Act One
Scene One
(Delhi Ganesh is seated at the main hall of his house. There is a knock on the door)
DELHI GANESH – Who is that?
BROKER: Broker..broker..come with a marriage proposal
DELHI GANESH (Goes and opens the door): Come in ..come in
BROKER: Was not sure if you’d be here. Anyway I am happy I could meet you
DELHI GANESH: What’s up?. Another new proposal?
BROKER: Ah yes, a very suitable good match for both your sons Ajith and Vinith
DELHI GANESH: How many times you have been bringing alliances, but nothing seems to be working out. I only keep spending money for horoscopes and your expenses
BROKER: What can we do Chettiar? You know your situation very well. You have so many properties, shops, rents and all; but still getting your sons married is being difficult.
DELHI GANESH: That’s why I am spending money on brokers like you
BROKER: What to do Chettiar; your sons Ajith and Vinith are lookalike twins. Although Ajith is a Class one revenue officer, he is dumb. The other son Vinith is a irresponsible fellow and free roaming fellow as you know. So it would take time for everything to get set. You need to be patient Chettiar.
DELHI GANESH: Yes. What else can I do?. Kamala delivered these twins and left the world thirty years back. All these years, I’ve raised them up all alone. I didn’t marry again, just for the sake of my sons.
BROKER: I can bring good alliances for Vinith, that is not difficult. Although he is not employed he is assisting you in rent collection and managing your shops. But then he insists that he would only marry when Ajith’s marriage is also fixed. You know, getting a bride for Ajith isn’t easy.
DELHI GANESH: But of course we need to fix alliances for both of them. Vinith understands that it’s difficult to get a bride for Ajith. That’s why he has no conditions or expectations for his own bride. So the problem now is only fixing an alliance for Ajith. Vinith’s marriage would not be a problem.
BROKER: And another important thing Chettiar; I had asked you for the shop on the third street. I have two lakh rupees ready and can even pay you the amount tomorrow.
DELHI GANESH: Oh, so you have come here with a proposal for the shop; not for my sons.
BROKER: No..no..I have come with both
DELHI GANESH: Look here… like I’ve already told you. I can’t give you the shop on a lease for two lakh rupees. There are people ready to pay me over one and a half lakh as an advance itself.
BROKER: Come on Chettiar..don’t treat me like anyone else. The shop is only for my brother-in-law.
DELHI GANESH: Alright try and fix marriages for Ajith and Vinith and I’ll consider giving the shop to your brother-in-law
(The door opens and Vinith and his friend Vivek enter)
VIVEK: Hello uncle
DELHI GANESH: Come, come Vivek how are you?
VIVEK: Fine uncle
VINITH: (looking at the broker) So I think you’ve brought another proposal
BROKER: Ah yes; we were just discussing that
VIVEK: My parents too are looking for a bride for me. You have any suitable brides with you now, for me to see?
BROKER: I don’t carry these brides with me wherever I go, not that I cannot carry them; but their parents wouldn’t allow it
(Delhi Ganesh and Vinith laughs)
VIVEK: Ha..ha…he…he…nice joke…nice joke. What I meant was any photographs with you…passport size..post card size…side view…front view, only for my parents to see. But there is one condition, the girl should be capable of understanding me very well
DELHI GANESH: That won’t be a problem at all. The temple priest has warned you against chatting with girls inside the temple. The new tea stall owner has said, he wouldn’t give you any more credit. And most importantly your father; he says that if he had an offer to exchange you for a donkey; he wouldn’t hesitate for a minute. So if these people can understand you, a girl should understand you very easily (He goes inside).
VIVEK: (Looking at Vinith) Very, very insulting
BROKER: What is your caste?
VIVEK: I think it’s Vaishnavi..I mean Vaishnav
BROKER: Where are you working?
VIVEK: Should be joining as a PRO in Chennai Port soon, in another five months..December 7 to be precise
(Vinith looks surprised)
BROKER: Oh..good…very good. It’s finalized and for sure, isn’t it?
VIVEK: Not exactly..it could change too…Just taken the written exams, have another optional paper, interviews and other things. But if all goes well, then as per their schedule, I should be joining on December 7.
BROKER: One small advice to you..don’t tell anyone that I told you this. Ask your parents to get you married within three months
VIVEK: Why?..the brides would all run away after that?
BROKER: The government is bringing in a new law. After three months, unemployed, irresponsible men need to get collector’s permission to marry. You would need to produce an eligibility certificate to marry.
VIVEK: That shouldn’t be a problem. I have contacts in collector’s office; I can get any certificate.
BROKER: Oh! So then it’s not a problem for you
DELHI GANESH: (Enters again) Vinith go have your lunch
VINITH: (Looking at the broker) Like I’ve told you earlier, I will marry only when Ajith’s marriage is also finalized. I have no other conditions or expectations from my bride (Vinith and Vivek go inside)
BROKER: I came here to tell you of a very good proposal, I have with me. Both your sons would be married soon. There are two sisters, also twins like Ajith and Vinith. And the coincidence here is that one of the girls is dumb too. Right now they’ve gone to their native Trichy and would be back next week. I’ll confirm and let you know.
DELHI GANESH: Good. Hope they are of our caste too.
BROKER: Of course, you think I’ll just bring anything and try to finish it off?
DELHI GANESH: No..no…just asked. Hope this proposal works for my sons.
BROKER: Just wait and see; and don’t forget the shop for my brother-in-law