Time coded transcript of FABLES OF BIRTH

1. Can't bear this pain anymore... (In 10:00:49:05 --------Out 10:00:53:00)

Commentary:

This is the land of the myriad fables of birth; this red soil has given birth to what might seem a fable to the civilized world. In this landscape as yet unravaged by human hands we witnessed that fable emerging as pure undiluted truth as we followed the journey of midwives. We followed them walking to help women deliver their babies.

2. What all is needed Manjura? (In 10:01:23:22---------Out 10:01:25:00)

3. Some twine, a coin and a blade... (In 10:01:25:22---------Out 10:01:28:10)

4. You better concentrate on taking the pictures properly... (In 10:01:30:13--------Out 10:01:33:02)

5. Hey! You there, go and fetch some water fast... (In 10:01:34:04--------Out 10:01:36:12)

6. Hey! hey... move... give me way... (In 10:01:40:07-----------Out 10:01:43:18)

Commentary:

The feisty 62-year-old Manjura is a torchbearer of this tradition.

7. Take out some mustard oil... (In 10:01:49:15----------Out 10:01:52:08)

Commentary:

According to the ancient scriptures, a pregnant woman is considered “impure” from the time she conceives till the moment she delivers. And in this system, the role of the midwife is not merely to assist in birth but to cleanse the child by taking the impurity on herself.

8. These pictures are being taken to be shown to the other part of the globe... (In10:02:11:24-----------Out 10:02:15:20)

9. how we midwives operate... (In 10:02:15:21-----------Out 10:02:18:00)

10. What else do you think is happening folks? (In 10:02:19:20----------Out 10:02:21:21)

11. How many children have you had before? (In 10:02:22:13-----------Out 10:02:24:08)

12. With this, the count goes up to three... (In 10:02:25:06-------------Out 10:02:27:20)

13. Yes... two daughters and this time it's a boy... (In 10:02:29:10-------Out 10:02:31:15)

14. - So it seems all of you are happy...

- But of course... (In 10:02:32:18---------Out 10:02:35:22)

Commentary:

Manjura, Shobha, Kulada, Futuna and Futuni are the last of a dying breed. They are the midwives in this society. For centuries, midwives have assisted in delivering babies in such remote villages. Their tools are basic; their payments paltry. They travel daily to provide assistance and reassurance to expectant mothers and take care of their newborns.

15. Hey you... fucking around... huh! (In 10:03:02:00---------Out 10:03:04:02)

16. And can take pictures as well... huh! (In 10:03:07:00----------Out 10:03:09:15)

17. Even our chatting is been captured by you... (In 10:03:11:19---------Out 10:03:14:16)

18. What a smart ass you are! (In 10:03:14:18-------------Out 10:03:17:03)

Commentary:

Kalindi, Manjura’s childhood confidante …

19. Hey my bosom friend... (In 10:03:24:15--------------Out 10:03:25:17)

Commentary:

Is the local quack, who is adept at conjuring potions to help women conceive male children, …

20. Shan’t go even if you plead... (In 10:03:28:04----------Out 10:03:30:23)

21. Shan’t go even if you beckon... (In 10:03:31:00----------Out 10:03:33:18)

Commentary:

… Provide them homemade contraceptives.

22. Shall go according to my own whims... (In 10:03:33:20-----------Out 10:03:37:01)

Commentary:

Despite all odds Manjura and Kalindi are in a perpetual celebratory spirit.

23. It's here that I got married... (In 10:03:41:08--------------Out 10:03:43:12)

24. My father's house is at Ulugora... (In 10:03:44:05---------------Out 10:03:46:04)

25. I was a puny little thing when I got married... (In 10:03:47:01--------------Out 10:03:48:12)

26. Do you think I was a grown up woman like you? (In 10:03:49:09-------------Out 10:03:51:10)

27. Soon enough my in-laws started complaining... (In 10:03:52:08---------------Out 10:03:58:08)

28. that I was whiling away my time gobbling food... (In 10:03:54:10---------------Out 10:03:56:14)

29. and not showing sufficient interest in learning the tricks of the midwifery trade... (In 10:03:56:15—Out 10:03:59:17

30. Then I went to Sahabju... no... no... Ghatiali... (In 10:03:59:18----------Out 10:04:01:22)

31. and somehow managed to deliver a boy... (In 10:04:03:06-----------Out 10:04:04:20)

32. without entwining the umbilical cord, I severed it... (In 10:04:05:08--------Out 10:04:07:16)

34. everyone exclaimed... what have you done! (In 10:04:08:012-----------Out 10:04:10:08)

35. I admitted that I didn't know how to go about it... (In 10:04:10:24--------Out 10:04:13:01)

36. They told me to entwine the cord immediately... (In 10:04:13:02------------Out Out 10:04:15:06)

37. or else the child might die of bleeding... (In 10:04:15:20----------Out 10:04:17:16)

38. so I tied the twine... (In 10:04:18:15-------------Out 10:04:20:06)

39. That child is still alive and kicking... (In10:04:21:18------------Out 10:04:23:10)

40. When my children were puny... my husband died... (10:04:24:07---------Out 10:04:26:10)

41. Our husbands took away the vermilion mark on our foreheads with them... (In10:04:30:00---------Out 10:04:32:01)

42 and the iron bangles (symbol for married woman) too! (In 10:04:32:02--------Out 10:04:33:17)

1. My kids were this small... puny little ones... (In 10:04:34:10---------Out 10:04:36:20)

2. Understand! (In 10:04:37:21-----------Out 10:04:38:20)

3. We’ve been widows since ages... (In 10:04:39:16-----------10:04:43:20)

4. There’s no end to our woes... (In 10:04:44:22------------10:04:47:22)

5. Who can be complained to? (In 10:04:50:09-------------Out 10:04:52:11)

6. Who on earth will take away this sorrow... (In10:04:54:04---------Out 10:04:56:10)

7. There’s simply no end to it... (In 10:04:56:11--------Out 10:04:58:00)

8. What to say... carrying pots we’d go begging for starch... (In 10:04:58:20----------Out 10:05:01:12)

9. Yes in our villages... carrying buckets... (In 10:05:04:06-------------Out 10:05:06:08)

10. we would go begging for starch... (In 10:05:06:20-------------Out 10:05:08:14)

11. Some gave us watery starch... (In 10:05:08:15-------------Out 10:05:11:02)

12. a few use to give us a hand full of rice... (In10:05:11:03--------Out 10:05:12:23)

13. That's how I reared my children... (In 10:05:12:14--------------Out 10:05:15:05)

14. Do you get it...? (In 10:05:15:07------------Out 10:05:16:11)

15. Whom to tell the tale of our unending plight? (In 10:05:16:13-------Out 10:05:18:11)

16. We're still living in anguish... yes we are! (In 10:05:18:11--------------10:05:21:11)

17. Bid me farewell... bid me farewell o mother ... (In 10:05:27:04------------Out 10:05:31:03)

18. I'm bound for my husband's home... (In 10:05:31:04---------------Out 10:05:37:11)

19. What blessings do you have to offer o mother ... (In 10:05:39:09-----Out 10:05:48:05)

20. Don't cry o mother ... stay put at home ... (In 10:05:49:18---------Out 10:05:53:17)

Commentary:

Shefali is about to deliver her fourth child. She has been in labour for several hours now, and is in considerable pain. According to tribal custom, a woman must endure labour cramps in silence. If her scream reaches the ears of a man it is considered an unpardonable sin. Shefali has already had three daughters and is desperately hoping to redeem herself by giving birth to a male child this time around.

Commentary:

Only dirt tracks connect the 35 villages in the area, and the seven odd midwives of the area know every nook and turn very well. They are on always on call regardless of weather, or time of day. In hurrying haste these midwives often lose count of babies they have delivered including their own offspring.

There’s pressing work at hand. Some twine, a coin, a heated razor blade and generations of experience.

1. - So you’ve started work?

- Yeah! I have... (In 10:07:33:19------------Out 10:07:35:23)

1. What is it a boy or a girl? (In 10:07:36:22------------Out 10:07:38:06)

2. But of course a boy... (In 10:07:38:16------------Out 10:07:39:16)

3. You didn't need the midwife during the delivery? (In 10:07:40:14--------------Out 10:07:43:03)

4. The baby got delivered... simply got delivered without me... (In 10:07:43:04-------Out 10:07:46:02)

5. - Was the baby delivered here?

- Yeah! Here only... (In 10:07:47:10-----------------Out 10:07:49:11)

1. So you are their family midwife? (In 10:07:49:12------------------Out 10:07:51:06)

2. Yeah! For all the houses in this village... (In 10:07:51:24-----------Out 10:07:53:18)

3. You and your mother-in-law, Manjura? (In 10:07:53:19---------------Out 10:07:55:11)

4. Yeah! Between the two of us we alternate... (In 10:07:55:21---------------Out 10:07:58:17)

5. What cast do you belong to? (In 10:08:00:07------------------Out 10:08:01:09)

6. - We are Parsi, Murmus (Schedule tribes)... (In 10:00:01:20-----------------Out 10:08:03:11)

7. - Santhals? - Yeah! (In 10:08:04:09-----------------Out 10:08:05:20)

1. No rituals are allowed during times of impurity... (In 10:08:06:10---------------Out 10:08:08:01

1. Now she is impure (post delivery women are considered as impure)... (In 10:08:08:02-----------Out 10:08:09:16)

2. The impurity gets over after a period of nine days... (In 10:08:09:17-------------Out 10:08:11:19)

3. This ritual is called Nakta... (In10:08:11:20-----------------Out 10:08:13:11)

4. As an exception they are conducting the purification ritual on the fifth day... (In 10:08:13:12----------Out 10:08:15:19)

5. Since we have a religious festival round the corner... (In 10:08:16:02---------------Out 10:08:18:16)

6. And what does your husband do? (In 10:08:20:01--------------------Out 10:08:22:19)

7. I don't know what he is doing... he was here a month back... (In 10:08:23:19------------------Out 10:08:25:24)

8. hasn't returned since... (In 10:08:26:00-------------------Out 10:08:27:19)

9. The umbilical cord is quite thick... (In 10:08:34:14---------------Out 10:08:37:02)

10. It’s unusually thick... (In 10:08:38:04--------------Out 10:08:39:16)

11. Tie a stronger knot... otherwise it will bleed... (In 10:08:43:00----------------------Out 10:08:45:09)

12. We don't have a hospital nearby... (In 10:08:56:02------------------------Out 10:09:00:00)

13. neither do we have money to go there... (In 10:09:00:01---------------------Out 10:09:04:02)

Commentary:

The process seems relatively artless. The twine is tied two inches above the navel. Then the razor blade is positioned, and using the coin for support the cord is severed swiftly.

After the cord is cut the infant is given a brisk rub down in mustard oil and then wiped to remove all trace of amniotic fluid.

On the ninth day after a birth, the midwife will return to conduct the purification ceremony.

Shobha is Manjura`s Daughter-in-law and her apprentice. She now supports her family by continuing the trade

1. What are you doing? (In 10:09:59:12---------------------- Out 10:10:01:01)

2. The head is now flat... it will become well rounded this way... (In 10:10:01:02----------------- Out 10:10:04:21)

3. Just like wood apple... (In 10:10:06:23------------------Out 10:10:09:10)

Commentary:

The ritual is basic and in these impoverished villages consists merely of giving the child a bath in well water with a cheap brand of soap.

Now they are homebound.

1. Just wait and watch till you get married... only then you will realize the fun of it all... (In 10:10:42:21---------Out 10:10:46:03)

2. You'll have to jump on the husking pedal hard (suggesting fornication)... (In 10:10:46:04-----------Out 10:10:49:17)

Commentary:

This river is the only source of water for the village.

1. Once you are married you will realize the fun of it all... (In 10:10:53:01-------------Out 10:10:55:08)

2. You mean the husking pedal of life? (In 10:10:55:09------------- Out 10:10:57:04)

3. The pedal of life... aha! (In 10:10:57:05------------Out 10:10:59:22)

Commentary:

Kalindi is deliriously drunk and in a mischievous mood. She regales us with her raunchy banter.

1. Does one ever forget the act of making love? No! never... (In 10:11:03:18------------Out 10:11:06:24)

2. We'll never forget... never ever... (In 10:11:07:00---------------Out 10:11:08:18)

3. We'll keep on recollecting the sounds and the sights over and over again... (In 10:11:08:20------------Out 10:11:13:10)

4. We'll never forget... never ever! (In 10:11:13:11-----------------Out 10:11:15:13)

5. Then there's bound to be tête a tête... isn't it? (In 10:11:15:14------------------Out 10:11:18:05)

6. Beyond the fuck there's bound to be foreplay... (In 10:11:18:15-----------------Out 10:11:21:05)

7. Its almost like a carnival... they will hug each other... fall on each others feet... (In 10:11:21:18---------Out 10:11:25:17)

8. They'll murmur sweet nothings into each other’s ear... aha! (In 10:11:25:18--------------Out 10:11:30:02)

9. Open your doors ... open your doors o Kamala ... (In 10:11:35:12----------------Out 10:11:39:00)

10. O Kamala... Please open your doors... (In 10:11:39:01------------Out 10:11:42:12)

11. Believe me o dear Kamala, I'm your husband ... (In 10:11:42:13--------------Out 10:11:48:13)

12. The benign Lord Shiva's good wishes has landed me at your door o Kamala ... (In 10:11:49:23--------Out 10:11:53:08)

13. Let me enter your doors o Kamala ... (In 10:11:53:09---------------Out 10:11:56:23)

14. I'm Ashtami... I studied till the eighth standard... after that I got married... (In 10:11:58:01--------Out 10:12:02:03)

15. At what age did you get married? (In 10:12:02:04-----------Out 10:12:03:23)

16. Around fourteen or fifteen... (In 10:12:03:23------------Out 10:12:05:17)

17. How is the household doing? (In 10:12:05:10------------Out 10:12:07:14)

18. It's doing okay... (In 10:12:07:15------------Out 10:12:09:24)

Commentary:

This is seventeen-year-old Ashtami. She lost her first son during delivery and is now the proud mother of a healthy baby boy.

 

1. It was her first pregnancy... so we didn't realize... (In 10:12:23:20---------- Out 10:12:26:11)

2. We figured that the delivery would probably happen by the month's end... (In 10:12:26:12----------Out 10:12:28:11)

3. O r may be the next month... (In 10:12:28:12---------------Out 10:12:30:02)

4. The labour pain started around three in the afternoon... (In 10:12:30:03---------------Out 10:12:32:13)

5. We took her to the nearby hospital... (In 10:12:32:14----------------Out 10:12:35:21)

6. Seeing her nurse predicted there are still around 10/12 days to go... (In 10:12:35:22------------Out 10:12:42:12)

7. She said there's no doctor around now so I can't be of any help... (In 10:12:43:17-------------Out 10:12:47:20)

8. She said take back the patient and bring her back tomorrow morning around nine... (In 10:12:47:20—Out 10:12:53:07)

9. Then we got her back home... (In 10:12:55:12--------------Out 10:12:57:10)

10. Around eleven at night her labour pain started... (In 10:12:57:11---------------Out 10:13:01:20)

11. The baby got delivered around three in the morning... (In 10:13:02:15--------------Out 10:13:05:18)

12. - Where was the child delivered?

- At home only... (In 10:13:05:19--------------------Out 10:13:07:20)

1. - Who was the midwife?

- I did it... (In 10:13:07:20---------------------Out10:13:10:13

1. Normally the child tosses and tumbles inside, to position its head downwards... (In 10:13:10:13-----Out 10:13:14:04)

2. but her child didn't turn its head downwards... (In 10:13:14:05-------Out 10:13:16:17)

3. It remained in its original position with the leg downward... (In 10:13:17:24------------Out 10:13:20:00)

4. The legs came out first and then gradually the whole body... (In 10:13:22:02-----------Out 10:13:27:10)

5. but the head got stuck! (In 10:13:28:12---------Out 10:13:31:00)

6. With great difficulty I extricated the head of the child struggling to come out... (In 10:13:31:02----Out 10:13:32:11)

7. The contractions had ceased before the head came out... (In 10:13:36:13----------Out 10:13:39:06)

8. The mother couldn't help to push the child to come out... (In 10:13:39:08----------Out 10:13:41:08)

9. As it was very late in the night we couldn't take her to the hospital... (In 10:13:41:09---------Out 10:13:44:18)

10. In the morning we took her to the district municipal hospital at Purulia... (10;13:44:19-------Out 10:13:47:03)

11. There the doctor said if you are lucky, the child might just be saved or else not... (In 10:13:47:04-------Out 10;13:52:17)

12. We were not lucky... the boy died within three days! (In 10:13:53:24------------Out 10:13:58:08)

13. The boy could barely breathe for a day... though oxygen was provided... (In 10:13:58:09-------Out 10:14:02:14)

14. He kept on gasping... (In 10:14:02:14----------Out 10:14:06:10)

15. My child was admitted at eight in the morning... (In 10:14:06:21-----------Out 10:14:09:06)

16. The following night the boy died! (In 10:14:09:07----------Out 10:14:11:17)

Commentary:

Meanwhile at Manjura’s house the children are busy studying.

1. I'm Anita... I'm a student of eighth standard at Ranga Junior High School... (In 10:14:28:24---------Out 10:14:35:00)

2. What do you want to do when you grow up? Will you study further? (In 10:14:38:22--------------Out 10:14:43:06)

3. - I'll study till matriculation...

- After that? (In 10:14:43:06------Out 10:14:46:05)

1. I want to be a nurse... (In 10:14:48:12---------------Out 10:14:50:09)

2. - So you want to become a nurse?

- Yes I do... (In 10:14:50:10----------------Out 10:14:52:11)

1. Are you learning the craft of midwifery? (In 10:14:53:03---------------Out 10:14:55:15)

2. - Non-I've not learnt...

- Won't you learn? (In 10:14:55:16--------------Out 10:14:58:22)

1. Yeah, eventually I'll learn... (In 10:14:59:13-----------------Out 10:15:01:05)

2. There's no pressing hurry to learn it right away... (In 10:15:01:17---------Out 10:15:04:10)

3. - But you do want to learn, isn't it?

- Yeah! (In 10:15:04:22------------Out 10:15:06:18)

1. I'm Rina... a student of the seventh standard at Ranga High School... (In 10:15:07:13--------Out 10:15:11:19)

2. I'll study till matriculation and then become a midwife... (In 10:15:13:01--------Out 10:15:15:10)

3. I'll take proper training... and try to help people around... (In 10:15:16:05---------Out 10:15:20:18)

4. It's by and large a decent school... (In 10:15:26:22--------Out 10:15:28:17)

5. This school is opened just a few years back... somewhere around 2000... (In 10:15:30:08-----------Out 10:15:35:11)

Commentary:

The midwives hope that an education will help their children with better prospects. The children face an arduous 12-kilometer bicycle ride each day to reach the school. Those who can’t afford a bicycle, they have to walk that long stretch braving all odds in their desperate search of a better life that schooling just might provide. But sadly the administrative apathy that marks the conditions of the roads, the water supply and the healthcare, stares at us in the face in schools such as these. Given this pathetic state of imparting education, knowledge remains a distant dream.

1. “The new century harks aloud... that every child should achieve literacy,” (In 10:15:53:14----------Out 10:15:56:03)

Commentary:

The profession of midwifery is placed at the lowest rung of the caste system and so these women are considered untouchables. Yet in all the villages across this district, the midwives facilitate births even in households placed on the upper echelons of the caste system. Ironically these marching midwives move up and down the social ladder with feline felicity.

In this region, local government hospitals seldom have doctors on call around the clock, if they’re there at all…and the midwife is the only source of solace for women in labour. They practice their craft with virtually no formal training and function largely without any aid from the government. And it’s only recently that they have started using sterilized razor blades. A large number of their practices remain shrouded in superstition and folklore.

1. You can jolly well see for yourself that she is just around 13 or 14... (In 10:17:44:12-----Out 10:17:47:14)

2. In our households if a girl is married at such a tender age... (In 10:17:47:15------Out 10:17:50:08)

3. she almost immediately gives birth to a child... (In 10:17:50:09---------------Out 10:17:52:15)

4. Tell me what are you doing? You shall see for yourself… (In 10:17:54:07---------Out 10:17:56:00)

5. (In jest) I'll do to you what I'm going to do to the child... (In 10:17:56:01-------------Out 10:17:58:12)

6. So this time around your wife delivered a girl... are you sad? (In 10:18:00:17-----------Out 10:18:03:19)

7. Yeah one feels sad but one can't help it... as such we are so hard up for food... (In 10:18:05:00------Out 10:18:13:18)

8. During trying times and illness anyone can die... (In 10:18:13:20----------Out 10:18:16:22)

9. as there’s no hospital nearby... (In 10:18:18:23-------------Out 10:18:22:05)

10. there's always dearth of money... (In 10:18:22:06-----------Out 10:18:25:18)

11. There are no options available... (In 10:18:25:19----------------Out 10:18:28:13)

12. Go fetch water fast... keep this aside... (In 10:18:36:06---------Out 10:18:30:03)

13. There's hardly any provision for farming... (In 10:18:39:01---------Out 10:18:43:03)

14. We chop trees and sell wood for survival... (In 10:18:43:06---------Out 10:18:46:20)

15. We don't have provision even for water... no wells, no dams around... (In 10:18:46:21-------Out 10:18:51:00)

16. There’s hardly any literacy... the government doesn't help us become literate... (In 10:18:51:23----Out 10:18:57:06)

17. or else we could have found a job... (In 10:18:57:07--------Out 10:19:00:21)

18. You should’ve crushed some dried dung and applied it to the naval... (In 10:19:16:13-------Out 10:19:19:00)

19. Hey! Avoid applying oil there as the naval is infected... (In 10:19:23:10--------Out 10:19:25:08)

20. it will burn... (In 10:19:25:09------Out 10:19:27:02)

21. - Wrap it there... Rather you do it... (In 10:19:25:09-----------Out 10:19:31:07)

22. Okay let me tie it... (In 10:19:33:02------------Out 10:19:34:24)

23. So your child is finally cleansed... come take your child... (In 10:19:40:18----Out 10:19:44:08)

24. Ask the mother to hold the child... (In 10:19:47:10--------Out 10:19:49:12)

25. Put it equidistantly... first shake away the ash from the scythe... (In 10:19:56:18-------Out 10:19:59:02)

26. I told you to place it equidistantly... (In 10:20:03:16------Out 10:20:06:20)

27. Hmm... place it there... yeah... (In 10:20:09:09-------Out 10:20:12:20)

28. Hold on... let the child breathe... (In 10:20:15:10-----Out 10:20:17:12)

29. Hold the baby firmly... (In 10:20:21:01-----------------Out 10:20:22:22)

30. What on earth are you doing? Conducting the ritual of slicing... (In 10:20:24:14--------Out 10:20:28:20)

31. Here the child's crying and you're just yapping on... (In 10:20:28:21-----------Out 10:20:32:05)

32. Why didn't you encircle the naval with the scythe? (In 10:20:38:07--------Out 10:20:40:15)

33. It leaves a permanent mark around the naval... (In 10:20:40:16--------------Out 10:20:42:19)

34. Hey woman feed your child... (In10:20:50:00------------Out 10:20:51:14)

35. What did you do? Why on earth did you do this? (In 10:20:55:23-------Out 10:20:57:20)

36. You want to know why I did that? I did it to reduce cramps... (In 10:20:57:22-----Out 10:21:00:06)

37. - Why does it pain! - Please explain... (In 10:21:00:24-------------Out 10:21:03:23)

38. To prevent the enlargement of the spleen... (In 10:21:04:11-------Out 10:21:07:00)

39. - What? - The spleen... the spleen... understand! (In 10:21:07:14-----Out 10:21:10:23)

40. - So this way the spleen won't enlarge?

- No it won't... (In 10:21:10:23-------------Out 10:21:13:01)

1. - Will the water dry up this way?

- Yes of course... (In 10:21:13:02------------Out 10:21:16:22)

1. Hey you cameraman so by this way you're trying to come closer to me... (In 10:21:18:04--------------Out 10:21:21:00)

2. - You have to do this to every kid?

- Yes! (In 10:21:21:01-----------------Out 10:21:23:11)

1. - On the 21st day...

- Hey you come charging on my face! (In 10:21:25:13------------Out 10:21:30:08)

1. Don't prance around or you'll land on the bonfire... (In 10:21:35:00------------Out 10:21:37:15)

2. - Won't there be a mark on the belly?

- No! Never... (In 10:21:37:16----------------Out 10:21:39:11)

1. - The midwife has to do this as well?

- Yeah! (In 10:21:41:15---------------Out 10:21:44:06)

1. - What's this ritual called?

- It's called the slicing act... (In 10:21:44:07-------------Out 10:21:47:11)

1. Why do you make me repeat the same thing fifty times! (In 10:21:47:12------------Out 10:21:50:14)

2. What do the doctors have to say about this practice? (In 10:21:50:15----------------Out 10;21:53:23)

3. The doctors ask us not to do this but we don't care... (In 10:21:53:24--------------Out 10:21:57:20)

4. Here the mother eats anything she can lay her hands on... (In 10;21:57:21----------Out 22:00:12)

5. and then she breastfeeds the child... (In 10:22:00:14-----------------Out 10:22:02:12)

6. Again you come charging on my face! (In 10:22:02:13------------Out 10:22:05:13)

7. - Give us rice or else give us money... -- --- They say they've neither… (In 10:22:06:17----------------Out 10:22:09:11)

8. Give at least ten rupees... otherwise how I will feed my kids... (In 10:22:09:12-----------------Out 10:22:15:10)

9. Hey mother... (In 10:22:15:11-------------Out 10:22:16:16)

10. Hey you... (In 10:22:18:11----------------Out 10;22:19:09)

11. Please give me my fees... (In 10:22:20:08------------Out 10:22:21:09)

12. Give us rice or else give us money... (10:22:21:10----------------Out 10;22:23:01)

Commentary:

Now is the time to remunerate the midwife. After a frantic search, the man manages to collect a few coins he has saved for months, to hand over to the midwife for her services. The amount is barely enough to buy her family a square meal, and so her march continues…

1. Now take this picture properly... (In 10:22:45:18-----------------Out 10:22:48:05)

2. Nobody informs us in advance about the expected date of delivery… (In 10:23:02;02-------Out 10:23:05:10).

3. only when informed shall we come to know... (In 10:23:05:11--------Out 10:23:07:17)

4. When the contractions start and the woman begins to feel uneasy... (In 10:23:07:18---------Out 10:23:12:12)

5. they inform us... (In 10:23:12:13------------Out 10:23:15:04)

6. They'll come to us and request us to go with them... (In 10: 23:15:05-------Out 10:23:18:19)

7. Even if we're cooking rice and they come to inform us... (In 10:23:18:20--------Out 10:23:23:02)

8. we'll have to abandon cooking and go with them... (In 10:23:23:03-----------Out 10:23:25:07)

9. eating becomes secondary then, as this is what we are meant to do... (In 10:23:26:14--------------Out 10:23;31:10)

10. Midwifery is more important to us than our personal lives... (In 10:23:31:11---------Out 10:23:34:10)

11. We'll examine the woman in labour with oil and water... (In 10:23:35:15------------Out 10:23:39:23)

12. We'll try to find out whether the child is alive or not... (In 10:23:39:24--------------Out 10:23:43:06)

13. If the child is alive the body remains warm... (In 10:23:45:04------------Out 10:23:47:18)

14. It turns cold if the child is dead... that's what we'll examine... (In 10:23:47:19--------Out 10:23:51:12)

15. This is how we apply oil... (In 10:23:53:01------------Out 10:23:57:04)

16. it drips downward in a straight line if the child is safe... (In 10:23:57:05------------Out 10:23:58:22)

17. If there's trouble, the oil will spill sideways... (In 10:23:58:23-------------Out 10:24:05:10)

18. Then only we’ll know that the child is unsafe... (In 10:24:05:11--------------Out 10:24:09:07)

19. Then the witch doctors will be called in to do there bit... (In 10:24:10:23------------Out 10:24:15:21)

239. If we reach on time and sense trouble, we tell the family members... (In 10:24;16:24--------Out 10:24:22:02)

1. Like this we check the positioning of the baby inside the womb... (In 10:24:23:03--------------Out 10:24:24:23)

2. If the child hasn't turned in the womb, the crown is bound to be soft... (In 10:24:24:24---------Out 10:24:28:10)

3. If the head emerges first the crown is crusty... (In 10:24:28:11-----------Out 10:24:31:15)

4. the lower part of the belly becomes harder...otherwise the belly remains normal... (In 10:24:31:16-----Out 10:24:35:19)

5. These are the symptoms we can foretell... (In 10:24:35:20-----------Out 10:24:38:21)

6. When we sense trouble, we tell the family members... (In 10:24:38:22----------------Out 10:24:42:01)

7. to take the woman in labour to the nearest hospital... (In 10:24:42:02--------------Out 10:24:44:08)

8. Some carry the woman on a makeshift stretcher... (In 10:24:44:19---------------Out 10:24:46:18)

9. and those who are comparatively affluent hire a car... (In 10:24;46:23-----------Out 10:24:51:20)

Commentary:

Hessady is fabled as the land of birth yarns and midwives. This tiny hamlet in the valley of the Ayodhya hills in the interiors of the state of West Bengal does not find mention in any map familiar to us. The community ekes out an existence by farming and chopping trees for firewood.

The families of midwives are largely matriarchal. Men of the household take care of the children at home, travel with the women folk to guard them, and while away their free time playing cards and getting drunk on Mahua the local country liquor.

And the women of the area have recently begun to weave bamboo baskets that they will sell or trade for food.

These households survive on a meal of rice soaked overnight, locally called ‘pantabhaat’, and salt. Burnt potatoes at best provide a rare treat.

1. Why do we get so much of rice during winters...? (In 10:27:24:07---------------Out 10:27:27:05)

2. Since we provide services as midwives through out the year... (In 10:27:27:06------Out 10:27:30:22)

3. The villagers won't give it to useless people... (In 10:27:30:23-----------Out 10:27:33:11)

4. We don't sell rice... we're poor people, we consume it... (In 10:27:34:19----Out 10:27:39:07)

5. What will we get to eat... there are tough days ahead... (In 10:27:40:11--------Out 10:27:42:19)

6. People of upper caste realize that we take post natal care with utmost sincerity... (In 10:27:42:20----Out 10:27:48:08)

7. hence they provide us provisions... (In 10:27:49:00---------Out 10:27:52:20)

8. During the Tusu festival they give us rice to make rice cakes... (In 10:27:52:21-------Out 10:27:54:15)

9. It's carnival time for us... music.... dance... celebrations... (In 10:27:54:16---------Out 10:28:00:11)

10. During Tusu festival the villagers will gift us meat and rice... (In 10:27:00:12------Out 10:28:06:19)

11. they'll gift us several goodies and alcohol... (In 10:28:06:20-----------Out 10:28:15:23)

12. Like this way the villagers please us... (In 10:28:15:23--------------Out 10:28:18:22)

13. You could've watched the fun if you were around... (In 10:28:18:23----------Out 10:28:21:10)

14. The upper caste gives us alms as if we are their servants... (In 10:28:22:12-----Out 10:28:28:24)

15. If you give us Mohua to drink, we'll sing for you right away… (In 10:28:29:18----Out 10:28:33:13)

Commentary:

The barter system remains an integral part of the social structure in these villages.

1. - What are you up to... - Chaffing paddy... (In 10:28:40:16:---------------Out 10:28:43:00)

2. Will take away the hay to thatch my roof... its been leaking... monsoons are around...(In 10:28:43:01---Out 10:28:45:12)

Commentary:

And very often midwives are offered rice or vegetables in exchange for their services. The roof in Manjura’s hut needs mending, so she is thrashing paddy in exchange for the hay that she needs to thatch her roof.

For these midwives, Mohua, the local country liquor serves as a fuel energizing them to go on with their ceaseless strife.

 

 

1. Being intoxicated I've lost my way... (In 10:29:45:15------Out 10:29:48:15)

Commentary:

Intoxication just spurs them on…

1. The birth of a child is in the hands of destiny... (In 10:30:03:08-------Out 10:30:05:03)

2. My daughter-in-law is about to deliver soon... (In 10:30:05:04------Out 10:30:07:08)

3. When the time is ripe the child will be born... (In 10:30:07:09--------Out 10:30:10:12)

4. How many rounds do you've to make to carry the stacks of hay? (In 10:30:14:22------Out 10:30:18:07)

5. How many times Manjura? (In 10:30:18:21-------------out 10:30:20:01)

6. You keep shut... I'm in no mood to tattle... (In 10:30:20:02----------------Out 10:30:23:05)

7. The cow and the mother are all the same... (In 10:30:24:00-------------Out 10:30:26:07)

8. will see ten full-moon nights before delivering... (In 10:30:28:08------------Out 10:30:31:01)

9. So what's playing in your mind now? - She's restless through the day... (In 10:30:31:02--------Out 10:30:33:13)

10. What else... except the fact that I'm childless... (In 10:30:33:14----------Out 10:30:35:12)

11. every one has one and I don't... (In 10:30:36:18-----------Out 10:30:38:16)

12. She sobs within... (In 10:30:38:17----------Out 10:30:40:41)

13. I myself give her medicines... (In 10:30:41:09----------Out 10:30:43:07)

14. What medicines do you give her? (In 10:30:43:08-------Out 10:30:45:18)

15. I gave her medicines to help her conceive… (In 10:30:47;02--------Out 10:30:50;09)

16. Some girls who don't get periods post puberty… (In 10;30:53:14-------Out 10:30:56:05)

17. I give medicines to help them menstruate... (In 10:30:56:06----------Out 10:30:59:23)

18. Yeah! I also give medicines to prevent conception... (In 10:31:05:07-----------Out 10:31:08:02)

19. I facilitate young girls to bleed... (In 10:31:08:03--------------Out 10:31:12:15)

20. With twelve elements I conjure potent potions... (In 10:31:12:16----------Out 10:31:17:06)

21. I collect so many flowers... white lotus, red lotus, china rose... (In 10:31:18:16-------Out 10:31:29:22)

22. so many other weeds and roots... (In 10:31:29:24----------Out 10:31:32:10)

23. - So you're a know-it-all person?

- But of course! (In 10:31:32:11---------------Out 10:31:34:20)

1. - What's your name? - Kalpana Kalindi... (In 10:31:41:20-----------Out 10:31:43:00)

2. - What does your husband do? - He makes bamboo baskets... (In 10:31:43:01--------------Out 10:31:47:10)

3. there's no other work here... (In 10:31:47:11--------------Out 10:31:49:13)

4. - How do you manage to run the household?

- We barely scrape a living... (In 10:31:49:14------------Out 10:31:55:07)

1. I won’t allow her to be sterilized elsewhere... I'll do it myself... (In 10:31:55:08----------Out 10:31:58:18)

2. Why? (In 10:31:58:19----------------Out 10:32:01:10)

298. It is better done at home... - Yeah! It's always better... (In 10:32:01:11----------------Out 10:32:03:23)

299. It’s scary to do it elsewhere... (In 10:32:03:24--------------------Out 10:32:06:24)

300. I myself will do it at home... (In 10:32:09:13---------------Out 10:32:11:00)

301. What potion will you give her? (In 10:32:12:07-------------------Out 10:32:13:12)

302. - I make it with shoots of a tree... - Which tree? (In 10:32:16:24--------------Out 10:32:23:17)

303. - What is it? (In 10:32:24:11---------------Out 10:32:25:17)

304. That shoot prevents further conception... (In 10:32:26:11-----------------Out 10:32:28:24)

305. Will you feed her the shoot? (In 10:32:31:12----------------Out 10:32:33:15)

306. The shoot will be mixed with gun powder and stirred in concentrated country liquor... (In 10:32:33:16-----------Out 10:32:43:11)

307. This potion will prevent further conception... (In 10:32:50:08----------Out 10:32:54:01)

308. - Will she be sterilized for good?

- Yeah! (In 10:32:54:02----------------Out 10:32:57:08)

309. So she won’t be able to conceive anymore even if she wants to? (In 10:32:57:09-----------------Out 10:32:59:04)

310. No, never... (In 10:32:59:05-----------------Out 10:33:00:23)

311. How many days after the delivery will you administer the potion? (In 10:33:03:11--------------Out 10:33:05:15)

312. Eight / nine days after the delivery... (In 10:33:05:16--------------Out 10:33:08:09)

313. If sterilization happens it’s well and good otherwise... lets see... (In 10:33:11:22----------------Out 10:33:17:01)

314. So many women from this village have been sterilized by my potion…. (In 10:33:17:02------------Out 10:33:23:17)

315. They were taking Sadhu’s daughter-in-law to the hospital situated 40 kms. away... (In 10:33:32:01----Out 10:33:39:09)

316. on a makeshift stretcher... Sadhu’s son was carrying a bundle of notes ... (In 10:33:39:10--------Out 10:33:44:12)

1. but the woman couldn’t be saved... she died right outside my courtyard... (In 10:33:46:16------Out 10:33:55:23)

318. - How did she die? - How do I know? (In 10:33:55:24--------------Out 10:34:00:17)

319. Her body turned blue and she died... (In 10:34:00:18--------------Out 10:34:03:13)

Commentary:

The final hours are trying for Shefali. She has to tear a thread out with her hands, from the bedspread of a baby. She has to dissect a plantain leaf into two to ensure the safe passage of her child and break a piece of mud from an earthen oven -- all symbols of one body being severed into two. Then she has to drink the water that has cleansed her mother in laws and husband’s feet for penance. Finally the witch doctor is called to ward off evil spirits.

Commentary:

While the midwives do have a wealth of experience, they lack the knowledge and the resources to help with troubled pregnancies. In such cases, desperate families have been known to barter or sell their precious few belongings, or even mortgage their property for a ride to the nearest hospital. When all else fails the pregnant woman is carried on a makeshift stretcher in a last ditch attempt to save the lives of mother and child.

320. - Where are you taking her? - To the hospital… (In 10:35:32:17---------Out 10:35:37:17)

321. - Is she in labour? - Yeah! (In 10:35:39:15--------------Out 10:35:41:20)

322. - Any potions that will ensure a male child? - Certainly there are... (In 10:36:03:20-----------out 10:36:09:16)

323. - Arun of Ayodhya had seven daughters… (In 10:36:09:16---------------out 10;36:13:14)

1. then we gave his wife the potion and she delivered three boys... (In 10:36:13:15------------------Out 10:36:20:13)

2. one is dead; the other two are alive and kicking… (In 10:36:20:14---------------Out 10:36:22:11)

3. - What potion did you give… roots and weeds?

- Yes we gave potent weeds… (In 10:36:22:12------Out 10:36:27:20)

1. You have to administer it just after the menstrual cycle… (In 10:36:30:23--------------Out 10:36:35:23)

2. - What is this and that? - Weeds and roots…what else… (In 10:36:35:24---------------Out 10:36:41:09)

3. We know special roots and weeds, which are effective... (In 10:36:46:01---------------Out 10:36:51:11)

4. the clitoris has to be touched with that potion… (In 10:36:51:12---------------------Out 10:36:55:24)

5. Where? (In 10:36:56:01-------------Out 10:36:57:07)

6. The clitoris! (In 10:36:57:08------------Out 10:36:59:14)

7. For those who want to abort, we have a secret method… (In 10:37:17:01-------------Out 10:37:24:08)

1. We shove the branch of a particular plant inside the vagina… (In 10:37:24:09------------Out 10:37:30:11)

2. like this way here we abort… (In 10:37:30:12---------------Out 10:37:33:21)

3. - Won’t it hurt? – No it won’t… (In 10:37:33:22---------------Out 10:37:38:01)

4. - How do you ensure the safety? - That I won’t reveal…it’s our secret…. (In 10:37:38:01---------Out 10:37:42:17)

5. - What is this for? - Dosage for conception… (In 10:38:00:06------------Out 10:38:02:16)

6. - How many days? - One dose each, for five days (In 10:38:02:17------------Out 10:38:05:07)

7. Give me another glass of Mohua… (In 10:38:46:23----------Out 10:38:48:07)

8. The low-lying areas of Hessady are the land of virtues…. (In 10:39:02:03------10:39:09:13)

9. …. no elephants or horses can move here….hey! Such is the virtuous land… (In 10:39:10:20------Out 10:39:19:04)

Commentary:

Kuki of Bangada village can`t hear or speak. After having delivered three sons, Kuki fervently awaits the birth of a daughter. She is waiting and wanting to be severed into two. She cannot connect with the people around her and spends her day in her courtyard doing her household chores. Unlike other households a daughter is awaited here

1. Hey girl, are you okay? (In 10:40:42:03-------Out 10:40:44:19)

2. She keeps on saying yes to everything … (In 10:40:50:04-----------Out 10:40:52:24)

3. She is ten months pregnant… (In 10:41:00:08-------------Out 10:41:02:06)

4. - Is the child moving? - Yes it is… (In 10:41:02:07---------Out 10:41:04:24)

Commentary:

Shobha observes the passage of oil floating downwards. She believes if the oil flows down straight, there will be no trouble. If the oil spreads sideways, trouble would ensue. Shobha has also predicted that Kuki will deliver on the moonless night

1. - It’ll be good to have a girl… (In 10:41:39:21-----------Out 10:41:42:14)

2. - This time a girl is more than welcome after two sons… (In 10:41:43:20-----------Out 10:41:47:06)

3. - Is it paining as yet? (In 10:41:50:00--------------Out 10:41:52:03)

4. - No, she says that it’s not paining… (In 10:42:00:16----------out 10:42:02:08)

5. - She’ll deliver a daughter on a moonless night! (In 10:42:07:23-----------Out 10:42:11:07)

353. - Tie your petticoat slightly up… don’t carry weights… (In 10:42:25:00-------Out 10:42:30:12)

Commentary:

Kuki’s husband Ghasiram is a drunken wreck. Since Kuki is physically challenged, no better groom was available for her in the village. She has surrendered to her destiny and keeps on delivering children, all of whom are in perfect health.

 

354. The child is not feeling well…

 

355. Be careful Shefali… take it easy... (In 10:44:26:03--------Out 10:44:27:24)

1. Holy father…Holy mother… (In 10:44:33:04--------Out 10:44:37:07)

357. Aha… sit tight…fetch water fast… (In 10:44:42:05-------Out 10:44:45:07)

1. - It’s a girl yet again… fetch water fast… (In 10:44:47:04----Out 10:44:51:05)

2. - Not on the face… sprinkle water on the tummy… (In 10:44:57:17-------Out 10:45;00:16)

3. - The girl is jumpy… (In 10:45:04:23------Out 10:45:06:19)

Commentary:

Despite all this, Shefali finally delivers yet another girl. All her hopes are dashed. Her future is fraught with uncertainty. Shobha buries the placenta where the placentas of this family have been buried for generations.

1. - She’s crying… now is the time to cry a bit (In 10:45:40:10------Out 10;45:43:09)

2. - Hey sister, fetch some hot water… (In 10:45:45:02-------Out 10:45:48:01)

3. - I’ll bathe your grand daughter… (In 10:45:50:06-------Out 10:45:53:05)

4. - She won’t cry anymore… (In 10:45:56:15-----------Out 10:45:57:20)

5. - If she cries, she won’t find a lap… (In 10:45:58:20----------------Out 10:46:00:20)

366. - Expected a son… but I have yet an additional burden to bear now… (In 10:46:14:10------Out 10:46:21:16)

1. - If there were some arrangements, it would have been better for us… (In 10:46:21:17---------Out 10:46:24:19)

2. - One…two…three sons to come… (In 10:46:43:08-------Out 10:46:45:10)

3. - It’s our job to predict… this girl will now have three more sons… (In 10:46:50:22------Out 10:46:55:03)

4. nothing to worry about (10;46;55;04-------out 10;46:58:04)

Commentary:

Shobha buries the placenta where the placentas of this family have been buried for generations.

1. I’m massaging the woman with mustard oil, to give her relief… (In 10:47:13:09:----------Out 10:47:18:10)

2. Here we do it this way… how do you do it in your city? (In 10:47:18:15-------------Out 10:47:24:24)

3. The entire village has been rendered impure… (In 10:47:26:18---------------out 10:47:34:13)

4. we’ve to absolve ourselves with the purification process… (In 10:47:36:24-------Out 10;47:41:23)

5. take a bath and drink Mohua… (In 10:47:46:06----------Out 10:47:51:24)

6. My mother in law taught me this craft… (In 10:48:17:13-----Out 10:48:20:07)

7. the same way I’ve been teaching my daughter in laws… (In 10:48:20:23---------Out 10:48:24:12)

8. we faced all odds… (In 10:48:24:17---------------Out 10:48:27:20)

9. braved danger at night to walk through jungles… (In 10:48:28:21---------Out 10;48:34:11)

10. to help hapless women deliver… (In 10:48:34:20-------10:48:38:07)

11. It’s our duty! (In 10:48:39:01------------Out 10:48:40:10)

12. We have been passing such acquired age old wisdom through generations… (In 10:48:41:07----Out 10;48:46:05)

13. Who else but me can teach them… (In 10:48:47:13---------Out 10:48:49:11)

Commentary:

We do not know if Shefali managed to conceive a son and make her and her family’s dreams come true. We also do not know whether Kuki finally managed to deliver her much-willed daughter. However, we do know that we left this place with a lot of images etched into our memories- images that stare at us in the face; images of zealous midwives and nervous mothers. We don’t know whether we can do anything to improve their lot. We have attempted to suture together vignettes of their life and have tried to document this dying practice. And so this is their film.

00:10:00