Original subtitles

ISHANOU

"THE CHOSEN ONE"

Grandma!

Oh, so you have come, child'. Come here my little one!

- Who bought you these bangles? - Papa.

- And these dolls too? - Yes

- He bought two? - Yes.

- He bought the dress too? - Yes

It looks nice'.

Daughter, have you got everything you need?

Yes Mother, we'll pick up the rest here.

Fine.

Are the invitation cards ready?

Yes, Mother.

Fine then!

- Here, take them along. - Come, Bembem, let's go.

Go, go! Go with your father.

Take these catfish, too. Cook them with bamboo shoots.

Yes, Mother.

How fortunate you are, sister, to have such a nice son-in-law.

So handsome and dignified, too.

Is his family coming for Bembem's ear-piercing ceremony?

Why wouldn't they come, sister?

Though they are coming from Cachar which is quite far.

But they did say they'd come...

When did you say the ceremony is?

The third day after the new moon, on Monday.

You must all come.

I'll never speak to you again, if you don't.

Mother, here's your dinner.

Not for me. I don't feel like eating.

- Isn't Bembem going to be fed? - No, she had too much kheer.

Yes, yes. Fine!

I was afraid Bembem would cry, but she was so brave.

I couldn't bear to look while her ears were being pierced.

She is a woman now, after all.

The thought of wearing gold must have made it bearable.

So many people turned up.

I only wish my sister-in-law from Cachar had been here today.

She had promised a gold necklace for Bembem.

She always wanted to adopt Bembem as she has no daughter of her own.

Should we give our Bembem to her? Think of the gold she'd wear!

Give her away, then!

All you think of is gold!

Let me put the child to bed.

Bembem...

Come, Bembem. Let's go to sleep with grandma.

My good grandchild! Come, sleep with grandma.

Are you asleep?

- You vicious man! - Quiet, Mother will hear!

Let her hear!

Bembem! Bembem'.

Papa!

- Mother, where's Tampha? - I'm waiting for her myself.

She left to go fishing quite some time ago.

- God knows what she's doing. - I'll go and call her.

Oh, my goodness! What a prank to play!

Let me see how many you've caught!

Oh, so many!

Mother is waiting to go to the market.

I have something important to talk to you about.

What's so important? Can't I even fish in peace?

Let's go, I'll tell you as we walk.

You are pestering me.

- Tombi! - Sister!

Please look after my net. I'll be back soon.

Yes, sister.

About the scooter, I've found a really good one.

The owner's in a hurry...

he's asking ten thousand rupees. We can talk him down one or two...

But he wants the money within the week.

Older brother came over, and brought Bembem's photographs.

We can withdraw the fund money after six months, he said.

No, we can't wait that long.

Shall we ask Mother, then?

No. How can we possibly ask her?

She spent so much on the ear-piercing ceremony.

Then let's ask her to pawn my gold necklace.

- Elder sister! - Good, you have come.

Sit here for a while.

I want to borrow some money from our saving fund.

- How much do you need? - Only about six thousand...

Sister, what do you need it for?

I want to buy a scooter for my son-in-law.

Tampha, that silly girl, asked me to pawn her necklace.

She thinks now that she's married she's too clever.

My good son-in-law respects me,

he wouldn't even dream of asking me for anything.

I gave Tampha such a scolding.

She's still sulking because she can't pawn her necklace.

- What will you eat Bembem? - Orange.

Look, how beautiful it is! We should have brought Bembem.

- When shall we go? - Where?

What do you mean, where? To our home, in Cachar.

I don't think I can get any leave.

I don't care, Bembem and I must go.

Sister-in-law has already messaged for us to come.

- Then you go with Bembem. - Your old game again!

How strange! That flower is calling me'.

Ingellei, flower of the lofty heights

To see you wilt before your time

Sad is the heart of the poet

It is no fault of mine

Who could face the icy hand of the wind?

It is no fault of mine

Fragile and delicate as you are

Who would not love to tease you to death?

Look, your parents are back.

Mama!

Papa!

Bembem, take this.

- What happened? Is she ill? - She is feeling a little dizzy.

- Shall we call a doctor? - No need.

- Mother, are you sick? - No, dear.

- Where are my bangles? - Here they are.

- And my dolls? - I forgot, I'll buy one next time.

What a pretty flower! Who picked it for you?

Grandma.

I'm just going over to your aunt Loidang's.

I'll get the child's dress, too, from Laishram's.

- Where are going, Bembem? - Going out with grandma.

Off to the big pool? You said you weren't well.

I'm okay now.

Dhanabir!

The postman left this yesterday. Should be from your head office.

- This is my promotion order! - How wonderful!

We can celebrate with a cup of tea now. Where is Tampha?

She went to fetch some water. I'll call her.

I was only joking, we can have the tea any time.

Of course, we must have tea now. Please wait, I'll be back soon.

Tampha, come up!

Come up, I've got my promotion order'.

Come up!

Tampha! Older brother is also waiting, don't be childish.

Tampha, come up!

Have you gone mad? Come up'.

Are you crazy? Come up!

Are you crazy?

The paper will be soaked, why do you act crazy!

Let's go, come on.

Come on, let's go.

Tampha, so you are going to be a lady now.

Goddess Panthoibi!

Older brother.

Please, have a seat.

I slipped and fell in.

I'll change and follow.

Older brother, why are you sitting there?

- It's okay. - Please, come.

Where will you be posted?

I have no idea. I'm just happy with the promotion.

Two junior colleagues have already replaced me.

They told me to file a case, but what's the use?

As for the posting, I'll know when I report to head office.

- Papa! - Come dear.

- Kanto, you're here too. - Yes.

We are celebrating Dhanabir's promotion.

Oh, I'm so happy. Have you had some tea?

Yes, it's getting late for school, allow me to leave.

I found this fish going so cheap that I couldn't resist.

Cook some now.

Keep the rest for my grandchild.

Oh, what a wedding arrangement at your aunt Loidang's!

So many gifts!

Such a big party for a promotion. I had to sneak away.

The others are still enjoying themselves.

Tampha has gone to bed. She wasn't feeling well.

Come and eat your dinner.

No, Mother, I've eaten quite a lot already.

Who's there?

Tampha!

Tampha! Oh my child!

Tampha!

Mother, I'll go for a doctor.

No, wait it's almost morning. We should consult a Maiba.

Are you okay, sir?

I'm fine.

Your signature.

I'll go home early. Tampha is not well.

What's wrong with her?

I don't know exactly.

I'll be in the office, sir.

Why are you here? You said you were unwell

I just came to pick up something. Let's go.

Tampha!

Tampha!

Give her the medicine regularly.

Bring her back after a week. She should be okay.

We will take your leave, Doctor.

Okay.

Sister, let's go.

Doctor!

Could it be better for her if she is treated outside Manipur?

She should be all right if she takes her medicine regularly.

Patients with such problems, usually resist medicine.

Be sure she takes them.

You can, if you wish, take her out somewhere else.

Older brother...

I'd like to take Tampha to be looked at elsewhere.

Could you help me sell my scooter in the next couple of days?

Older sister! Where are you going?

I'm off to Gopal to consult him about Tampha's horoscope.

How is she? Is she better?

I don't understand, I see no signs of improvement.

My son-in-law has consulted practically every doctor here.

- I really don't know what to do. - Sister, wait a minute.

You should consult one of our Maibas.

There's one from Sugunu...

Thambou... he will be able to cure her, I think.

Gallop! Gallop!

Tampha!

My horse ran away!

Why did you let it go?

Tampha!

My horse is gone!

Give me my horse back!

Let me go!

Let me fly!

Older brother, I'm going for the doctor.

Oh Maibi, speak out! Mother is with you.

Can't you see the termite hill growing in your house?

Perform the rituals.

Let me fly, let me go!

Let me go!

What happened?

Give me some water.

Let me go.

She is quiet now. She will be okay.

- I shall go now. - Yes, doctor.

She'll be quiet now. Don't worry.

If she starts again... give her this every six hours.

Call me if necessary.

- I'll go now. - After you.

Mother, where is Bembem?

She's at Kanto's. I'll go and get her.

Feeling better?

Give me some water.

Don't cry.

Don't cry... everything will be okay.

Come, don't cry anymore.

I'm so tired...

So tired...

You'll be fine.

- Please make me well. - You are going to be well.

Don't cry.

You'll be okay.

- Where is Bembem? - Sleeping with Mother.

We are leaving Manipur for your treatment.

- Let's take Bembem too. - Yes, of course.

Get some sleep now, it's getting very late.

Tampha!

- Dhani! - Mother guru.

Bring some tairen leaves, pungphai grass and some water.

Sprinkle some on your little sister.

My daughter, open your eyes.

Dhani, take your little sister inside.

Mother, did a young woman come here?

- Yes, my son. - She is from our area.

- Please let us take her home. - I know.

She has been ordained to become a Maibi.

Until the Gods decide, she'll remain here.

But Mother, she has a husband and a child.

I know that.

She may leave only after the God's have decided.

Mother, will you at least allow us see her?

Dhani!

Bring your little sister here.

Tampha.

Come let's go home. Let's go home.

Tampha.

Wait, Dhanabir.

Aunty, Tampha is now at Maibi Leiren's house.

She refused to return.

Oh God, oh father, oh king! Why has this befallen me.

Papa, why is grandma crying?

O lady mother, teach me your golden language

O father, teach me your silver language

O deep earth, teach me your language of hidden depths

O ancients, teach me your language of power

The coin that falls south

means, sorrow, obstacles...

If it rolls north, it means, good fortune, prosperity...

My son, please come in.

Tampha.

Aren't you feeling better now?

Let's go home.

Let's go home.

Bembem keeps asking for you.

Mother, can't you go and try to persuade Tampha to return?

No son, I won't go.

Dhanabir... come.

Brother, I'm confused.

Listen, Dhanabir.

You have to think of the child.

It is a difficult situation.

I'd better leave now.

Wait, let us have tea.

Bembem, come.

Father guru, my little sister is here for the first time.

Sit here, next to your sister.

In the beginning gently... gently... gently

From the six tongues of mother earth

The five tongues of creation

The four directions

In the beginning gently... gently... gently

Mother'. I've come.

Mother guru, please enter.

Mother, where is Bembem?

Mother guru, this is my mother.

My sister.

This young child I suckled is now a Maibi.

She can stay wherever she pleases.

One important thing, however...

She is not to eat fish

with spiky, hornlike fins...

Certain firewoods are not to be used for cooking.

- Where are my bangles, Mother? - Here they are.

- And my dolls? - I forgot. I'll buy one next time.

Bembem...

My youngest daughter.

Mother.

It is time for Mother guru to leave.

- Mother guru, permit me to stay. - Yes, my dear.

Older sister allow me to stay.

Beloved little sister, look after yourself well.

- Mother allow me to leave. - Yes.

Mother Guru, it's time to leave.

Where is Bembem, Mother ?

Where is everybody?

Where is everybody?

Tampha!

Tampha!

Where is Bembem, Mother ?

Tampha, listen.

Bembem is well.

Aunty, myself and others decided

to send her to Dhanabir's home for schooling.

Why are you worried?

We're all here for you.

I rushed over when I heard you had returned.

We are all here for you.

You must stay with Mother.

Dear daughter.

Whatever I have done is for the good of my dear grandchild.

You are a fortunate one, blessed by the Gods.

Now you must stay with your old mother.

Tampha, where are you going at this early hour?

Older brother, I'm going to my mother guru's.

Older brother, did you meet him?

Listen, dear.

You were so distraught yesterday that I couldn't tell you.

Dhanabir waited for you, but...

we all decided to let him go with Bembem.

Aunty's only concern is for Bembem.

People believe that a Maibi's daughter will become one too.

So aunty was very concerned.

In fact, it wasn't Dhanabir's decision.

Aunty went with them and left Bembem there.

I don't want to say this, but...

Aunty desires that Bembem stay with Dhanabir,

and have no more contact with you.

Since Bembem left, Aunty hasn't been the same.

You must not leave her alone

In the evening...

the sun bends over the hills

As the flushed valley fades

The radiance of the heights opens up the lowlands

O noble tree on high

O the trees of the valley

Tell me, have you seen my beloved

The one the same as me

Tell me where my soulmate rests?

From the land where the day begins

From the east

In a bright coloured dress

His smart turban jauntily atop

On his shoulders, a staff casually held,

His home on the heights now behind him

In the approaching twilight, walking along raised pathways

In the court yard of Panthoibi

Who is he that flings sand all over

It is the God of the east

Who flings the sands because Panthoibi lives there

Noble Lord, born of human parents

From the high eastern mountains

Where, rippling, the first light brightens

How many steps have you taken yet

For its vitality and growth Bounce the infant once again

Son of the sky-father

Grow whilst the sun rises

Lengthen whilst the moon waxes

Blessing of the father

Blessing of the forefathers

Grow, grow and be tall

In the casket of gold, in the casket of silver

Let me re-embrace you, my soul I, your Soul, accept

Light dawns on the night

Morning has come

From the east

Illumination has begun its golden steps

Ha young man! 'Tis the time to lift the blinds

And uncover the winter robes

Before the Sun bears down

And the morning star strides

Arise, my Lord

Arise, O Mother!

Go and call your friend.

- Uncle, may I leave? - Yes, go.

Wait!

Is that our Bembem?

Yes.

Please give some kanghou for one rupee. Here is the coin.

Why are you in Jiri?

I'm posted here.

Bembem is here on a visit.

Doesn't she stay with you?

She's studying in Shillong. She's here for her vacation.

Do you come everyday to pick her up?

I never come for Lai Haraoba.

You married again, didn't you?

I'll go now.

Wait.

Does she know of me?

Okay then.

Let it be.

Don't tell her any more of my new life.

Let her not know of my existence.

Papa

Mother Maibi salutation to you

Shining daughter of noble birth!

Radiant gem

My love

I came tracing your footsteps But I cannot see you

Did my love go then beyond the confines of her abode

In search of fire! I cannot see her anymore!

"THE CHOSEN ONE"