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Isabelle of Bombay: A Cosmic Conflict
Isabelle of Bombay: A Cosmic Conflict
Isabelle of Bombay: A Cosmic Conflict
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Isabelle of Bombay: A Cosmic Conflict

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This riveting novel tells the story of Isabelle, a beautiful child, who grows up in the tempestuous city of Bombay. It takes readers through Isabelle's emotional roller-coaster of a journey - her childhood, her starry-eyed romance, the killing of innocence as she endures a traumatic marriage, and her final tryst with true love in Canada.

The book is richly evocative and entertaining in its portrayal of Bombay. But saddened by the overwhelming poverty, depressed over the disparities and contradictions of society, and disappointed by the taboos of colour and gender, Isabelle leaves her people and the city she loves to migrate to Canada, a new land.

Incredibly, two celestial beings follow and guide Isabelle, from above and afar, throughout her life. They don't intervene actively but subtly guide her toward contentment and love. The real merges with the surreal.

Caution: You may not be able to put this book down! You won't forget Isabelle - her joys, her pain and torment, her love, her devotion to her family and her sacrifices for it. And you will envy Isabelle for her two cosmic Samaritans!

In sum, Colleen Ansley's debut novel is a gem!

- S R Madhu, writer-editor, Chennai, India
LanguageEnglish
PublishereBookIt.com
Release dateApr 26, 2016
ISBN9780986705212
Isabelle of Bombay: A Cosmic Conflict

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    Isabelle of Bombay - Colleen Ansley

    treasures.

    PART I: Isabelle’s life in India

    1

    A Cosmic Confrontation

    Heaven is astir with unfamiliar sounds.

    Two cosmic beings are clashing over an Indian child.

    Brigid and Kali quarrel over their earthly child Isabelle of Bombay. Each considers it her sole responsibility to protect the little one. The Christian saint Brigid claims that the five-year-old girl chose her as patron. The Hindu goddess Kali asserts her right to guide and protect Isabelle, and keep a promise she made to the child’s ancestors.

    Brigid and Kali’s arguments have aroused the curiosity of other gods. Why does this earthling matter at all to Brigid and Kali? Who is the child’s rightful protector, her true guardian angel in Heaven?

    2

    Brigid vs. Kali

    The gods waste no time investigating. They look at the beautiful fair-skinned Brigid with her flaming red hair and wonder why she is so obsessively interested in an Indian child.

    Kali can never go unnoticed. Her intimidating appearance makes her stand out amid all the gods. A charcoal-black goddess, Kali has three eyes and four hands. Her scarlet tongue protrudes hideously from her mouth. Her only clothing, besides a garland of human heads, is a girdle of dead men’s hands. This fearsome-looking goddess would keep any god away!

    The gods approach St. Peter, the Christian gatekeeper of Heaven, to know more about Brigid and Kali.

    You mean that Irish maiden dressed like a nun in a white robe? Peter points to Brigid as he replies to the Norse god. She’s Ireland’s beloved saint from the fifth century, the daughter of a chieftain. You can see that she carries her family’s royal sceptre under her arm and between her palms the first cross she wove from wild rush.

    How did she win sainthood? another god asks.

    Peter relates the story of a few of Brigid’s miracles that led to her recognition as saint.

    Asked about Kali, Peter is sombre and guarded. Brow furrowed in thought, Peter says, It would be wise for Brigid to stay away from Kali and not upset her. This goddess has been worshipped for thousands of years by millions in India, she has been here much before my time.

    How do her worshippers see her? the gods are eager to know.

    Peter responds with a chuckle, Just as you see her. He adds, She’s the most exalted Hindu deity who has power over time and death. She looks terrifying but is misunderstood by many.

    Misunderstood, you say?

    Oh yes, this goddess shows motherly compassion and unconditional love towards her children. Peter then explains the symbolism of Kali’s frightful form. The extraordinary power of this ancient goddess humbles the gods. One of them comments, Oh dear, I feel sorry for Brigid. She has no idea who she is dealing with.

    Born to a Christian family in Bombay, Isabelle does not know about goddess Kali or of any other Hindu gods. At the convent school Isabelle attends, Sister Agnes reads stories on the lives of Christian saints. She has asked the children to choose a saint as their intercessor to God. From all the stories, little Isabelle likes the story about St. Brigid best. It reads,

    "Saint Brigid is the dearly loved saint of Ireland. A maiden of royal descent, she was fond of learning, clever with her hands as well as her head. She never failed to notice the hungry look in a beggar’s face as she passed him on the road. She would stop, give him a little milk and home-made bread; she took time to help any one in pain who chanced to come her way.

    Brigid grew more and more beautiful, a delight to the eye. She was fair with auburn hair, her eyes as deep and blue as the mountain lakes. Many noblemen sought to marry her, but Brigid was interested in none. There was but one Lord of her life and she had made up her mind to serve Him.

    Her father was angry at her decision and insisted that she choose a prince of noble blood and wed him. Brigid said that she had chosen the noblest Prince of all, the Lord Christ. Her family grew more and more angry. Brigid knew that God would help her and she prayed earnestly to Him. Then in His goodness God took away her beauty for a while and men seeing she was no longer fair, left her in peace.

    Brigid was consecrated to the service of God. Her fame spread over many lands because of her love for children and her gentle care for all poor mothers. Brigid’s beauty was restored to her, and love of her became deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. People learned to know the love of Christ through the tender compassion of Brigid."

    Brigid felt pleased that Isabelle chose her as patron. However, the saint discovers that Kali also claims custody over the child. Trying to assert her exclusive divine right to Isabelle, Brigid confronts the goddess.

    In the Heavens, the Brigid-Kali war of attrition over Isabelle escalates. Saint Brigid rebukes goddess Kali. Aren’t there millions of other Indian children who need your attention? Your concern for this particular child strikes me as peculiar.

    Kali retorts, "Isabelle is my child and I have a responsibility to watch over her."

    "Isabelle is your child? Ha! She doesn’t even know you. Isabelle chose me as her mediator to God."

    Her face contorting with anger, her voice resonating like thunder, Kali responds, "Isabelle’s of Indian soil. Her Christian name and dress do not make her any less Hindu. Her Hindu ancestors have worshipped me for thousands of years. I will keep the promise I made and I will never abandon my child."

    Brigid exclaims in exasperation "Isabelle’s a Christian and has chosen me. Why don’t you understand that?"

    Kali’s blood-shot eyes narrow as she goes into a deep trance. Brigid’s aggressive stance in the presence of other gods provokes her wrath. A long quiet ensues. Misreading her silence, the saint imagines that she has the better of the goddess and remarks smugly, Fortunately, Isabelle made a wise choice at such a young age.

    Kali’s bright red tongue protrudes even further against her black-as-night skin. Streaks of lightning bolt out in every direction from her three red eyes. Her body grows larger in size and her fists clench as she displays a lust for battle. She does not need to tell Brigid Get away from my child or I will harm you – her looks say it all. Kali thunders, My child will find me and choose me of her own free will without a sword put to her throat.

    Brigid does not know what Kali means or what to expect next from this terrifying deity. She had no idea of the goddess’s unusual powers. Brigid is embarrassed at being humbled in the presence of other celestial beings. She fidgets nervously. Realizing that she may have gone too far, Brigid capitulates. She is scared and wants to calm Kali down. In a gentle subdued voice, she says, I guess I’m just curious to know why you continue to watch over Isabelle.

    Conscious that she has frightened Brigid, the goddess smirks. You are a babe in our world of gods and have much to learn. Do you really want to know the answer? Kali asks as she deflates to normal size.

    Brigid humbly nods. She seizes this opportunity to get Kali to explain her interest in Isabelle.

    We’ll have to travel back five centuries to give you a quick idea of Isabelle’s ancestry. Are you prepared?

    Promptly, Brigid says, Yes. She is worried that Kali is stubborn and shows no sign of softening her stance on Isabelle. The goddess’s words "I will keep the promise I made and I will never abandon my child" torment and mystify the saint. What promise did Kali make? When, why and to whom?

    3

    Isabelle’s Ancestors: A horror disclosure

    Let’s go then, Kali declares to Brigid.

    Kali picks up some heavenly stardust, rubs it between the palms of her hands and blows on the shiny powder. A cloud of shimmering golden dust rises into the air and gradually changes into a swirling globe of the Earth. Brigid watches wide-eyed as in a matter of seconds, time moves back 500 years.

    The goddess zooms in on India as it stood during the 15th century. Its west coast and east coast gently taper down to a triangular point, giving the Deccan Plateau a shark-tooth shape. Sandy beaches carve a continuous scalloped pattern of beautiful golden bays all around India’s coastline. On the Arabian Sea close to the northwest side of the coast, seven small islands snuggle near each other. Lush vegetation on these islands stands out – green emeralds amidst the sparkling blue ocean. The islands’ beaches are dense with coconut groves. Forests of acacia, tamarind, mango and other exotic fruit-bearing trees cover the land.

    See those islands? Kali points out to Brigid, This is how they were before man linked them together to make the modern city of Bombay.

    Brigid listens fascinated as Kali continues, The Koli tribe inhabits those islands. They are fisher people who follow the Hindu religion and worship Mumbadevi as their patron goddess. Isabelle’s ancestors are Kolis. Brigid notes that Kali is tracing the child’s Hindu connection.

    Look at the north island with the long sandy beach. That’s where Isabelle’s ancestors chose to settle – the area’s called Gorai.

    So picturesque, Brigid exclaims.

    Speeding closer to land, Brigid notices that boats have just come in and that the quiet shore has turned noisy and full of activity. All sorts of instructions are being passed from one to another.

    Do you understand their language, Kali?

    Of course. They speak in their Marathi tongue. The fishermen are yelling out to the young men on the beach to get into the boats and empty the catch. They are saying that they have caught a few baby sharks and stingrays.

    Young men efficiently empty basket-loads of fish in an area on the beach reserved for this purpose. The fish tumble down in heaps. The older women shout to the teenage girls to stop their games and help them sort and clean the fish. Several hands dig into the huge piles of fish. Small shrimp are separated from larger shrimp. Pomfrets, mullets, mackerel, lobsters, and crabs are sorted into individual lots. Children watch fascinated as the large fish are carried and laid down beside each other. For the villagers, the bounty from the warm waters of the Arabian Sea means that a whole new workday has commenced.

    Brigid observes how dark the people are, constantly exposed as they are to the hot sun. She notices their attire. The fishermen don a simple square loincloth folded into a triangle that hangs from a string tied around the waist. The inner lower end of the triangular cloth has been tightly drawn between the buttocks and knotted at the back. They seem to prefer the red colour. Their apparel seems sensible for the work they do, and it’s perfect for sunny weather. Many of them sport large tattoos on their arms. They believe that tattoos will help God identify them and keep off trespassers to Heaven!

    Women wear a red checked sari draped just below their knees. The front portion of the sari has been drawn between the legs and tucked behind at the waist. A scarf over the shoulders covers their blouse. Little children wear a necklace of coral beads considered good for their health and they have a black cord tied around the waist. Most children have a black spot painted on their face to keep away the evil eye. Brigid smiles on seeing the children wandering around naked in the hot sun. They are laughing, chattering, arguing, as they run up to see fishermen drag their fishing boats, now emptied of catch, up the shore. The children join in the singing, clapping each time the boat moves forward.

    Kali points out to Brigid See that woman going out to dive? That’s Mangela but they call her Mongu. She’s Isabelle’s ancestor and an excellent diver. On hearing Isabelle’s name, Brigid perks up. For the first time, she is seeing the child’s ancestor. Then, to give her a peek into the Indian lifestyle, Kali allows her to enter Mongu’s home. The saint will now get a better idea of Isabelle’s ancestors’ family life and values.

    The home has a private place of worship. Images of strange-looking deities arouse Brigid’s curiosity. Near the patron goddess Mumbadevi is a tray of dried palm leaves containing flowers, cooked rice, fruit and sweets. In the center of the tray a wick light burns. Nearby is a bowl of water. Everywhere, the aroma of burning incense and the fragrance of jasmine.

    Mongu’s aged parents bow before the images, sip water given to the deity and eat a portion of the holy food. Brigid listens to the prayers they chant with great earnestness and devotion. Kali informs her that singing is intrinsic to Koli culture. There’s a special song for almost every ceremony or festival. The gods Mumbadevi, Hanuman, Kali and Khandoba figure repeatedly in the chants. Wait a minute, the saint wonders if she heard the name Kali. She cocks her ears and leans forward to peer at the prayer area. A black mud statue of a woman stands out. It is Kali, Brigid supposes. She asks, Is that you they are praying to?

    Kali does not respond. Brigid’s face shows her contempt for idol worship but she knows she must not antagonize the goddess and rouse her temper. She must be patient. She finds Kali’s calmness suspicious. Perhaps the goddess enjoys watching her devotees pray to her. Or perhaps she wants to provoke the saint and display her power once more. After all, Kali is also the Goddess of Time.

    Reminding herself that she journeyed back to the 15th century only because of Kali, Brigid bites her tongue to keep composed. She tells the goddess I had no idea you were so popular so many centuries ago. The saint hopes her compliment will make the goddess open up and talk about Isabelle.

    Kali is happy that the reverence she inspires has impressed Brigid. After a while, Kali says, I’ll take you forward in time so that you understand. Brigid nods enthusiastically.

    Kali stops the fast-spinning globe at the 16th century. She and Brigid once again look at the village of Gorai. To accommodate more people, more village homes were built. They differ in shape and size. They are sturdier and larger than before and have mud walls, not the thatched palm leaf huts that existed previously. Every home has a place of worship. The floors are plastered with the paste of dried cow dung mixed with water – something that keeps the place cool and, surprisingly, repels insects as well. The fishing nets stored or repaired in the veranda are conspicuous symbols of the Koli trade. Koli means ‘one who weaves a net.’

    Brigid sees the villagers congregate on the beach around several boats. Looks like some sort of rejoicing going on down there she remarks to Kali.

    "That’s right. It’s Nariyal Purnima, Coconut Day, an important festival for Isabelle’s people. It marks the end of the monsoon season and the dawn of calm weather, essential for fishermen."

    Brigid studies the geometrical patterns on the freshly painted boats. Paintings of fish and of large eyes stand out on either side of the boat’s bow. Garlands of green mango leaves and orange marigold flowers hang from the boats. Decorated coconuts lie heaped up within the boats. Kali informs Brigid that the festival is dedicated to the sea god Varuna. He is delighted when the fisher folk throw offerings of coconuts into the sea. The men implore the god for bountiful supplies of fish during the coming season.

    As the fishermen get ready to board their boats, the villagers chant, clap and dance. Kali zooms in on a family standing near a boat aglow with the painted image of lotus flowers. She informs Brigid That pregnant woman is Shimgi, she’s the direct descendant of Mongu. She’s 19 and expecting her second child.

    Brigid’s interest deepens with the awareness of Isabelle’s lineage. She watches Shimgi give her two-year-old son a chunk of coconut sweet. Then Shimgi puts a piece in her husband’s mouth before he boards the boat. He munches on it happily and whispers to his wife.

    What’s he saying? Brigid asks. Kali replies, He’s saying that the sweet is delicious and that she’s starting to cook like his mother. Shimgi blushes. Her husband Gopal lifts his son, gives him a kiss and a hug and tousles his thick black hair before putting him down.

    Leaning towards Brigid, Kali tells her about a lucky black birthmark near the child’s right eye. At least one family member of every generation since Mongu, has inherited such a mark. It brings prosperity and good fortune says Kali. Brigid takes a long look at the beautiful black spot.

    As Shimgi watches Gopal prepare to leave, her eyes well up with tears. Gopal looks at his wife and speaks to her affectionately.

    Kali translates, He is telling his wife she shouldn’t cry on a festival day. It’s not one of those long fishing trips. He’ll be back before sunset. He asks her to keep a close eye on their playful little son and keep smiling.

    Brigid can’t help but remark, You can feel the love in that family.

    Shimgi looks proudly at her handsome strapping husband Gopal climbing aboard his boat. He breaks a coconut at the prow of the boat as an offering before taking off. The children on the beach rejoice and dance. The womenfolk and the elders sing and wave to their men. Gopal propels the boat away from the shore with a long pole as he waves to his family. Wife, son, parents and sister wave back to him till he’s out of sight. The villagers continue to celebrate on shore, with sweets and songs.

    Brigid keeps close track of Isabelle’s ancestors. First, it was Mongu the good diver. A century later it is Shimgi, her husband Gopal and his family. Brigid looks at Shimgi’s little son happily dancing as he tries to imitate the older children. All that he wears is a black cord around his waist. The saint notices the birthmark near his right eye and recalls the superstition. She is pleased that tradition in the community is alive and well.

    The afternoon sun burns hot, and walking in the sand becomes uncomfortable. The children feel the heat as they no longer walk but hop, skip and run. Families return to their homes for lunch and their afternoon siesta. At this time of day, they always remain indoors in the cool shade of their homes. Shimgi consoles herself that soon after her afternoon nap her husband will return from the ceremony. Contentedly, she lies down on the floor mat with her tired son who has already fallen asleep.

    An hour later, a strange rumbling sound fills the air. Shimgi tosses around wondering what the noise is about. The sound gets louder every minute. A few curious villagers stumble out of their homes on to the beach. Shimgi’s father-in-law, Ramu, also leaves to find out what’s going on. The noise soon resembles that of a thunderous gallop. A few minutes later, the pounding from horses’ hooves becomes evident. Shimgi ignores the sound and continues to lie down with her son.

    The horsemen quickly become visible to the villagers on the shore. In no time a dozen riders approach, bringing their horses to an abrupt halt. The surprised villagers spread out in fear and confusion. Some horses snort, some froth at the mouth and some kick up sand from under their hooves. The animals seem restless after a long run.

    The villagers on the beach keep their distance from the riders who do not look friendly. Observing the riders’ white skin, they whisper to one another white people, white people. They had heard of such a race but had never seen them. This is their first encounter. They notice that one of the riders is a dark-skinned native. The villagers believe that he must be from further south where white men were said to have inhabited the area.

    On command from the white riders, the native rider speaks to the villagers in their Marathi language Don’t try running, hiding or resisting these men. Just do what they say. If you don’t cooperate, there’ll be severe punishment.

    Studying the riders, Brigid tells Kali These are Europeans, they must be the Portuguese.

    Indeed, they are, Kali confirms. The riders are hired by missionaries to help them in their conversion process. Brigid is mystified at Kali’s comment.

    The villagers do not know what to expect and wonder why they are being threatened. They notice that the riders are armed with swords. The villagers are unprotected and afraid as most of their young men are out at sea. What the native rider said indicates trouble ahead. Prompted by the white riders, he inquires, Where are the rest of your men and your families?

    The villagers remain silent. Shimgi’s father-in-law, Ramu, is one of them. He did not leave on the boat with the men as his son Gopal represented his family for the ceremonial occasion. Ramu stands in front of the villagers facing the riders. With his robust body, his maturity and poise, he looks like a leader, the village chief. His astute eyes scan the native rider who appears irritated. Then Ramu questions, Why do you ask? You know that today is our festival and the men are out at sea. How much did they pay you to bring them here? You traitor! Ramu spits in disgust.

    The native rider stares back arrogantly and defiantly at Ramu. He rides his horse around the panic-stricken people herding them together on the beach. The other riders laugh as they see the native rider taunt his own people. He declares to Ramu The riders will be searching all your homes while you remain here. He turns and talks to his group of riders.

    Eight riders leave to search the village homes. On dismounting, they tie the reins of their horses to the trunks of coconut trees. The village was quiet till the riders came. The women, the elder folk and the children are taking a nap after their hectic morning festive activities. The riders are hardly subtle with their entry into the homes. They kick down closed doors.

    Rudely awakened, the residents are stunned and startled. The riders brazenly search the homes. As soon as they notice the little areas of worship they remove their swords, destroy the shrines and slash the mud deities. The families shout, scream and cry. They can’t believe this nightmare. The riders slap and kick the residents; they don’t care whether the person is young or old, man, woman or child. Those refusing to leave are mercilessly beaten and dragged outside. The riders instruct them to wait there silently or face further punishment. The poor folk leave their homes shaking with dread while still-sleepy children cry out in fear and confusion.

    Ramu and the other villagers on the shore hear the screams emanating from the village. They instinctively turn towards the village, but a couple of riders menacingly brandish their swords and hold them back. The native rider gives Ramu a sneering look as he trots around on his horse.

    Making certain that there are no men left within the house, some riders molest the young women there. Some are raped. Mothers and grandparents are forced outdoors by the sword-bearing invaders. One of the girls raped by several men is Ramu’s daughter Lata, a 13-year-old child. Shimgi will never forget the helpless screams of her little sister-in-law. She and her mother-in-law screamed and cried because they could not save the innocent young girl.

    Before leaving the homes, the barbarians ensure the destruction of every household shrine and idol in sight. Children cry in panic. The riders had expected to battle with the village men when they visited the homes. They were relieved to see only a few village men and wondered where the remaining men had gone. Their hired native interpreter certainly did his job. He got the riders to arrive at the village at the right time, when they faced no resistance, making their work easy.

    Done with their destruction and abuse, the riders now demand food for themselves and their horses. The sobbing, abused and terrified women quickly bring out whatever they had prepared. Food that they made with so much love for the festival dinner has now to be served to this gang of thugs. Women fearfully carry rice, chapattis, fish curry, vegetables and fruit to them. Since it is the festival day they have cooked plenty of food and coconut sweet dishes too. The men eat like a horde of starving animals. They feed their horses too. When the riders finish eating, they exchange places with the other riders on the beach.

    Shimgi helps the other women to serve the food. The men had eyed her. However, her noticeably pregnant condition and her clinging two-year-old son saved her. Instead, they pushed her from the house and chose her young sister-in-law Lata. Shimgi wished that her father-in-law Ramu had not left the home earlier to investigate the noise. Perhaps, he could have fought these savages and saved his daughter. Shimgi worries about how Ramu will react, how her husband Gopal will behave when they find out what happened to Lata. Shimgi tries to put the whole painful incident out of her mind.

    A weird silence descends. Only the sounds of the men eating and of the incoming waves are audible. Children are tired from screaming and crying. Some sit quietly in a corner with tear-dried faces dazed from the turmoil. Frail older people sit stunned. Teenagers tremble in a corner not knowing what to expect next. Relatives quietly comfort assaulted family members. Shimgi’s mother-in-law attends to her abused child.

    Brigid had never expected to witness such horror. She is quite aghast, but comforts herself with the thought that Kali plans to lead her somewhere and the worst must be over.

    The riders continue to restrain the people on the shore who are exhausted from such a long wait in the hot sun. Some sit on the burning hot sand. Some have fainted from heat, from fear and from thirst. They heard the cries and screams from their families but were unable to help them. Ramu had made another brave attempt but he was quickly held back at the point of a sword. The villagers on the beach wonder what the riders did to make their women and children cry. What are these strangers seeking from them? They had lived a peaceful and happy life as long as they can remember. Now, their peace has been shattered.

    Boats appear slowly, silhouetted against the horizon. The fishermen return after being out at sea for a few hours. They have no idea what they are about to encounter. They have been singing. The songs grow louder as they near the shore. The villagers feel a moment of hope but are concerned for their unarmed men and worry for their safety on arrival.

    The last riders devouring the food in the village can hear the sounds of rejoicing from the arriving boats. They know that the

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