Three

Abstract

“O the radiant queen! Consort of the lord! May your children live long! May God grant you abundance! May Allah bring you good fortune and high status! May you live long!” This is Raji mrasan¹, the old maid. She had once lived in this very kothi and served the younger Sardarni. When the Sardarni prepared for her bath, she would insert the cord into her salwar², hang up the clothes in the bathroom, see that the soap and towel were in place, and mix hot with cold water. After the bath, she would spread the wet towel on the line to dry, put the soiled clothes in the laundry basket and attend to other minor chores. Later as the Sardarni sat at her dressing table, Raji would comb her hair long and slowly. After combing and arranging the Sardarni’s hair, she would braid it with a matching ribbon studded and tasselled with real pearls.