Dread Departure_Bhaurao/Rama

 (e-content developed by Dr N A Jarandikar)

Bhaurao:

Bhaurao is a main character in the play ‘The Dread Departure’. He is a middle-aged man. He is from a middle-class family. The play begins with a death of Bhaurao. His wife Rama, at first, is not ready to accept his death. All the neighbours gather to take Bhaurao to the crematorium. When Bhaurao’s son, Nana returns from a tournament, all of them take Bhaurao to the crematorium. But there they come to know that the place is closed. The watchman informs them that a new electric crematorium has been started. But Bhaurao tells Nana that it is last wish that he should be cremated in the old crematorium. The reasons for Bhaurao’s strange wish are as follows:

i.             Bhaurao believes that he should be cremated in the place where his forefathers were cremated.

ii.           In the old crematorium, there are a number of temples. A river flows near to the crematorium. So, it is holy place.

iii.          Bhaurao dislikes the idea of cremation in the electric furnace.

Bhaurao returns with Nana to the home. There he stays on the loft for more than fourteen days. His body starts to rot and stink. But still he insists on his wish to be cremated in the old crematorium. Finally, Nana manages somehow, and through black marketing Bhaurao is cremated in the old crematorium. Thus, his death wish is fulfilled.

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Rama:

Rama is a main character in the play ‘The Dread Departure’. She is the wife of Bhaurao. She is about forty-five years old. She is an attractive woman. Nana is her son. When Bhaurao tells her that he is dead, at first, she doesn’t believe him. She thinks that Bhaurao is making fun of her. But then she realizes the truth. She accepts the death of Bhaurao. The subplot of the play deals with Rama and the mysterious ‘third-from-the left’. It appears that Rama has fallen in love with the stranger. She doesn’t know his name or other details. She has seen him only once at the time of the funeral of Bhaurao. The stranger is standing in a third row from the left in the funeral. The stranger is wearing a suit and dark glasses. Nana suspects his mother. With the help of Bhaurao, Nana tries to search for the third-from-the left. But they did not find anyone. It is clear that Rama has created this stranger out of her imagination. She was yearning for a handsome man to be her husband. Her unfulfilled desire is expressed through this stranger. Thus, Rama represents the typical middle-class housewife who lives all through her life suppressing her wishes and desires.

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