A Classic Art

By Sukumar Ruj

After about twenty minutes Dibya reached the two storied yellow house. Sadiqe Bhai had given the instructions to reach so clearly that there was no need to ask for instructions of any sort. At the entrance of the house Dibya hesitated a little. Then he pressed down on the calling bell switch. There was no sound of the bell ringing and neither was there supposed to be. He had found out from Sadeque Bhai that the bell did not ring; only the lights came on. The owner of the house Bhagirath Joardar was not very enamoured of noise. The house also had a few other norms like this. The glass paned windows were never kept open. The calling bell facing the front gate was never in use. It was kept locked all the time. It was opened only when required and closed immediately afterwards. Instead of calling it a home, Bhagirath Babu called it a workshop. This was despite the fact that he lived in the house. Training was provided here. That is why the noise of the calling bell was made as redundant as possible. 

In a very short while there was the sound of the inner door opening. Emaciated boys poked out his head and asked – Who do you, want to speak to? 

Dibya answered – Tejpal.

The boy then spoke in natural tones – Please wait while I wait and ask Guruji.

The boy locked the door and moved inside. 

Dibya’s face brightened. The first stage of the operation was successfully completed. The operation would now have to be conducted with a lot of care. It would have to be done exactly as Barobabu had said. Though Sadeqe Bhai had betrayed the party, he had not misbehaved with them. According to his instructions, the code language was of use, it seemed so to him. He had heard from Barobabu – Sadeque Bhai had said Guruji’s code name ‘Etelmati’. This code name was apparently very secretive and changed every month. 

No entry was possible without it. Dibya followed the man into a large room. There were a few chairs laid out and some had cushions laid out. The boy said takes your seat on any chair and wait. Guruji will be here within five minutes.

Dibya took a seat where he sat.  As he sat, by force of habit, his hands went to his waist. He bolstered his feelings. Then he started looking around. There was a centre table amongst all the chairs. There were a few framed pictures on the wall. Dibya could not see any familiar picture. Of the pictures, one of them was of a sahib and there was also a lady. The rest of the pictures seemed to be of Bengali men.

The room was in light and shade. There was no window in the room and only one door. Dibya was rather uncomfortable. In a short while, a slightly elderly man clad in a kind of gown, entered the room. 

It was clear to Dibya that this was Guruji.

Dibya stood up as soon as the person entered the room. Then he stepped forward and in accordance with his instructions, he respectfully greeted him. Sadeque Bhai had said – He does not accept greetings by touching his feet. He believed – Respect was shown by physical contact. 

Guruji said pleasantly – please be seated.

As soon as Dibya sat down, Guruji asked – What is your name?

Dibya immediately answered – Etelmati!

Guruji smiled mildly and said – You do not have to mention your code name now. Tell me your original name. 

What is your source?

According to what Sadeque Bhai had taught him, he answered – Rafique Mian.

How were you introduced to him?

Actually, Dibya did not even know Rafique Mian. That is why he was a bit dumbstruck. Sadeque Bhai had instructed him not to mention his name. He said that if the situation was such, to make up some name. 

So, Dibya said – In the station platform.

One day in the evening I was waiting at the platform, as soon as the train arrived, I would take a leap in front of it. One train passed by. I did not have the guts to take a leap. On the verge of jumping in front of the next train, someone firmly grasped my hand. The intimacy gradually grew. His name was Rafique Mian. 

Guruji spoke up – Why were you going to commit suicide? Were you jilted in love or the agony of being jobless?

It is both – Being without a job is the cause of this kind of desperation. I am disgusted with this kind of life. After hearing all this Rafique Mian suggested I get in touch with you. He suggested finding admission in the workshop. If I could imbibe the training properly, the earning would apparently be remarkable. That is why I have approached you.

It is fine that you have come, but you will not be able to learn this art.

Why not Guruji?

You have failed in the first test to gain entrance. 

There were marks of amazement on Biswa’s face – exam! Bu7t as yet there has been no…!

You have... you have! Unknowingly you have sat for an exam. You were asked to choose any chair to take a seat. You chose a plush sofa. Thus, it is clear that there is an inherent desire in you for comfort and luxury. There is no place for comfort in this organization. Tolerance to hardship is imbibed here. I am not rejecting you immediately. 

Dibya moved to another chair – Indeed Guruji, is not that I want to return either. I want to learn this art. Guruji stared searchingly at Dibya. Then he smiled mildly and said – You must know that the lawn looks in askance at this kind of activity. If caught you might be lynched. 

Dibya said to himself – A damn knowing sinner!  You are aware of everything that goes on. But you are sending young girls and boys to the dogs. Today itself I will deal with you. However, on the face of it he said – I know Gurudev, but why will I be apprehended? If one can learn the art properly ….

The right tenacity is needed for everything. It is particularly applicable in this type of work. 

Dibya thought - this was all sheer rubbish.

Guruji continued to speak – It is not just art, this is fine arts, it requires subtlety. It all stops after reaching the age of nineteen-twenty. There are plenty of famous people in other spheres. But this is a renowned art. The picture of a gentleman with a hat – who is he?

Dibya looked up at the picture and affirmed that he did not know him.

Guruji said – He is James Friedman from London. He pulled a fast one on the Mayor of London. He is an important figure in Time Management. Take note of another gentleman with him. He is David Avedon. Our business has been taken to a very simple level. You cannot even imagine the scenario. I am no better than a worm compared to him.

Scoundrel! In the guise of Guruji he is creating trash. 

But, how did he get all this information?

He mustered up courage and asked – Tell me Guruji, how did you come to know about them?

Smiling knowledgeably and stroking his beard Guruji said – You have to have the knowledge. In our outfit here, along with them, there have been write-ups in the Bengali papers. That Man David conducted numerous shows on television day after day. In addition, he had also written books. The book was probably named ‘Parting up touches.’ 

Dibya could not stifle his amazement – apparently even books had been written on the subject. Exactly, that is why it is being called an art. But this is a secret knowledge. It is not meant for everybody to know. That is why I do not support thus book writing.

Why is that Guruji? There are numerous books on other art forms. Since this is regarded as art, reading will surely enhance knowledge.

Try and understand! After reading the book, the average man will come to know about secret machinations. That will cause a great deal of inconvenience.  Besides, it is not all that easy to delve into this art. The hand in the blade is the real art. Dibya no longer enjoyed listening to these longwinded lectures. At the same time, from the hip pocket, there was a periodic buzzing. It was surely Barobabu trying to get in touch. He surely wanted to know how far the work had progressed. 

Dibya festered in his mind! This is no piddling amount! One has to be patient if one has to be snared the catch. That is a prime goal after getting a job. 

When Guruji paused to catch his breath, Dibya took the opportunity to speak – I have come to you to learn the right manner of using the blade.

Have you given a serious thought to joining this profession?

Yes, Guruji!

Then take out a one-rupee coin and put it on the centre table. Rummaging through his purse Dibya found a two-rupee coin. Immediately it was put on the centre table. There was a sound on the table. 

Guruji nodded and said – You gave also failed in this exam. 

It was unclear to Dibya the manner in which he has failed. Was it because he had placed a two-rupee coin instead of one rupee? 

Guruji said your hand and fingers are not in your control. Why was there sound when you placed the coin? The ability to work silently is of the essence in our work. I have read in the papers that in South America, in the capital California, I have read in the capital Bogota, there is a similar institution. That is called the seven-hour institute. Mentors secreted in their pockets seven bells. If without any kind of intimation or noise they could be extracted, it was counted as passing the test.

Dibya thought – Guruji has learnt to spout quite fluently as a guru!

In a short while arrangements would be made to shut him up.

Even if this kind did not take place, some other arrangement would definitely be made. Once the admission took place here, all issues would be resolved. 

Though you have failed the first two exams, I am thinking of admitting you. Do you know the reason! Your eagerness and desire, No one ones to become a master of this trade, taking the help of these means, earning through these means is much easier. But where is the art there! This art is very subtle.

Dibya suppressed his agitation and spoke softly – Yes, it is truly art that is what Rafique Mian had said. But, why are you calling it art! If you could explain that a little, actually, ever since childhood I have always wanted to be an artist.

Really! Then, take this as an art, you will be successful.

Is that so! Then regard this as a work of art. You will be successful. You can see the portrait of a woman on the wall. She is my godmother. Her house was in Halisahar, Bhatnagar. She was an outstanding artist. Atop a glass full of water, a coin kept on thick paper; it would easily be picked up. Not even a drop of water was spilled. This is still not possible for me. 

Dibya acknowledged what was said, but did not speak. 

Guruji continued to speak – A blade would to be placed and a cut has been made. The piece of cloth will be cut, but no damage would be pumpkin and an incision made in that manner. A cut will be made, but not a scratch should be seen on the vegetables. This is a very subtle art!  This is just an example that I am giving. There are so many other elements. If one is to learn all this, there are many other nuances that haven to be taken into account.

Is this all really true! Truly, Dibya was not enjoying all this blathering. All the conversation went into the voice recorder. But there was no such talk, that he would fall into a trap; to depend on all this conversation, a case of arresting, might be on the cards. There was no veritable proof as such. In the course of conversation, he did not allude even once as to what was the art that was taught here. He just talked about art. On the other hand Barobabu was becoming impatient.  Armed they had surely reached the house. Feeling uncomfortable Dibya spoke up –Guruji, I urgently need to use the toilet.

Guruji pressed a switch on the wall. There was no sound. Almost immediately, that slender boy appeared. Guruji gestured to Dibya and said – bathroom!

Dibya entered the bathroom and after closing the door took out the mobile from his pocket. He quickly wrote a message and sent it off. Then he had a wash and stepped out.

On coming out of the bathroom, Dibya found that Guruji was not there. He looked in askance at the thin man; he said – Please take your seat, he will be here right away. 

Guruji arrived after a short while. There was irritation writ large on his face. He kept muttering under his breath. Dibya was scared about whether he had been caught out. 

Guruji was visibly irritated – I am talking of the Tenia. Among the youth of today, there is no eagerness as regards work. It is also to see that the work is done properly.

You’ll are being trained, but it is also necessary to see that the work is done properly. There seems to be a thought of being extremely erudite. They do not seem to understand that. The focus that a shoe repair man shows for his work … Those people do not have even that much! You might notice that after a man has driven a nail into the shoe, he tests it by putting his finger inside. This is to test whether the nail has been driven in properly. This denotes love for one’s work. But what do my followers do? After the operation, taking out the money-bag, they tug and throw out the money bag. However, what do my followers do! After the operation, taking out all the goods, they forcibly discard the money bag. The possibility of it constraining important bills, phone numbers or ATM cards is always there. One ought to five thoughts to a certain matter – our real goal is to extract money from the target. Except for a temporary discomfort, there was no other issue. 

Dibya was amazed at what Guruji said. He would be He would be honest and kindly. How was it possible to be so kindly?

Why will it not be possible? 

The people who do this work, are they not human? Honesty, 

Responsibility trust – these are all human qualities. But you know what the tragedy is? These days however, human values have completely died out. This might be in the case of a pickpocket or a highly erudite personality. Now it is difficult to pinpoint who is not a pickpocket. The entire world is full of pickpockets. The stronger countries are taking advantage of the weak ones. The leaders of the country are exploiting the weaker segments. Owners are exploiting the workers. There are pickpockets all around. But there are no norms that are followed.

Dibya curiously asked – Tell me, are rules and regulations obeyed in this trade? 

Definitely rules have to be followed. If the pockets are cut of some poor person; if they raise a hue and cry, or trust is hampered, it can happen anywhere; in a wily manner they return the money. It was observed that any person after pilfering the money, the condition that resulted was apparent.

How will it be returned? If one goes to return it, there are chances of being lynched.

There are a lot of norms to follow. A member of the group acting as a policeman said ‘I know all the limpers here! Come with me to the police station.’ Let me see whether a rescue is possible or not. Then he was moved from the others and made to stand elsewhere. After being in a flurry it was said, he was close and had nabbed him. 

This means a loss for you’ll.

That might be, but it does not suffice to retain that attitude always. All this time that I have spent on you; even then I am still continuing. Do you know the reason, which has been recorded because of you, will be passed on to Barobabu. If this brings about a little sense!

Dibya leaped up. 

Guruji smiled mildly and said – Sit down young man, there is no need to be flustered. While you were in the toilet, I talked to Barobabu. That man is very wily. In that manner he tried to pick up sundries. After returning to the police station, the painful manner in which you caught Sadique Bhai … Let a few more days go by, you will observe the changes that take place, you will become a classic pickpocket.

By Sukumar Ruj