Mira - IV Chappal

CHAPPAL

In the darkness, sounds of a busy street; as light fades in we can see that different percussion instruments are highlighting different characters and their occupation; there is much banter and noise. In the middle of all this, Raidas the cobbler enters, peddling his cobbling skills...his song is vigorous and witty and his singing is unique to say the least. The other peddlers join him in his song.

Chorus:
Thaka dhim thaka dhim thaka dhim dhim ta
Jhum jhum jhum jhum jhenu dhim dhim ta

Raidas: Far to go, but your sole's worn out
Come to Raidas and sit it out (add bols)
Put up your feet, give me those chappals
Close your eyes, and you're in a chapel (add bols)
Mend your soul, there's nothing better
(If you've far to go) than to come to the cobbler (add bols)

Chorus, taking up with the bols and pointing to their wares:
Thaka dhim thaka dhim thaka dhim dhim ta
Jhum jhum jhum jhum jhenu dhim dhim ta

Far to go, your feet are worn out
Come right here and sit it out
What's your hurry, so what if it's late
You need a break, the world can wait

Thaka dhim thaka dhim thaka dhim dhim ta
Jhum jhum jhum jhum jhenu dhim dhim ta

Rest your feet, your soul's worn out
Sit right down and rest it out
You shouldn't hurry, you wont be late
You need a break...
Chappati? Bel poori? Hot chaaya?

Thaka dhim thaka dhim thaka dhim dhim ta
Jhum jhum jhum jhum jhenu dhim dhim ta

Sit down sit it out heaven's in a moment
It's in my chappati... It's in my spicy chutney
It's in my bel poori... It's in my pakora and chaaya...
Heaven's here and the world can wait!

Thaka dhim thaka dhim thaka dhim dhim ta
Jhum jhum jhum jhum jhenu dhim dhim ta

The chorus disperses variously as light changes to show that Raidas has entered his little hovel. Lights dim out into a spot on him. He sings the song to himself as the music fades down. He busies himself with the tools in his bag, begins to mend his own chappal.

Raidas: Far to go, but your sole's worn out
Come to Raidas and sit it out (add bols)
Put up your feet, give me those chappals
Close your eyes, and you're in a chapel (add bols)
Mend your soul, there's nothing better....

There is a soft knock on the door, and there is a tentative squeak as it is being pushed a little way. Raidas' back is to the door. He looks up, an expression of recognition and then a gentle smile.

Raidas: Come in my dear, I've been waiting for you...

Mira enters, pauses... there is a look of confusion and hesitation on her face, and then she rushes to his feet.

Mira: O master....

Raidas, gently raising her face to him: Krishna's games are always full of mischief. He steals your heart and then he plays hide and seek with you... I should know... [He looks into her eyes deeply.] But he will let Mira find him. Come... [He gently lifts her veil to cover her face and head.] A new journey is ahead of you. [Spontaneously, Mira crosses her legs in the lotus position, straightens her back and closes her eyes as Raidas stands behind her and begins to intone the Ram Nam softly. The spotlight sharpens on them.] Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram...

When he has finished, Raidas steps into the darkness and disappears. Mira, alone, begins to sing... and she does so, she reveals the indescribable, heart bursting joy that she feels, drinking from the divine cup.

Mira:
pâyo jî, maim to nâma ratna dhana pâyo
bastu amolaka dî mere satguru, kirpâ kari apanâyo
janma janma kî puñjî pâî, jaga mem sabai khovâyo
kharcai nahim koî, cora na levai, dina dina baRhata savâyo
sat kî nâva khevaTiyâ satguru, bhavasâgara tara âyo
mîrâ ke prabhu giridhara nâgara, harkha harkha jasa gâyo

"I have found, yes, I have found the wealth of the Divine Name's gem.
My true guru gave me a priceless thing. With his grace, I accepted it.
I found the capital of my several births; I have lost the rest of the world.
No one can spend it, no one can steal it. Day by day it increases one and a quarter times.
On the boat of truth, the boatman was my true guru. I came across the ocean of existence.
Mira's Lord is the Mountain-Holder, the suave lover, of whom I merrily, merrily sing."

As the light fades to black, we see a Mira with a deep sense of knowledge and conviction.