

"New Delhi."

"Since you have travelled all the way from Anuragnicheri to Orchha, you could also go to Delhi. It is not too far from here."

"I suppose I should."

"When you meet him in person and explain, he would understand the gravity of the situation. What is this owner's name?"

"Maurya Anurag Verma..."

"And he is the one Mahendran sir rescued?"

"Yes, he was very fond of the boy," Shankaran said, reminiscing the times when he had met Mahendran Namboodri to enquire about his health. "He was very fond of you too. He asked me often if I had heard any news about you," Shankaran added.

Inhaling a deep breath, Dushyant explained, "He knew I was in search of something very important and hence he didn't want to disturb me. If he had wanted, he could have found me through his secret network."

"Oh, he had a huge network. I often wondered how he managed to control such a network from his house in central Kerala."

"I believe he was gifted with special powers."

"Yes, he could even talk to spirits."

Recalling their mentor with affection, they chatted about him for a while. Shankaran's eyes fell on the maps drawn on the wall, impelling him to ask curiously, "So why are you searching cenotaphs? What can you possibly find?"

"Cenotaphs or Chhatri are memorials built for royalty. Rajputs, Marathas, and Mughals used to build them. In Orchha, there is a cluster of them built in the vicinity of the fort. I am studying each one of them to find if one of the dead royals had a connection to the Bhadra dynasty."

"What is so special about the dynasty?"

"The Bhadras used to be the revered rulers of an ancient kingdom called Alaka. They were prosperous and thriving but over time, the dynasty declined due to corruption and other vices. The kingdom also shrunk because neighbouring rulers fought with them constantly and invaded many parts of Alaka. Over the years, only the capital city Alakapuri remained with them. It became a very tiny kingdom but it existed for a long time. And subsequently, I guess Shunga and Khadga dynasties took over."

"Then how come you are the descendent?"

"Khadga dynasty named their rulers Bhadera. And so, I was told by my ancestors that since the name is similar to Bhadras, the same dynasty could have continued."

"So Dushyant Bhadera hails from the kingdom of Alaka," Shankaran made his observation aloud.

Dushyant chuckled, "Put like that, it sounds good."

"So why are you so keen to dig into your roots?"

"There has been a secret passed from generation to generation in our family. The practice is that one member of a generation is honoured with the task of finding the secret and he dedicates his life to it. But I have to tell you that none of my ancestors have found anything related except that, there is a link somewhere in one of the cenotaphs,"

"So that is the reason you are probing these cenotaphs..."

"Yes, I think Mahendran sir knew that I was searching for it. I believe it is why he let me go without any questions."

"If you don't mind, may I ask what the secret is?"

"I don't mind telling you because I know you will not disclose it to anyone."

"Of course, I promise I won't but if you don't want to tell me, it is ok."

"No no… I will tell you. It is believed that in ancient Alaka, some of the wise men had knowledge about time - travel."

"What?"

"Yes, one of the kings escaped into another time period. I am trying to learn the identity of that king because some significant message is inscribed on his cenotaph."

"Oh, that is very interesting but it is a tough task."

"I know, that is why none of my ancestors have found it so far."

"So, this Khadga or Shunga dynasty existed till when?"

"I am here. Doesn't that count?"

Shankaran laughed, "Yes, but you are not sure if you really belong to this dynasty,"

"Right, I don't. I believe this dynasty existed till around the 7th Century. There is another thought-provoking story about Alaka. During the rule of Bhadras, Alaka began to decline because they had burnt down a flourishing forest. The inhabitants of the forest had cursed the kingdom."

"Oh? Fascinating! I still can't believe that our ancients believed in time-travel. I thought it was only a modern science fiction notion."

"No, not only time-travel, but they also knew about a wormhole that had existed in the kingdom."

"Good lord, this is tempting me to stay here and learn the truth."

"Most welcome! I have made some food. Let us have a meal and discuss this further."

************

Dharma worked hard on her sketches and had them ready before the meeting. Taking inspiration from Tapan's designs, Dharma was quite excited to display her work but she had doubts about Rashika and Lekha allowing her to present her sketches. So, she showed her sketches to Sonia who liked them.

At the sight of Dharma, Lekha rapped, "I hope you won't make unnecessary remarks about our designs at the meeting today."

"I won't make unnecessary remarks but I will surely speak out necessary points."

Lekha's eyes flared with anger but she had no retort so they waited in tense silence for Rashika, Maurya, and others.

When Maurya walked into the conference room, Dharma tried not to stare at Maurya even though her eyes were drawn to him constantly. Irked, Dharma forced herself to concentrate on the notes that she was taking. The meeting began with Rashika addressing everyone about how she and Lekha worked on the theme and location. Dharma was delighted when Tapan rushed in to join the meeting. Running his eyes around the table, he waved at Dharma.

When Rashika finished, Lekha began to display the sketches and narrate the details. Dharma noted that they hadn't changed their designs or theme.

Tapan raised his hand after three designs were shown but Maurya asked him to wait till the end of the presentation. Tapan's appearance unnerved Lekha and she fumbled. When the last design was shown, Rashika took over, "So, they were designed with motifs inspired from the Mughal era and the location is like we told you, the old lake behind our head office. I believe it would be ideal for this particular theme."

Maurya listened quietly and asked Rashika, "Any other presentation from your other designers?"

Without hesitation, Rashika replied, "No..."

"So Tapan what do you think?" Maurya quizzed.

"They are not out of the box."

"We are not going for out of the box either. It is the first show of Index Fashions and we don't want to jeopardise our old clients. Hence, we are going for tried and tested designs," Rashika answered Tapan with obvious irritation.

Tapan shrugged not saying much. Maurya reminded him, "Tapan, if you have credible reasons, express them aloud. This meeting is held precisely for that reason, so that we can alter the designs or location," looking around the table, he added, "If others have an opinion, you can speak them out," his glance touched Dharma briefly.

"Even if they are tried and tested, Index has never produced apparels of these kinds. So, it is new for you and if it is a new line you are going for, then I suggest you go for something that has a touch of Index Fashion," Tapan suggested what Dharma was thinking all along. "To go suddenly for something that has all Mughal motifs is not advisable." Tapan declared further.

"So, what is that touch that Index Fashion has?" Lekha asked stupidly. Tapan who had been polite because he was addressing Rashika, turned to Lekha now with scorn, "You should know what Index Fashion has been selling all along. You were their designer, weren't you?"

His words brought a flush of colour to Lekha's face and Dharma felt sorry for her. Rashika eyed Tapan, "What do you suggest Tapan? We should not carry forward these designs?"

"No! To be frank, they are outdated. You need to come up with something trendier and chic."

"Maurya, I thought you liked the designs?" Rashika uttered sulkily.

"I have my experts here. We should listen to their recommendations," Maurya remarked, angering Rashika more. She slumped down on the chair and sputtered, "Ok, so you tell us what we should do. Scrap the show?"

"Dharma, do you have something to show?" Maurya asked, taking her by surprise. Everyone turned to look at her. Dharma's eyes flew to Rashika, hoping that Maurya's fiancée would be smarter and use the opportunity to her advantage but Rashika only stared at her with something akin to belligerence. Unexpectedly, Sonia used the chance to get into the good books of Maurya.

"Yes, Dharma has come up with an excellent collection but Lekha had refused to look at them."

Wow! That was an astonishing volte-face from Sonia. Dharma concluded later that Sonia had been waiting for an opportunity like that to pay back Lekha.

"Then show them to us. What are you waiting for?" Maurya commanded and Dharma took out her tab to present the assortment of designs. Her narration was simple and to the point, unlike Lekha who had waxed eloquently about Mughal motifs.

She had prepared eight designs and when she finished, she caught Maurya's glance. He turned to Tapan questioningly.

Tapan's simple answer touched Dharma, "I approve. There is freshness and authenticity in the designs. I think it would sell..."

Dharma intended her next statement as the clincher, "As for the venue, I suggest that we show our line in Modhera, around the old stepwell."