Am I 'Devdas'?

Behind every dream, is a fair share of nightmares - Anonymous

By chance I came across a beautifully written piece on the web yesterday. Love stories have always captured my interest and timeless love stories had a special place in my heart. Maybe it is because I believe that yours and mine is one eternal romance - frozen in the past.

I have read articles on 'Devdas' before and even watched the Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit. Yet whenever I come across a new piece on 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Antony and Cleopatra', 'Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal', 'Tristan and Isolde', 'Salim and Anarkali' or any other, I cannot help browsing through the work.

One thing struck me anew in the Devdas story. But first let me relate the story in brief.

Devdas is from a wealthy Bengali Brahmin family while his childhood friend Parvathi aka Paro is from the middle caste merchant class. After a 13 year absence in which Devdas is sent away to Kolkata for further studies the two are united only to fall in love.

As custom requires Paro's mother approach Devdas' mother with the proposal only to be insulted by the latter. She says that the match is impossible due to Devdas' family higher caste and financial status. A feud starts between the families and Paro's parents find a richer husband for her.

A devastated Paro meets Devdas at night and informs him of the impending doom. Devdas meekly goes to his parents to broach the subject but only finds out that his father too sides with his mother's view. On impulse Devdas flees to Kolkata and writes a letter to Paro stressing that they are only friends but soon realizes that he could not possibly live without her. He returns and tells her that he is willing to take any measure to save their love.

His reply comes too late because all plans are set for Paro's marriage. Disappointed by his weak will she says that she will never be his. Before their departure she makes one request: Devdas should return to her before he dies. This is an oath he takes to heart and fulfills at his deathbed.

That is how the legendary tale goes but there is one vital part missing. After Paro married, Devdas met a beautiful courtesan named Chandramukhi. Though he takes to heavy drinking, Chandramukhi is by his side desperately trying to save him because of the blooming love in her heart. Why didn't Devdas see Chandramuki's devotion? Was he too blinded by his love for Paro? It is unfair to compare Chandramuki to Paro or expect her to transform to the latter. Was Paro so untouchable in his heart that death was his only refuge?

But does the story end there? No, the characters have taken new names, features and personalities. I have seen and heard of too many modern day Devdases in real life. One love affair gone wrong but the individual suffers for life. He or she build a wall around him or herself and dwells in misery. Years pass by. Then one day they will look back and realize that in their inability to let bygones be bygones they have lost something else: the right to live a happy life with the loved ones by their side.

'Devdas' had been christened as a saga of 'a man who loved, loved and just loved'. It is a love story that never dies. Devdas left behind a testimony of true love. Indeed love was his life.

Love made him live on just like mine breathes life into your soul. But there is a difference. Losing Paro killed Devdas but I will keep you alive, buried within the deepest folds of my heart. Shehara

[email protected]