YASODARA - Not blog; but a script

YASODARA
(The wife of Siddhartha-Buddha)

EPISODE – 1


Scene-1 Suddhodhana’s Palace & its surroundings Night

It is night. Midnight…
The sky is bright and clear.
In the moonlit sky, away, far away near the horizon, a few stars twinkle.
Below, the expansive land mass is quiet and still with its placid hills and valleys…

In the heavy silence of the night, the palace and the wide streets beyond,

lit by the pale yellow moon, lie lost in deep slumber.
It seems the whole castle stands sans life, for no life form is seen in the vicinity.

AUDIO
Sound of a drumbeat echoes in the stillness.

Then silence…

A gentle breeze, now, moves along very timidly as if it is frightened of the dreadful silent night.

The very dead silence is now marred by the distant loud cry of timekeepers to announce the duties of the guards and time (Yamam*) and the sudden ‘booming’ sound of his odd drum beats.

The wild cry and the drumbeat echo for a while and subside.

(*Yamam - one Yamam is about 3 hrs.)

Voice Over
A loud cry, followed by the sound of one or two drum beats.

Heavy silence seizes the whole castle once again.

The gentle breeze moves along, now not in fear, but catching its momentum gradually.

The low, but ‘disturbing’ sound of soft movements of guards, invisible, and some instructions exchanged disrupt the silence somewhat and then it also subsides.

Voice Over
It’s time…Get ready… It’s time….

This voice is heard in a very low hissing, but frightening voice.
Then the dead silence is followed by the disturbing sound of soft movements of guards.

The queer stillness grasps the castle a third time.
Moments drag by.

Suddenly, a shrill shrieking pierces the still and silent night.
It is so frightening that the whole castle trembles under its weight...

Voice Over
It’s time…It’s time…It’s time…

The alien frightening words are heard more clear and louder.
A shrill shrieking follows it…

The ethereal words and the alien cries reverberate all over the castle & valleys.

The next moment, as if from nowhere, a white, sturdy bull comes running through the streets. (The very instant a very loud scream is also heard)

Voice Over
“Oh, no! Someone stop him. Or else all the fortunes of the city will go with him.”

Shaking its long, stout horns violently, the bull stamps on the ground, and bellowing loud, comes towards the city gates.

(On its forehead shines a big red gem. Its horns are painted with bright colors. Yes, it is gold!)

Shaking its horns, and bellowing loud runs this strange frightening bull…

Stamping the foot, striking the earth, shaking the horns and bellowing loud,

rushes the bull now here and there trying to go out of city gates…


Now comes, Yasodara - beautiful, very beautiful Yasodara. She comes running.
The white silk on her half-naked body is torn here and there.
Her long black uncombed hair is loose and flying like a cascade.
Her hands and legs bear signs of injury.

She falls down, gets up, with fear written in her countenance, runs after the bull.

Yasodara’s Voice Over
“Tie him up...someone tie him up, my God! Before he runs away, tie him up....”

At intervals, she cries aloud and struggles to stop the bull.
(But, no one seems to have heard her shouting).

The Bull, bellowing, turns back and comes towards her.

Yasodara is frightened and falls down…

But, coming near her, the bull retreats and runs towards the gates.

Yasodara, though with frightened face, jumps up quickly and moves towards the bull.

The next moment, catching the neck of the bull by all her might, she cries aloud.
Yasodara:
Someone close that gate...”!

The gates are seen opened itself a little.
(There is no reply to Yasodara’s shouting.)

Yasodara tries hard to stop the bull.
But dragging her with it, the bull is dashing forward.

The sight at the gates…

The gatekeepers are fast asleep.
They sleep like lifeless figures…

The next instant, the bull takes Yasodara by its horns and tosses her away.
Yasodara falls flat on the ground.
She crawls desperately.

The bull rushes forward fast.
The gate opens.

(The cries of Yasodara is heard aloud)

Voice Over

(The cries of Yasodara…)


Through the gates the bull rushes out.

(Complete silence after this)

No movement for quite some time.
(The silence continues)

Now, along the route taken by the rushing bull, from the site of the city, four figures (Dikpalakas) come walking.

(They make frame-entry into the still and silent street).

In front of them lies the long, empty street. (Yasodara is not seen there).

The approaching figures stop for a moment and look at one another and withdrawing their gaze, they stare at the Palace.

AUDIO
(Unique sound similar to that of heartbeats is heard)

They walk fast as if they are intent on carrying out some strange and secret plan of action. (Their movements show this)

(The street in front is almost soaked in silence).

At the far end is the Palace.

With their eyes fixed on the Palace and its surroundings, the four approaching Figures walk forward. Suddenly behind them are seen several similar Figures.

Then, the Figures in the front - the four of them - shout.

The four:

“It’s time... It’s time...It’s time....

The next moment, the flag of ‘Indra’, flying till now at the city gates, is torn into two pieces.
(The sound of the flag tearing into two pieces is heard along with the unique sound similar to that of heartbeats)

The flagstaff splits and falls on the ground.
(The sound of flagstaff splitting is followed by a woman’s loud cry)

Again silence. Dead silence.
(Now camera moves forward)


Scene – 2 Bedchamber of Yasodara Night


(Camera moves forward. It moves along the corridor. It approaches the curtain in front of Yasodara’s chamber)

The curtain of the bedroom door gets torn as if some one is forcibly tearing it.
It is torn into two pieces.

(Camera moves forward and approaches the bed.)

The diamond “waist chain” of Yasodara…
From the diamond chain, the camera moves upward. Up to her bosom…

(The camera moves backward.)

The diamond chain of Yasodara is not there.
Instead, there is a serpent seen coiling around and ready to strike at her.

Yasodara’s bangles break and fall away.

The anklets break and fall on the ground.

The window shutters close with a bang.

The window curtains are torn…the pieces flying here and there.

The beautiful Yasodara and her husband Siddhartha are sleeping.

Suddenly the bedstead shakes, as if some one is shaking it forcefully.

Voice Over
(“It’s time... it’s time…” A cry is heard...)

Shaking...shaking, the bedstead goes down.

Shaking with fear Yasodara screams aloud.

(The silent bedstead… There is nothing strange now)

Yasodara wakes up with a start.
She is sweating; her eyes are staring. Fear is writ large in her face.

She looks at the place where her husband was sleeping.
It is vacant... He is not there.
Instead, the bed sheet un-crumbled...the pillow...The dress removed and left there.

Complete silence.

Instinctively her eyes wander all over.
Suddenly with all the strength she cries aloud.

Yasodara:
“Oh my Prince…! Aryaputhra!!”

Awakened Rahula cries.

Yasodara’s shouting reverberates through the palace, its corridors, and its rooms.

Yasodara’s Voice over
“Arya Puthra! My Prince…my lord….!!

Light comes in all rooms and corridors of the palace.
The guards and servants rush here and there.
Yasodara runs along the corridor crying:

Yasodara:
“Where’s my husband? Where’s he? Where’s he? Has he left me? Oh God...!”

The servants and maids run after her.
Yasodara runs into the inner chambers.
The servants rushing in and out…

The first one:
What! What happened?”
The second:
“The Prince is not to be seen.”
The third:
“He has left the palace.”

Prajapathi comes running in.
Yasodara rushes in… into the hands of Prajapathi.


Prajapathi:
“Tell me, what happened? Where is Siddhartha?”

Yasodara (sobbing):
“He has left me….Arya Puthra has left me”

Hearing this, Prajapathi falls down unconscious.
The servants and others rush to her side.

Yasodara dashes towards her own chamber crying aloud…

Scene-2(A) Durbar Hall Night

Suddhodana is going towards (entering) the Durbar Hall.
The palace guard is seen running after him…

Guard:
“Your Highness!!”

Hearing the sound, Suddhodana stops.

The guard (in a choked voice):
“Prince Siddhartha is not to be seen”

Turning round quickly,
Suddhodana:
“What?!”

The guard:
“Yes, your Highness, the Prince has renounced.”

Suddhodana shocked by the news, leans on a nearby pillar.


Scene-2(B) Yasodara’s Chamber Night

Like one possessed, Yasodara rushes in.
She runs towards her crying child, takes him in her arms, and holding him, cries aloud.

Rahula gets frightened and cries louder.

A maidservant enters.
She takes the crying child from the mother and goes out.

Suddhodana enters Yasodara’s room.
(His face is pale and reflects his agitation and sorrow.)

Wiping his tears and turning to the guard near the door,

Suddhodana:
"Who’s there? Go! Close all the gateways of the city at once!
Let the cavalry march to the boundaries and find out where the
Prince is. Tell Channa to saddle Kanthaka?”.

The guard:
“Your Highness! Channa and Kantaka are also not to be seen.”

Hearing this Suddhodana stands stunned.

Yasodara takes Siddhartha’s dress, holds it against her bosom and sobs again and again.

Next moment, like some one gone mad, she starts tearing her own dress.
Seeing this, her maids in attendance beg her not to do it.

They:
Please don’t, Princess. Please don’t”.

Prajapathi comes sobbing, led by a maid.
She comes near Yasodara and sits on the floor. She sobs…,

Prajapathi:
“I fed you with my milk, my dear son, why you've left me..!

Sobbing, Prajapathi takes Yasodara against her chest and kisses on her forehead.
(And forgetting herself, tells Yasodara not to cry)
Prajapathi:
”My dear, don’t, don’t cry…don’t cry.”

Yasodara continues sobbing.

Yasodara:
Oh mother…Where’s he? I ‘m a beggar now…”

Saying this Yasodara cries.

Wiping his eyes, with his upper cloth (Uthareeyam) Suddhodana heaves a sigh and slowly leaves the place…

The maid enters silently carrying Rahula in her hands.

Yasodara is lying inthe lap of Prajapathi.
Her look fixed on the far, the far away. Her lips, trembling…
Tears streaming from her eyes... (Silent weeping)

The maid brings the child who now has stopped crying and is silent.
For a moment Yasodara’s eyes are on the child.
Then she withdraws her eyes as if she has quietened herself.
Yasodara’s face is swollen with constant weeping.

Her eyes are fixed beyond the window.
(Slowly she is bringing to her mind, unravelling, the past days).

(Sounds of drumbeats are heard in a low tone. Gradually it becomes loud)
Yasodara’s face fades out slowly as the drumbeats become louder and louder.


Scene-3 Street near Suprabuddha’s mansion Day

The street in front of Suprabuddha’s mansion…

An announcer (Ghoshak) beats the drum.
Announcer:
“On the third day from today in the palace courtyard at Kapilavasthu, all Sakhya maidens should assemble to receive presents precious from the Prince Siddhartha.”


The people assemble around him.

The Ghoshak’s (drummer) face.
Audio
Dum..Dum...Dum…

The scene dissolves into the next scene.


Scene-4 Suprabudha’s Mansion (Yasodara’s Chamber) Day


Suprabudha’s residence… The topmost storey…
Yasodara’s Chamber…

Through the window of the chamber Yasodara sees the sights outside.
(The sight in Scene-3).

The first maid’s joyous voice (Overlaps)

Voice Over:
“Is it the sound of drum, or is it the heart beats of our Princess – that we heard!”

Hearing the sound, Yasodara turns round.
The maids are seen now.

The second maid in a teasing tone,
The second maid:

"What! The patient here has only wished the thing and the God above has brought to her. What else do we want dear?”

Yasodara blushes.
Yasodara:
“You get away, maid. Why mock at me?

The second maid:
“What’s there to feel shy, dear? Though you’ve not seen him till now, It’s true…you’ve heard of him. Cute and loving, handsome, fond, and calm and bold! Your dear good prince, Siddhartha is an Adonis!!”

The first maid breaks into a loud laugh.
The first maid:
Hah. Hah Hah!!

Yasodara is agitated.
Yasodara:
“Why are you making fun of me like this?”

First maid:
“Making fun? Oh. No. No…But…”

Suddenly, pointing to Yasodara’s back, the first maid continues.

First maid:
“Hey, look at that side…”

A picture drawn by Yasodara – of Siddhartha..
But three fourth of it is not visible.

The second maid with surprise:
‘By mere hearing, if you can draw this picture, how deep that figure must have impressed itself in thy heart dear?!”

The first maid:
“Yes, True...”

Moving aside quickly and hiding the picture somewhat,
Yasodara (as a request):

“My dear, please don’t tell this to anyone.”

First maid:
“If we don’t tell anybody, how will you get him, dear? Haven’t you heard the Royal Command?”

Yasodara’s face… Shade of sorrow… Seeing this, and, feeling concern,

The second maid:
“All right dear! Come on now. It’s time for your bath.’

Scene-5 A small pond near a small mantap Morning

With plates in hands, servants are standing near Yasodara.
A beauty lotion made from turmeric and sandal paste is anointed on Yasodara’s face and hands and legs.

Yasodara in contemplative mood murmurs to herself….

Yasodara’s Voice Over:

"How does he look like? Will it be like the picture I’ve drawn? If he sees me, will he like me? Or will he turn his face away? He will like me. My mind tells me so. I have not seen him so far... But… the face in my heart… Those calm eyes…in my previous birth, perhaps…”

First maid’s Voice Over
”Oh Yasodara dear! What is it that you are thinking?”

Yasodara starts.
Yasodara:
Hey!

(This scene dissolves into the next scene)

Scene-6 Courtyard of Palace Day

The courtyard of the palace…
A festive atmosphere…
A dance competition is going on… Beautiful maidens take part.
A joyous crowd of people, stand, there… They are cheering.
(Old people, sick people etc., are not in the picture).
Dances…. Play of musical instruments etc.

Hands and feet red with painted juices and faces partly hidden by ‘see through’ veils and wearing fine dresses, young maidens walk with slow, graceful steps and dance beautifully.

With peaceful, dignified appearance, Siddhartha sits on the dais enjoying the dance. Near him are seated Minister Udayi, Raja guru, Nandan and others.

With shy faces, the young maidens, after their dance, walk to the dais.
People cheer up, when each maiden walks to the dais.

Having no interest in all these celebrations, sits Siddhartha with a peaceful, dignified countenance.

As the maidens come near Siddhartha, they lose the courage even to lift their faces and see him. They perspire and feel weak. Somehow they manage to come before him, receive the gift he presents and then they leave the dais with an agitated face.

Siddhartha’s calm face…
The passing group of maidens…

Udayi looks at Siddhartha and the maidens alternately.

In the tray in front lie the jewels and other items to be given as presents.
The items are getting fewer and fewer.
The maidens come one by one and go.
In the tray, the jewels and other items are almost exhausted.

The people’s voices are getting louder.
The changed emotional expressions of the Minister and the Priest..

An air of surprise…
The people become silent suddenly. (Sounds of surprise)

Walking slowly, very slowly, now comes Yasodara...
She ascends the dais in graceful steps.

All the while she says to herself,
Yasodara’s Voice Over:
‘Oh, God, give me strength!"

She comes in front of Siddhartha and stands silently, unmoved…
Slowly she lifts her face and looks.

The picture (Siddhartha’s – Scene-4) drawn by her

Yasodara’s face…
Yasodara to herself Voice Over:
Oh God! That picture!”

Siddhartha’s face…
Yasodara’s face…

Siddhartha lifts his face slowly.
As if shocked, Siddhartha’s facial expression…
He looks at her.

Yasodara also looks steadily at him.
Looking at Yasodara, Siddhartha sits as if he is down memory’s lane…

Yasodara looks with wide-open eyes at Siddhartha again and again.
Their eyes meet.

People:
“Wonderful! Amazing!! She is an angel!!!”

(The people shouting with surprise OVP)

Yasodara smiles gently.
Siddhartha also smiles.

Very slowly, softly, moving his lips, Siddhartha asks her.
Siddhartha:
“Beauty, You're very Beautiful! What’s your name…?”

Yasodara:
“What’s in a name Prince? But, hmm…I’m Yasodara.”

Siddhartha’s lips tremble.
But moving his lips (as if to himself and as if he has forgotten the surroundings)

Siddhartha murmurs:
Ya….so…da...ra…! I know this name…But…

Yasodara is looking at him.
So also is Siddhartha.

After looking at him for sometime, and passing a glance over the tray unintentionally, and looking again straight and deep into his eyes, in a mellifluous voice, Yasodara asks,
Yasodara:
“What’s your gift for me, Prince? If there’s nothing better I shall…..?

Shaking himself and sitting erect, Siddhartha smiles gently,
(He looks at the tray. It is empty…)

Siddhartha:
“No. No Sorry. Please …wait…But, Yes. To give you, in my hands…”

Swiftly, he takes the diamond ornament (Chain-the waist chain shown in scene No.2) from his neck and with trembling fingers, ties it around her waist.

Cheers from the crowd.
They dance dearly.

Minister, Rajguru, Nanda etc. are happy.

Yasodara’s face…
As if blessed she stands.

(The loud applause and shouts of delight of the people can be heard.)
The people dance merrily….