Bajirao Mastani Review – The cursed life of a courtesan!
Before relating the story let me give you a short background of both the characters – Bajirao and Mastani.
About Mastani-
Daughter of a Hindu king – known for his womanising tendencies (a debauch basically) and a Muslim courtesan. In spite of being born to a courtesan, Mastani was lucky enough to be born in a rich and affluent environment and thus was trained in horse-riding and even weaponry. Also because daughters spend more time with the mothers, she followed Muslim prayers and rituals – like read namaz etc. Of course being with mother – an ex-courtesan – she probably picked up many nuances that courtesans use to rope in male clients. She learnt dancing and singing and playing musical instruments as well – yup – a mighty versatile lady – being exposed to so many things and also given the freedom to learn so much!
About Bajirao – Born in a Brahmin family but trained as a warrior. He took over as the Peshwa (Minister) and was known to have won many battles by virtue of his war strategies and sharp intelligence.
How they met and invited their doomsday!
The enemies are always aware of the weaknesses of those kings who they are about to attack. Mastani’s father – a frivolous debauch was an easy prey! When the Moguls threatened to take over the kingdom, Mastani approached Bajirao to help her father. Bajirao helps her…and forgets all about her. She tries to subtly seduce him with her ‘typical courtesan’ nuances – but nevertheless he leaves her and reaches his territory …to be welcomed by his wife.
Like mother, like daughter (courtesan’s blood after all – they thrive on rich and affluent males for a living) – Mastani packages herself up as a gift (saugaat) and reaches Bajirao’s territory. Mastani’s parents did not stop her much – the king was not much interested also – after all she was his concubine’s daughter – they don’t bother much about them! Mastani, being a follower of Islam – did not see any harm in marrying an already married man – in their religion, a male is allowed to marry 4 times in one life time – so from Mastani’s point of view – she was doing the right thing.
Mastani’s horrendous welcome at Bajirao’s territory!
The supporters and family members of Bajirao – could not tolerate the cheeky behaviour of a repackaged concubine! They were amazed at her brazen and bold approach to become Bajiroa’s wife! And thus a new phase of utter humiliation starts for Mastani! She is sent to live in a red light area among prostitutes, then she is given a dilapidated building to live in…she is given the suggestion that she should become a licensed courtesan and dance around wearing transparent cholies (blouses) to seduce males…… later she makes her presence felt and Bajirao comes to know of her arrival – he immediately makes a new palace for her and moves in with her….like sometimes he also visited his wife…but we all know that ‘experience makes perfect’ – such bold and aggressive females know a lot about ‘kamasutra postures’ – so Bajirao…a male after all – could not stay away from her charms for long!
Both wife and concubine give birth of sons. …but whereas the son born to wife is given respect and his birth is celebrated – the concubine’s son is born without any doctor’s or nurse’s aid – she was totally ostracised from Bajirao’s community!
The immense respect that people had for Bajirao slowly begins to diminish…..and he understood it pretty well too……yet he continued to support her and his son!
Revenge of the son – Nanasaheb!
At the end, Bajiroa goes to fight a war…and just as soon as he leaves his premises – his older son (born to his legally wedded wife)– Nanasaheb arrests Mastani and throws her in the prison! Mastani’s son sees the torture and humiliation of his mother but is unable to do anything about it…he was just a child after all……although one day he too would grow up and probably end the entire dynasty of Bajirao….vengeance is deadly you see!
Bajirao is badly wounded – both physically and emotionally …because his wife had severed her relationship with him…and his subjects attempted to kill his concubine in his presence also…so he knew that he would lose the love of his wife…and the lust of his concubine too!
Conclusion:
Mastani’s father was a debauch womaniser– who must have maligned many women in his life….so his DNA extension (Mastani i.e.) had to go through hell because of the sins of her father!! You see wrath of depressed and ill-treated women (prostitutes) can play havoc on your lives!
Mastani’s mother was a courtesan – the courtesans are hated by maximum common women (wives, mothers, sisters, daughters) because it is for such courtesans that men of the family ruin themselves – for free booze and women – many males can just do anything!
Women should be treated with respect – no woman should be made into an item for lust…because such sad and unloved women too become mothers and their children go through hell from early childhood! Such unloved and humiliated children later grow up to cause further decadence of the society!
Being a minister, Bajirao should have taken care of the sentiments of his subjects more and should have discarded her proposal to become his concubine! We Indians have grown up reading the Ramayana – where Shri Rama sent away his own wife to exile – in spite of agni-pariksha …that did not happen in Ayodhya though – just keeping the sentiments of his subjects on mind…! People generally follow the king and his ways. If the king is frivolous and falls in the trap of lust….what would his subjects do? In that case every male member of the society will start having a wife and couple of concubines…..how will the country progress with characterless citizens!?