Critical Analysis of "Raat vari huri Chalyo" or 'Long Night Storm' by Indra Bahadur Rai

Understanding Indrabahadur Rai's later work indeed requires a good amount of re-reading while his initial texts requires detail analysis, as these are based on Social realism, consisting multiple layers of reading. His earlier anthology 'Bipana Kati paya' contained 23 short stories and the first story we find in it is "Raat vari huri Chalyo".

 As the name suggest this story revolves around the occurence of storm and its impact over the characters with certain background as focused by Rai. Including some minor characters bringing different shades to the story and locating the protagonist's position in society in relation to them. Only character with a name is काले/Kale,(which too can be contested as it may be the nickname given to the boy)and every other characters are addressed solely by their relationship with someone else, it typically reflects a social or cultural context where relationships or roles are more emphasized than singular identity.

SUMMARY:

This story captures the complex emotion and human experiences that arise in the face of nature's fury.

It is set against the backdrop of a relentless storm that rages throughout the night and narration delves into the psychological and emotional states of the characters as they cope up with this storm.

THEME:

The story often explores the theme of human vulnerability, class difference, the strugglefor survival and interconnectedness of human lives.

CHARACTERS:

कालेकी आमा / Kale's mother

कालेको बाबु / Kale's father

काले र बहिनी / Kale and his sister

ठुलेकी आमा / Thulae's mother

नानीको आमा / child's mother 

दोरंगिनी / Inspector's Wife

बाबुनी / Master's wife

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The beginning of the story writes,

"छानामा ठोकेको मट्टीतेलका टीनहरूलाई हावाले फेरि 'खल्टाङ - खल्टाङ खट्- खट् खल्टाङखल्टाङ' गर्दै एकोहोरो तौरले हल्लाउन थालेको छ। छप्परै उड़ाएर लैजाला भन्ने मनभित्रबाट डर लागेर आउछ।"

The foremost aspect of this story deals with living condition of these characters, the detail and graphic narrative technique of IB Rai paints a vivid lower class couple with two kids (Kale and his sister), upholding their lives by farming the land and selling milk brought from two cows whom they care the most. The roof of the house is made of 'टीन', a kerosene container, which were only affordable item available for lower class people who barely had money to spend on proper tin roof.

Similary, 'ढिब्री' shows the lack of electricity in the rural area of that time. As Rai himself believed that 'stories' are generated from what we have already experienced, and this is an instance, lived and experienced by not just the author himself but common people of that time period. And perhaps this is the truth still prevalent around certain rural area of hill regions.

This pictorial narrative presents a dusky, gloomy scene in which characters struggle to cope with the rain and wind, leading a couple to blame each other. This reflects a natural human tendency to express frustration when faced with uncontrollable circumstances. The story, however, feels familiar and relatable to individuals with a rational mindset. In particular, the people of Darjeeling may find themselves immersed in this historical timeline, and find themselves to be the part due to its colloquial language and local settings.

The internal monologue of the protagonist and storm has intimate connection. As the storm not only brings instability in thoughts but also stands as a metaphor for unpredictable nature, involving challenges and adversities that is thrown at you. It is a struggle against forces beyond the human control. A storm occuring not just outside but also inside the protagonist's mind. The narrative delves into pyschological states of character exploring fears, hopes and emotional turmoil. One such instance is,

"यो बारी लिएको दिनदेखि फुर्सदको नाम छैन आफुलाई। औंलाहरू हँसियाले काटेर, हत्केला गोबर र धूलोले चिरिएर देखाइसक्नु छैन। जीउ-जीउ झुम्रो भएर गइसक्यो। एक दिन घर छाड्न सकिंदैन, टाढ़ा घुम्न जाने कुरा त असम्भवको इच्छा। यत्तिकै जोतिएर मर्नुपर्छ..."

 Her reflection of herself and recent event with the storm is mirroring negative image. As she compares herself with Dorangini/inspector's wife:

"दोरंगिनीलाई उसले हेर्दै लगी- कृति सफा लुगाफाटा, कति सेतो अनुहार, हातहरू कति राम्रा। उसको लोग्नेलाई सुख छ, घरभरि चौकी-पलडहरू र दराजमा सारीहरू। माटो हिलो छुनुपर्दैन, हावा-पानीदेखि डराउनुपर्दैन।" 

As it is said, 'grass is always greener on the other side of the wall.' She finds Dorangini's life content and better in every aspect. The materials she possess or chores she requires to do, in comparison to hers. No doubt, Rai subtly critiques the social structures and disparities that excerbates the suffering of marginalised.

Rai's use of imagery and symbolism are exceptional, due to its cinematic visualisation and presentation through narration. The choice of objects are too ordinary yet carries greater significance from the lens of a meangingful reader.

"शंकाको निवारणमा घरभित्र डोकोले छोपेको ठूलो भाले पखेटा भ्याट्-भ्याट् गर्दै बास्यो- "कुखुरी-काँ,"

The kind liberation kale's parents were hoping after terrible night at house is parallel to the description presented here.

Rai uses Imitative words (onomatopoeic) or अनुकरण शब्द more often in this story, such as, 'खल्टाङ खट्- खट् खल्टाङ-खल्टाङ', 'ध-र-र-र', 'थ्याच्च', 'हुरूरूरू',generating the most expressive narration. 

Finally, after arriving at BB Gurung's house she gets to know about Child's Mother/नानीको आमा, who slipped on the way while searching for her white cat, and currently on critical condition. This particular event marks the turning point for the storm to cease. Although the child's mother lives in the bazaar and enjoys a relatively comfortable life compared to Kale's mother, she shares the same concern for animals. However, there is a notable difference: the white cat, unlike Kale's mother's two cows, does not provide sustenance through milk and remains unbothered and cozy by the stove even after its owner's death. Kale's mother resolves to stay on her rural farmland, concluding that death is inevitable and will come regardless of place or circumstance. While the storm did not claim Kale's family, a simple slip took away the child's Mother within few hour. This reassurance to her condition is a portrayal of most marginalised community, who despite being in terrible condition come into terms with it and continues living their lives in misery.

CONCLUSION: The story cannot be exhaustively analyzed in a single piece of writing, as it lends itself to multiple interpretations and perspectives. It is ultimately the reader's responsibility to determine the trajectory of its interpretation.

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