Other Lives

A young couple journeys to a village near Dibrugarh, traversing virtually the entire length and breadth of the state of Assam to reach their destination. For Anima, the wife, this is the first trip to her in-laws' place although they have been married for some time, and this is also the first time that she is going to experience village life. the journey is prolonged and taxing, although there is abundant compensation on the way in the form of unique natural sounds and sights that they glimpse while travelling on boats and bullock-carts. There is a lot of warmth and hospitality in store for Anima in the village too, and she takes to new life spontaneously despite the inevitable inconveniences of rural existence.

The remote village nestles in the lap of nature, and the city-bred Amina is delighted by the freshness and novelty of it all. However, she also wakes up to the fact that to the women of the village, things are far from idyllic, as they have to face abuse and exploitation of various kinds in a deeply entrenched patriacal order. In particular, the tragic story of Rambha Khuri shocks and saddens Anima. When she meets the spirited and idealistic feminist Putali, and learns that there are men too who are against the exploitation of women, Anima realizes that there is hope on the horizon, and she returns to her city life in a more tranquil frame of mind.