TABOOT: THE JOURNEY OF LAST RITES

TABOOT : THE JOURNEY OF LAST RITES 
                   BY  SANJAY YADAV 


ACT I

[Many years ago, there was a village named Rampur. The people of Rampur worked hard every day, while the children went to school for their studies. However, whenever someone died in the village, the villagers had to carry the dead body through a dark forest during the evening in order to reach the graveyard. Women and children were not allowed to accompany the dead body to the burial ground.]

Scene I

[Two years later, a family came to settle in Rampur village. The family consisted of five members: Vijay (husband), Rani (wife), Priya (elder daughter), Preeti (younger daughter), and Ram (elder son). They came to the village to begin a new life and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.]

[During the daytime]

Vijay: Hello, Rani.

Rani: Hello, Vijay.

Vijay: How are you?

Rani: I am fine. What about you?

Vijay: I am also fine.

Rani: So, what is your plan for today?

Vijay: Nothing special.

Rani: Please don’t tell lies.

Vijay: Really, I don’t know, Rani.

Rani: Alright. Now I am going to prepare lunch..

Vijay: Okay, prepare it quickly. I am very hungry.

Rani: Just wait for a few minutes.

Vijay: Okay. I love you.

Rani: I love you too, Vijay.


Scene II

[During lunchtime]

Rani: Children, lunch is ready. Come quickly.

Priya: Yes, Mom. We are coming.

Preeti: Wait, Mom. We are just coming.

Ram: Let’s go fast. I am very hungry.

[Priya, Preeti, and Ram come downstairs and sit at the table for lunch.]

Preeti: Hello, Dad.

Vijay: Hello, dear. How are you?

Preeti: I am fine, Dad. What about you?

Vijay: I am also fine, dear. Where are Ram and Priya?

Preeti: Both of them are coming.

Vijay: Okay, sit down for lunch.

[Rani brings the lunch to the table. Priya and Ram arrive at the same time.]

Rani: Where were you, Ram and Priya?

Preeti: Mom, they are here now.

Rani: This is lunchtime. Why were you both late?

Preeti: Don’t worry, Mom. They have come now.

Rani: You are right, Preeti.

Vijay: Alright, let us all have lunch together.


Scene III

[Priya and Ram come downstairs very late.]

Rani: What is this, Priya and Ram? Why are you both so late?

Priya: I am really sorry, Mom.

Ram: We had some work in the room. That is why we got late.

Rani: Alright. Now sit down for lunch.

Preeti: I am also very hungry.

Vijay: Okay, everyone sit together and start eating.

[All the family members sit together at the table and begin having lunch peacefully.]


Scene IV

[Planning for a village trip]

Vijay: Listen, I want to talk to all of you about something.

Rani: Yes, tell us, Vijay.

Preeti: Tell us, Dad.

Priya: Let’s hear what Dad wants to say.

Preeti: Yes, Dad, please tell us quickly.

Vijay: Can we go to a village for enjoyment and peace?

Rani: That is a very good idea.

Preeti: Yes, it sounds like a nice plan.

Rani: Which village are we going to visit?

Vijay: Don’t worry. I have a friend who lives in that village.

Rani: Good. What is the name of the village?

Vijay: Rampur.

Rani: That is a nice name.

Vijay: So, all of you decide when we should go to the village.

Preeti: Shall we go this month?

Priya: Yes, that is a good idea.

[Ram sits silently at the table.]

Vijay: What happened, Ram?

Rani: Why are you sitting silently?

Ram: Nothing.

Rani: Alright.

Vijay: Then it is decided. We will soon visit Rampur village together.


Scene V

[All the family members begin packing their bags to go to the village.]

Vijay: Sorry, dear. We cannot go this month.

Rani: Then when will we go?

Vijay: I think we should leave tomorrow evening.

Preeti: Okay. Then we should pack our bags quickly.

Priya: Yes, let’s go and start packing.

Ram: I am very excited to visit the village.

Vijay: We only have tonight and tomorrow afternoon to complete the packing.

Rani: Don’t worry, Vijay. We will finish packing all the bags by tomorrow afternoon.

Vijay: Alright. Let us all start packing our things.

[All the family members go to their rooms and begin preparing for their journey to Rampur village.]


Scene VI

[The next evening]

Rani: Preeti, Priya, and Ram, are all your bags ready?

Ram: Yes, Mom. Our bags are already packed.

Rani: Alright. Then come downstairs with your bags.

Priya: We are coming.

Preeti: Mom, where is Dad?

Rani: Your dad is getting ready now.

[Vijay comes downstairs.]

Vijay: I am ready. I am really sorry for being late.

Ram: It’s okay, Dad.

Vijay: Alright. I will go and bring the taxi.
Rani: Okay.

[After a few minutes, the taxi arrives outside the house.]

Vijay: Get ready. The taxi has arrived at the house.

Rani: Okay, children, get ready quickly.

Preeti: We are ready, Mom.

Priya: Today we are going to enjoy a lot.

Ram: Yes, we will enjoy a lot during the journey.

[Vijay and the family members place their luggage inside the taxi and prepare to leave for Rampur village.]


Scene VII

[The family travels together in a taxi.]

Vijay: Come, everyone. Let us sit inside the taxi.

Rani: Alright, children, sit properly.

Preeti: Okay, Mom.

Taxi Driver: Sir, shall we start the journey?

Vijay: Yes, driver, you can start now.

Taxi Driver: Okay, sir.

[The taxi begins moving toward the railway station.]

Vijay: Driver, how much time will it take to reach the railway station.

Taxi Driver: Sir, it will take around fifteen minutes.

Vijay: Alright. Please drive slowly and carefully.

Taxi Driver: Okay, sir.

[After some time, they reach the railway station.]

Taxi Driver: Sir, we have reached the railway station.

Vijay: Yes. Thank you so much.

Taxi Driver: You are welcome, sir.

[Rani looks at the children while taking the luggage.]

Rani: Children, stay with us during the journey. Do not go anywhere alone, okay?

Ram: Don’t worry, Mom.

Rani: Good.

[The family takes their luggage from the taxi and enters the busy railway station together.]


Scene VIII

[The train arrives at the platform.]

Priya: Look, the train is coming.

Rani: Everyone, get ready quickly.

Ram: Yes, Mom.

Vijay: Listen carefully. Go inside the train
 slowly and safely.

Preeti: Okay, Dad.

[The train stops at the platform. Vijay and the family members enter the train with their luggage and settle into their seats.]

Preeti: Wow! I am very excited about this journey.

Priya: Me too. It is going to be a wonderful trip.

Ram: I cannot wait to see Rampur village.
Rani: Sit properly, children, and enjoy the journey peacefully.

[The train starts moving slowly from the station.]

[All the family members enjoy the journey while watching different beautiful scenes outside the train window, including rivers, green fields, mountains, and villages.]


Scene IX

[The train finally reaches Rampur village.]

Vijay: Everyone, get ready. We are about to reach Rampur village.

Ram: We are ready, Dad.

Rani: I am excited to see the people of Rampur village.

Vijay: The people of Rampur are very kind and helpful.

Rani: That sounds wonderful.

[The family gets down from the train and prepares to continue their journey inside the village.]

Preeti: Wow! This place is so beautiful.

Ram: Yes, I have never seen this type of scenery before.

Priya: Look at the green fields and trees. Everything looks so peaceful.

Rani: The fresh air here feels so pleasant.

Vijay: This is why I wanted all of you to visit Rampur village. Life here is simple, peaceful, and close to nature.

[The family continues their journey through the village road while observing the beauty of nature, green farms, rivers, and the hardworking villagers of Rampur.]


Scene X

[Vijay and his family reach his friend’s house in Rampur village.]

Vijay: Hello, my dear friend.

Vijay’s Friend: Hello, my friend! How are you?

Vijay: I am fine. What about you?

Vijay’s Friend: I am also fine. Welcome to my village.

Vijay: Thank you. These are my family members  my wife Rani, and my children Ram, Preeti, and Priya.

Vijay’s Friend: Hello, everyone. Please come inside the house. It is very hot outside. Let us sit together and talk.

Vijay: Yes, sure.

[All of them enter the house and sit together.]

Vijay’s Friend: Please sit comfortably. I will bring some sweets and water for all of you.

Rani: Thank you.

Ram: Dad, the village is very beautiful.

Preeti: Yes, this is my first time visiting a village.

Priya: I am seeing many different things here for the first time.

Vijay: Village life is simple, peaceful, and close to nature.

[Vijay’s friend returns with sweets and drinking water.]

Vijay: He has come back now.

Vijay’s Friend: The sweets and water are ready. Please have some.

Rani: Thank you very much.

Preeti: The water feels so fresh and cool.

Ram: Yes, village water tastes very different from city water.

[All of them sit together happily, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Rampur village.]


Scene XI

[Vijay’s friend takes the family to visit the agricultural fields during the evening.]

Vijay’s Friend: This evening, I will take all of you to the agricultural fields.

Vijay: Agricultural fields are the most beautiful places where our farmers work day and night.

Vijay’s Friend: Yes. All of you will understand the real hard work of farmers in village life.

Priya: I am very happy to see the farmers working in the fields.

Preeti: Yes, I also want to see the farmers closely.

Ram: We are going to enjoy visiting the agricultural fields with the farmers.

[After some time, all of them reach the agricultural fields.]

Ram: Look! The animals are coming from the fields.

Preeti: Yes, it is so beautiful. I am seeing this for the first time with my own eyes.

Priya: Dad, look at the farmers working so hard in the fields.

Vijay: Yes. These farmers work tirelessly in the agricultural fields. Because of their hard work, we are able to fill our stomachs every day.

Preeti: Yes, Dad. We should always appreciate and respect our farmers.

Vijay’s Friend: Why are you all standing here? Go and enjoy the beauty of the fields.

[The children happily run through the fields while Vijay and Rani enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of village life and watch the hardworking farmers at sunset.]


Scene XII

[While enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the fields, Vijay suddenly hears the sound of women crying from a distance.]

Vijay: Friend, what is that sound?

Vijay’s Friend: Oh, that sound? Those are women crying because someone has died in the village. The villagers are preparing for the last rites.

Vijay: Where do they take the dead body for burial?

Vijay’s Friend: They first carry the dead body
 on a tractor. After that, the villagers must walk a long distance under the hot sun and cross the forest to reach the graveyard.

Vijay: But don’t you think the people are suffering too much just to bury the dead bodies?

Vijay’s Friend: You are right, my friend. The villagers have struggled like this for many years during the last rites.

Vijay: But why has nobody tried to change this problem?

Vijay’s Friend: Many people wanted development, but it would require a lot of money for roads, drinking water facilities, and proper burial pathways.

Vijay: Don’t worry about the money. I am ready to help the villagers.

Vijay’s Friend: Really? Thank you so much, my friend. The people of Rampur village will always remember your kindness.

Vijay: Before making any decision, I would like to discuss it with my wife and children.
Vijay’s Friend: Yes, of course. You should speak with your family first.

[Vijay looks toward the distant forest path where the villagers are carrying the dead body for the last rites. The crying voices slowly echo through the silent evening atmosphere of Rampur village.]

Scene XIII

[Vijay calls his wife and children to discuss the problems faced by the villagers.]

Vijay: Rani, please come here once.

Rani: Yes, I am coming. Tell me, Vijay.

Vijay: I want to talk with all of you about something important.

Rani: Yes, tell us.

Vijay: If you do not mind, can we help the people of this village? They are struggling a lot in difficult situations.

Rani: What kind of help are you thinking about?

Vijay: My friend told me about the problems faced by the villagers. They struggle even during the last rites of their loved ones.

Preeti: What happened, Dad?

Vijay: The villagers have to carry dead bodies for a long distance through the forest to reach the graveyard. There is no proper road, resting place, or drinking water facility on the way.

Priya: That is very painful.

Ram: Yes, Dad. Walking such a long distance in the hot sun must be very difficult for the villagers.

Rani: I never imagined people were suffering like this.

Vijay: I want to help them by developing proper facilities near the burial route, especially drinking water and a better pathway.

Preeti: Dad, that is a very good idea.

Priya: Yes, we should help the villagers.

Ram: I am also ready to support this work.

Rani: Vijay, helping people in difficult situations is a noble thing. We are with you.

Vijay: Thank you. Together, we will try to bring some change to Rampur village.

[Vijay and his family look toward the distant forest road where the villagers continue their difficult journey during the last rites.]

Scene XIV

[Vijay and his friend begin planning ways to improve the difficult conditions faced by the villagers.]

Vijay: Friend, tell me, what should we do now to help the village people?

Vijay’s Friend: First, we should arrange land near the village for the burial of dead bodies. Then the people will not have to walk long distances through the forest for the last rites.

Vijay: That is a very good idea. Let us begin this work as soon as possible.

Rani: Don’t worry. I am also with you in this work.

Priya: Mom and Dad, what happened?

Preeti: Yes, what are you both discussing?

Rani: Dear children, we are planning to help the villagers and improve their difficult situation.

Ram: Oh really? Then I also want to be a part of this work.

Vijay’s Friend: Yes, Ram. You can also join us and help the village people.

[All the family members agree to support the development work for the villagers.]

Vijay: Friend, first we will go together and talk about arranging land for the burial ground.
Vijay’s Friend: Yes, let us go and speak with the village elders and the landowners.

Preeti: Dad, if the graveyard becomes closer to the village, the people will suffer less.

Priya: Yes, and they will not need to cross the dangerous forest anymore.

Vijay: That is exactly why we must help them. Every human deserves dignity during the last rites.

[All of them leave together with hope and determination to improve the lives of the people of Rampur village.]


Scene XV

[Vijay and his friend visit a landowner near the village area.]

Vijay: Good morning, sir.

Landowner: Good morning. Please come inside and sit down.

Vijay’s Friend: Thank you, sir. We want to discuss something important with you.

Landowner: Yes, please tell me.

Vijay’s Friend: Sir, you know the difficult condition of the village people. They must walk long distances and cross the forest to bury dead bodies at the graveyard.

Landowner: Yes, I know about their suffering.
Vijay: We want to help the villagers by arranging a burial ground near the village. That is why we came here to request some land for the people.

Landowner: This is a noble work. Don’t worry. I am ready to give some land for the villagers so they can perform the last rites peacefully.

Vijay’s Friend: Thank you so much, sir. The people of Rampur village will always remember your kindness.

Vijay: Yes, sir. You are helping many families in their difficult times.

Landowner: Humanity is the greatest duty of all people. I am happy to help the village.
[After thanking the landowner, Vijay and his friend return home.]

[Rani and the children wait eagerly for them.]

Rani: What happened? Did you get the land?

Vijay: Yes, we got the land for the burial ground.

Rani: That is wonderful news.

Priya: Now the villagers will not have to travel such a long distance.

Ram: Yes, this will help many people.

Vijay: Our next step is also very important.

Vijay’s Friend: Yes. Now we must arrange clean drinking water for the villagers and for the people who come for the last rites.

Preeti: That is a very good idea. People become tired while walking in the heat.

Rani: Water will give them relief during difficult times.

Vijay: Tomorrow we will begin the work of bringing drinking water facilities near the burial ground.

[After a few days, Vijay, his friend, and the villagers work together to arrange clean drinking water facilities for the people of Rampur village.]

[The villagers happily gather near the new water facility and thank Vijay and his family for helping improve their lives.]


Scene XVI

[After several days, the condition of the villagers begins to improve. The new burial ground near the village and the drinking water facility help the people greatly during the last rites.]

[The villagers gather together to thank Vijay and his family for their kindness and support.]

Village Elder: Vijay, because of your help, the people of Rampur village no longer have to walk long distances through the forest during the last rites.

Villager 1: Yes, now the families can perform the burial peacefully and with dignity.

Villager 2: The drinking water facility has also helped many tired people during difficult times.

Rani: We are happy that we could help the village people.

Priya: Seeing the villagers smile makes me feel proud.

Preeti: Yes, now the people are suffering less than before.

Ram: We all worked together for a good cause.

Vijay’s Friend: Vijay and his family have done a noble work for this village. Rampur village will always remember them.

[The villagers praise Vijay and his family for bringing positive change to the village.]

[However, Vijay silently looks toward the burial ground with deep emotion.]

Rani: Vijay, why are you standing silently?

Vijay: Rani, this land has witnessed the pain of many families. So many dead bodies have been buried here during their last journey. Every grave carries someone’s sorrow, love, and memories.

Rani: Death is the final truth of human life. But because of your work, people can now complete the last rites with less suffering.

Vijay: Yes, but whenever I see this land, I remember the tears of the people who lost their loved ones.

Village Elder: Son, sorrow and death are part of human life, but helping people in their difficult times is the greatest humanity.

Vijay: I only wanted the villagers to live with dignity and perform the last rites peacefully.

[The villagers stand silently with respect near the burial ground.]

[The evening sun slowly sets behind the village while the sound of prayers echoes softly through the peaceful atmosphere of Rampur village.]