Durgapur, West Bengal
Bihu’s father is a Forest Officer in the Forest Range of Bankura district. He lives with his family in the government forest bungalow in Simlapal. Bihu is his only son. Bihu’s father, Basanta Ray, doesn’t want his son to be limited to the mechanical world of video games and computers. He wants his son to be closely connected with every aspect of the environment.
Bihu’s best friend is Chiku Munda from the Santal village. Actually, Chiku’s mother works as a cook in Bihu’s house, and that’s how Bihu and Chiku became friends. Chiku always roams around with a bow and arrow. Bihu warns him—"Chiku, don’t use that weapon to kill the birds of the forest."
Chiku replied—"No, Bihu da, I just practice my aim on stones."
Bihu, surprised, asked—"Why don’t you use your thumb while shooting arrows?"
"We Santals never use it. Do you remember Eklavya? His master asked for his thumb, and he cut it off. He belonged to our tribe, and that’s why we follow this tradition."
In response, Bihu said—"I read in the story of the Mahabharata that this was done to prove Arjuna as the greatest warrior. It was extremely unfair."
Chiku replied—"We still feel sorrow for his pain."
A guest came to visit Chiku’s house, Burang, who comes from a remote village in Meghalaya. He doesn’t speak in human languages but communicates by whistling like birds.
Chiku conveys his thoughts to Burang through gestures. Burang, like a monkey, can swing from one tree to another. Chiku is skilled in this too. Seeing their special abilities sometimes amazes Bihu. One day, Burang came to Bihu’s house along with Chiku. Seeing the computer, Burang got excited and initially tried to convey through gestures that it was something to be feared, like a different world. Gradually, Bihu held his hand and showed him that it was like a tame pet, that Bihu works on it, and it obeys. Soon, Burang started using the computer himself, and laughed heartily at whatever he saw. Although Bihu’s mother, Chitra, liked this sight, she warned Bihu:
"Be careful, don’t let the computer get damaged by all that random pressing."
Burang understood the gesture, so it didn’t take him long to grasp her warning. In one leap, he went outside the house. Chiku followed him out, calling Bihu along. Chiku enthusiastically said, "Want to go see the king, Bihu da?"
Bihu laughed at his ignorance and said, "Come on, there are no kings in our country anymore! Our country is democratic. The leaders are chosen through elections."
Chiku said, "This isn’t that kind of king. He’s a descendant of the old kings. It’s a festival that unites our community. We celebrate ‘Chhata Porob.’ We make umbrellas with white cloth at the top of sal wood poles, then decorate them with flowers. The king comes dressed up for this festival. There’s a fair too. Nowadays, this king is a primary school math teacher."
At the thought of seeing the king and the fair, Burang did a few somersaults in excitement. Meanwhile, one day, Bihu visited Chiku’s village and joined them for a picnic. Along with rice, there was roasted pork cooked over a wooden fire.
At first, Bihu was too scared to eat it, but when Chiku seasoned it with spices, Bihu tasted it and realized it was like their version of barbecue. Bihu never mentioned eating this kind of food at home. On the day of the ‘Chhata Porob,’ Chiku wore a new outfit according to their tradition. Seeing him, Bihu also wore a new outfit that he had kept for Durga Puja. Despite searching everywhere, they couldn’t find Burang. Standing in the festival ground, they waited for the royal procession. Suddenly, they saw Burang walking next to the king, Arun Singh Deo, dressed in royal attire. However, Burang wasn’t wearing the same attire as the king; his was the royal dress of the tribal people of Meghalaya. Chiku remembered, "Oh! Burang belongs to the royal family of the tribal people of Meghalaya. That’s why hearing about kings must have stirred his royal blood."
Luckily, the organizers enjoyed Burang’s antics and included him in the procession. A beautiful umbrella was held over his head as well. His face glowed with an extraordinary simplicity and radiance. His hair was tied with silver thread, and he wore a waistbelt. Chiku was overwhelmed with joy, seeing his friend being treated like a king. Bihu also enjoyed Burang’s behavior. Suddenly, Chiku and the others, forgetting time and place, cheered, "Long live King Burang!"
Burang, too, acted as if he were a real king. But then the volunteers moved Burang aside and said, "You’ve had enough fun, now go home."
Poor Burang didn’t know that his reign as king would be so short-lived. He tore off his garland and let out a wild cry before dashing off. Bihu and Chiku ran after him, shouting, "Hey king, stop! Stop! We’re telling you to stop!"