The Bull by Bhimnidhi Tiwari
Short Explanation:
This play satires the feudal system where human beings have lower stand to four footed animals. As well as Chakari practice, fear of monarchy without being guilty are also shown through the drama.
Characters:
- Laxminarayan Dahal – Bull doctor
- Jitman – cowherd
- Gore – cowherd
- Ranabahadur Shah – the king (23 yrs.)
Notes
- The drama starts with the Laxmi Narayan, who was the subedar, bichari, and bull doctor. He was demanding Hukkah from his wives but he was not served by them despite having 7 wives. Gore and Jitman two cowherds came to him to give a message about Bull’s death. The reason they had given is the bull has died because of diet. The bull was getting highly facilitated food than normal people get. Cowherds had to stay in straw but for the bull, there was the provision of mattresses and mosquito nets. The bull was the king’s Favorite. They were afraid of the king and they thought the king will cut their head out. Gore and Jitman were worried for their family and so does Laxmi Narayan. So, Laxmi Narayan made a plan to trick the king so that they could survive. Laxminarayan also exposed that if someone else told about the death of the Bull there would be no chance left of surviving. So he went to the palace.
- The first scene of the drama shows the pathetic condition of people of that time. People have been cared less compared to animals. And the favorite things of King shouldn’t be damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Otherwise, they could do anything to anybody. People were not allowed to speak loudly. As well the polygamy system which was prevalent in society is also shown in the drama. For the position or rank given by Kings, people used to influence the king by telling the wrongdoings of others, so that they could get the position.
- Laxmi Narayan goes to Basantapur Palace to meet King Rana Bahadur. He didn’t enter the palace but waited in the courtyard for the king’s arrival. When the king saw Laxminarayan waiting in the courtyard he came down. Laxminarayan was good at influencing people so he tries to implement his plan for saving themselves. He said that if the bull was taken to hills, it might get fine in his health and the king agreed first. He ordered Laxmi Narayan to go with the bull taking two cowherds. Laxmi Narayan was happy and he was about to leave the palace but the king came back and said if the bull got well condition after getting treatment here, why should we give him trouble? King decided to go to Gauchar. It made Laxmi Narayan sad but he could do nothing so agreed with the king and headed toward the Thulo Gauchar.
- Fear of king without doing anything wrong. Two cowherds and Laxmi Narayan didn’t kill the bull. It has died by nature or by the highly provided diet. But they were afraid of the king as if they had killed the Bull. As well we can find a twist in the drama. King has given permission for taking the bull to Hills first, but later he decided to visit and observe Male (The Bull) himself. It made the plan of Laxmi Narayan fail and he was afraid of what would happen next.
- At the start of scene 3, Gore and Jitman were afraid about the Laxmi Narayan they thought he will report everything against them and he will save himself from the king and they had to die for the death of the Bull. When they saw the king and Laxmi Narayan approaching the Gauchar, they were dangerously scared. Laxmi Narayan came before the king and ordered two cowherds to do something. Gore was ordered to wave fan and Jitman was ordered to massage the leg of the bull sir. And even they were ordered by the Laxmi Narayan not to raise their head and not to utter the bull had died. King entered and observed the bull and declared that it has died. Then, Jitman and Gore started crying as if he has lost their own family members. King asked Laxmi Narayan to console them but Laxmi Narayan said that the Bull was their favorite and he also said he could not console them. It hits the king; the king thought these people gave the best care. They presented as if they had sacrificed their family and cared for the Bull Sir. To console them king gave some tips. Jitman got 400 rupees as a tip from the king then Gore started crying more badly and he got 500 rupees as a tip. And Laxmi Narayan also said that now he went jobless after the death of the bull as he was the doctor appointed for the Bull (Male). King promised to make him something and ordered him to form rituals for the Bull’s funeral. Then Laxmi Narayan and King Rana Bahadur went out. Then Gore and Jitman exclaimed with joy that they had survived.
- This scene shows us the nature of the king, if we show more respect and love towards them and their belongings we can get tips. And it also shows that to survive in the feudal system we must act properly.
- They have done nothing but are afraid of the king. It shows the bitter reality of our history too. Where there was a monarch system with zero freedom and justice. People were more afraid of the system than the system is. Giving more priority to animals than the people of the country was present at that time.
Question Answer Section
1. Shed light on the practice of Chakari as portrayed in the play. Have you noticed this practice in your society?
-> In the play The Bull, the practice of chakari is portrayed through the characters Laxminarayan, Jitman, and Gore. They are showing as if they are obeying all the duties of the king. They are showing great respect to the king. They outsmart the King through acting and earned job and money. As they acted as if they have lived their life for the sake of King’s Bull. It makes the ceremonial king happy. They are pleading the King for getting his favour. This is the way they made king happy by giving a lot attention to king and pretending as if they are obeying the duty. They show that they were taking care of the bull by fake caring a dead bull. They just want to continue the job and promotion in their job and it was possible through giving chakari. So it is clearly shown in the drama.
I have noticed such practices in my society too. People become so helpful to the powerful people and they try to get benefit of the power biasfully.
2. What, according to the cowherds, is the reason behind the death of Male?
-> According to cowherds Jitman and Gore, the bull has died because it couldn’t digest rice, lentil, and fruits. They said the bull could digest grass. So, it died. The real reason of its death is not given in the play.
3. How do we learn that the bull is dead?
-> We learn about the bull’s death when Jitman, Gore, and Laxminarayan talked about it. These are the indications:
- Eyes of the bull were still.
- It’s tail was loose.
- It was not moving.
- It was not eating anything.
- It was not breathing.
4. How does the play "The Bull" make a satire on the feudal system?
-> Nepal’s past time is made the setting in the drama. The play used the bull as an example that the humans of Nepal were less cared to a pet of the King. It shows the poverty of Nepal and Chakari system that ruined the Monarchy of Nepal. In the drama a bull (an animal) is getting well care for the sake of king. Which tries to show the condition of humans below animals.
5. How did Laxminarayan outsmart the king?
-> Laxminarayan outsmarted the king by making an act. He was gone to convince the king to take Male (the sick bull) to Hills to change climate. Even though the bull was already dead he did not admit that it is dead.
When king himself came to check the bull. He ordered Jitman and Gore to act as if the bull is not dead and they are trying to care it at maximum height. When the king declared the bull death they acted and cried inconsolably to prove that they cared too much but could not save the bull. Laxminarayan acted too by preparing extra medicines. In this way, Laxminarayan outsmarted the king Ranabahadur in the play.
6. Sketch the character of Laxminarayan.
-> Laxminarayan Dahal was the appointed bull doctor. He works as Bichari and Subedar. He knows that the bull has died. He was afraid of the king so he made a plan to save their life and outsmart king.
He goes to meet king and persuaded his saying he is taking bull to hills to cure it better. But the king decides to visit the shed himself. Laxminarayan enters the cowshed before king and implements the plan. He orders Jitman to massage feet of the bull and Gore to wave fan. King tries to make the bull eat but found the bull dead. Then all 3 started acting and crying as if they have lost their precious person. They showed the king that they have loved the bull ‘Male’ a lot and tried to make him survive but couldn’t make it happen. King rewards them and orders for its funeral. In this way Laxminarayan outsmarts the king and saves lives.
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