Unusual Love

Near about two decades ago there was a large tribal village named Kalampur in the district of Kalahandi situated in the middle part of the dense forest. They live basically on forest resources happily by the grace of mother nature. All the rituals and customs are observed by them as per the tribal traditions. They were basically farmers and hunters and rigid followers of moral disciplines since their ancestral period. Almost they remained aloof from the outside civilised modern world. Often some urban people were plying to Kalampur either in pursuit of forest resources or enjoyment of the beauties of nature. They are plain, amiable, hard worker, simple folks who always try to live harmoniously together in good faith. They are also very hospitable by nature. But there is a strict administrative discipline in their community that any outsider can stay safe in the village with them provided one should be faithful to them. If any urban person tries to betray them one must have to undergo capital punishment. The weapons they use are mainly spears, arrow and bow, trident, harpoons etc. for hunting and self-protection. While ploughing the cornfields inside the jungle they all the times hold a sharpened little trident behind their neck to protect themselves from tiger attacks. They also wear human-facial mask behind the neck in lieu of a trident.

Once a well-educated Youngman, Phd. in Forest Ecology, arrived in Kalampur. He hailed from an aristocratic family and was a bachelor. He went there for the purpose of research and his name was Bikram Singdeo. Though he belonged to a rich royal dynasty he was very noble and intelligent as well as a bearer of a cordial heart filled in with true human qualities. During his stay in the house of the Headman of Kalampur, he became well acquainted with the young daughter of the Headman in due course of time. Her name was Gurubari and she was 20 years old. As per the direction of her father she was serving homemade food and water to Bikram Sir. Every day morning she was plying inside the jungle with Bikram Sir and plucking delicious ripe fruits for his breakfast. Bikram Babu also was teaching her Yogasan with Surya Namaskar daily. The gradually mutual affectionate relationship grew stronger and stronger between two incompatible personalities.

The wheel of time rolled on and on. In a blink of eyes, likewise, one year was completed then. Cordial affection by the by was converted into cordial love which was eternal. Supreme Soul has created innumerable human souls in the Globe but it is a miracle that out of a hundred there may be one or two who are called eternal lovers having a pure soul. Among them, Bikram and Gurubari must be taken into account. Gurubari's father, the headman, was marking their behaviours and lovingness without any reaction because he had confidence in his daughter who might never knowingly slip her feet into the mud of a blemished pool that could break his parental heart. His wife alias beloved mother of Gurubari was also a pious, diligent and housewife who always devoted herself to tribal philosophy. Her loyalty to her husband, the headman, put an idealistic impact on her daughter.

Both the young ones felt boundless youthful delight amid the encircling chirping of wild birds, the noise of wild animals, murmuring of Brisky fountains, cooing of spring cuckoos, drumming sounds of merrymaking tribal festivities etc. Although Mr Bikram was highly educated he had not lost his moral character till then like the young of nowadays. But where there are ghee and fire there must be apprehension of melting of ghee. On a full moon night when the spring was in full swing, Mr Bikram and Gurubari were enchanted by the effulgence of nature, they stepped out of their hermitage like house and sought a solitary place. So at last they found a tall Sal tree nearby their house as a perfect place to sit and exchange their inner heart's thought. They were so emerged in gossiping under the shadow mixed moon-beam that they forgot the tribal rules completely. While the village guard, Choukia, was. passing by the way he suddenly noticed Bikram sleeping in the lap of Gurubari under the tree and her face was touching Vikram's face. He was suspicious and informed the Headman, the father. After getting information the father was very angry and went to the spot. The tribal principle has deviated.

Hence the headman ordered his tribal priest to offer the urban young man, Mr Bikram, to the Village deity as human sacrifice the next day. Gurubari, though she was illiterate, had a human heart. Her love was true which was a combination of two sacred souls. She was a brave lady. She challenged her father, " If you actually love me you have to free Bikram from capiral punishment as he is my love. I can never live without him." The headman argued with Gurubari, his daughter, " No dear I love you. But I care about my culture more than you as I am a Headman. " Gurubari replied, " If your decision is so you first kill me then whatever you can do". Father headman was stunned and his conscience and entity clashed with each other. After some time he accepted his conscience and advised Gurubari, " If you are so stubborn then now you may elope with Bikram to his house before Sunrise. Other I will be humiliated before my kith and kins and they cannot spare you. They are very rigid and cruel. As I have spent my prime youth in towns I know the manners and lifestyle of the urban people. So do immediately as you like before morning. I appreciate your courage. " As per father's instruction, Gurubari and Bikram eloped from there and proceeded towards a nearby bus stand on a bullock cart arranged by the Headman. After reaching home both the lovers committed court marriage and spent their conjugal life peacefully. Mr Bikram attached a private lady teacher to educate Ms Gurubari at home.