Indigo: ISC Long Answer Questions – Part 2
Question 4: Explain the suitability of the title of the story.
Answer: The title “Indigo” is highly suitable for this supernatural story. The story revolves around Aniruddha Bose’s experience in a dak bungalow that holds memories of the British colonial era, particularly the exploitation associated with indigo plantations. The title “Indigo” encapsulates the essence of the historical injustice and the residual haunting presence of the past that Aniruddha encounters during his stay.
Generally, in Ray’s stories, his protagonists are simple and common person but come across some unexpected and paranormal situations which render the scenario highly exciting. In this story “Indigo” the main character is a twenty – nine year old bachelor of rational and logical thinking, who has to spend a night in a dak bungalow which belonged to an English indigo planter and experiences a paranormal happenings there which defied all logical explanation.
In this story indigo plays an important role. Indigo represents colours of greed and exploitation, sufferings of indentured labours by the English indigo planters in colonial India.
The English tax collector was lured by the lust of money. His words “I could not resist” point to his greediness. The Englishman also mentions that nobody would “shed a tear” on his demise because he has been unjust in his dealings with the indigo plantation workers who suffered a lot at his hands. He had been guilty of harassing the poor indigo plantation workers, as he wrote in his letter. Therefore indigo also represent the guilt of the English indigo planter. The Englishman was not at all at peace with himself as he had not led an honest and blameless life. His feelings of anxiety, greed, guilt and regret caused his soul to be unrested and in rattled state. This unsettled past attached with the dak bungalow created or added a supernatural element in the experience of Aniruddha Bose.
Aniruddha’s deep research into indentured indigo farming and the role of the landlords that he considered himself an expert on the topic. This made his mind so susceptible to the paranormal takeover by the indigo planter’s unrested spirit. This happens only when he stayed for the night at the Englishman’s Dak bungalow.
Aniruddha is transformed into the body of this indigo planter and gives free vent to the mind of this landlord who was respected neither in England nor in India. It is in his helplessness that he loses control on his ownself and shoots his pet Rex.
Aniruddha’s repeat of events involving the indigo planter in a “dream – like” state shows how greed, of which indigo is a symbol can ruin a person. The title “Indigo” to the story becomes relevant in this context.
Question 5: How has Satyajit Ray made his story interesting ?
Answer: Satyajit Ray is a master in the craft of telling convincing stories of supernatural phenomenon, spirits, ghosts and other paranormal activity. His stories tell tales of protagonists who are simple and common but come across some unexpected and paranormal situations which render the scenario highly exciting. His common man – protagonists like Aniruddha allows readers to immediately related to him.
The story “Indigo” is narrated in first person by Aniruddha Bose who seems to be directly addressing the readers in such a realistic and convincing way that we feel that it is possible that we ourselves are experiencing it. This makes it all the more interesting. Addressing the readers, he says “My name is Aniruddha Bose…..”, ” At this point I must tell you……..”, “This is what I wrote”.
The role of foreshadowing is also very important in the story. The choice of suitable words and phrases is so effective that they hints for the unexpected events to come is given in the very beginning of the car drive. His neighbour friend’s warning to be cautions gives the reade a foretaste of unexpected things to happen. Thunderstorm also symbolises the upcoming terror. There are other obstacles such as missing a right turn and bursting of the two tyres of the car, they give strong hints that the journey was going to be met with unexpected dangers.
The author has made use of the literary device of similes, metaphors, imagery and symbols to make the story interesting and exciting. The climax where Aniruddha transforms completely is powerfully bizarre and haunting. The twist in the plot at the end gives the story an eerie touch and leaves readers contemplating the blurring of normal and paranormal. The story is replete with Ray’s masterful use of the elements of horror and suspense which have the ability to capture the attention of the readers tell the end of the story.
Question 6 : Comment on the ending of the story.
Answer: The ending of the story “Indigo” is so unusual and impactful that it lingers in reader’s minds, leaving them unsettled and intrigued just as Aniruddha felt himself.
The ending was quite surprising and unexpected. After all this nightmarish and supernatural climax where Aniruddha was transformed into rhe English indigo tax collector, behaved abnormally and killed the per hound Rex. But when he awoke next morning everything is abruptly back to the normal. This is unexpected. He wonders if anyone would believe what happened to him while he was asleep.
Details like the repaired car and offer of tea add to the surreal effect by denying any traces of the paranormal night.
All this realistically emphasises the blurring of boundaries between normal and paranormal realms.
Thus, the ending provides a closure to this inexplicable experience but also enhance its enigmatic effect.