Introduction:
The present novel ‘Fire on the Mountain’ presents the psychological study of three women characters as Nanda Kaul, Raka and Ila Das who had their different mental bent of mind. Nanda Kaul who is the main character in the novel had lived a very happy life in her youth when her husband was the Vice Chancellor of the Punjab University. After the death of her husband and the marriage and settlement of her children, she decided to live a retired, peaceful and lonely life at Kasauli as an ideal place among the hills. At that time she had completed all her duties and worldly affairs. It is true that she had lived a glorious childhood and happy married life, yet she had a strong desire to live a peaceful life. Raka was sent to Nanda Kaul by her grandmother, Asha for the care and company of her great grandmother. Ila Das was a young woman with her deformed body and tragic death in the end.
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| Fire on the Mountain, Compare and Contrast Nanda Kaul and Raka |
The False Fears of both Nanda Kaul and Raka:
Nanda Kaul received a letter from her daughter, Asha informing her that she was sending her granddaughter, Raka to her because her mother, Tara was going to Geneva to improve her relations with her husband, Rakesh. Raka who was sufferings from typhoid could not go with her mother. After getting that information Nanda Kaul felt much disturbed because she did not like her as an outsider to disturb her peaceful life.
Ultimately Nanda Kaul had to accept Raka as her new responsibility. Then she did not remember what should be cooked for the little child. After some discussion Ramlal, her cook proposed to make potato chips for the child. As soon as Raka arrived there, the fears of Nanda Kaul proved false because Raka did not disturb her in any way.
Raka was not an ordinary child. If Nanda Kaul accepted her not without demure, Raka also ignored her great grandmother out - and - out. She remained indifferent to her and she also disliked her company. “Raka ignored her. She ignored her so calmly, so totally that it made Nanda Kaul breathless.” Nanda Kaul felt restless because Raka did not make any demands, not even food for herself . She became more nervous when she found her having a great intimacy with Ramlal but she did not show any interest in her great grandmother. In this way their fears proved baseless because neither of the two needed mutual help or company.
Nanda Kaul and Raka as Ascetics:
Nanda Kaul thought that she had done a great act by renouncing the world but Raka disturbed her in her lonely life. It is necessary to mention that Raka was a recluse by her nature and instincts. It is clear from these words from the text of the novel, “If Nanda Kaul was recluse out of vengeance for a long life of duty and obligation, her great grand - daughter was a recluse by nature and by instinct. She had not at this condition by a long route of rejection and sacrifice. She was born to it simply” Nanda Kaul had a higher vision with a nobler soul than those of Raka. The old woman regarded the child also as a perfect model what she herself was. Raka was the personification of some virtues and she did not make any demands to the old lady. She needed nothing. She wanted only one thing to be left alone and free to follow the life of her own views . She had a strong desire to wander among the hills and the pine trees of Kasauli. Her greatness even humbled Nanda Kaul to a great measure. Nanda Kaul felt small and unimportant before Raka who was certainly the child of Nature. Both of them wished to be one with Nature. Raka wandered among the hills and pine trees. She went up to the Monkey Point where she felt herself at the top of the world. “She was higher than the eagles higher than Kasauli and Sanawar and all other hills. They were as low and soft as banks of golden moss far below.” Nanda Kaul had never felt such joy.
Raka's Humanitarianism had surprised Nanda Kaul:
It is necessary to mention that Raka's humanitarianism had surprised Nanda Kaul. Its reason was that she was not only a lover of Nature and humanity but she was also a recluse in the true sense. She had become very happy when she had seen a complete snake on a rock. Again she became very happy after hearing the music of crickets. She had never heard such sweet music anywhere before that. Such feelings showed her love for animals, small insects and Nature.
On the other hand, Nanda Kaul was an environmentalist. When she went out with Raka she showed her Pasteur Institute saying that it was once a beautiful cottage. She added that there was once the most beautiful garden in Kasauli but it was turned into a billet by the army. She added that the tourists had scratched their names on the trees. She lamented that, “Too many tourists, too much army. How they are running this - this quiet place.” She felt much worried for the environment while Raka loved Nature out - and - out .
Raka was against going to a Boarding School:
It is necessary to mention that Raka was against going to a boarding school where her great grandmother wished to send her for her education. Then Nanda Kaul suggested her to go to a boarding school at Sanawar but the idea irritated Raka so much that she went upto the Monkey Point. Its reason was that she regarded Nature as a better teacher. She had also visited the club where she found women dressed as Queens and men dressed as Princes. Ramlal had told her when she saw men and women drinking and dancing like mad persons , so she became very unhappy . Ramlal had suggested her that she should play with little children of her age.
Nanda Kaul had great admiration for Raka:
The close study of the present novel, ‘Fire on the Mountain’ shows that Nanda Kaul had great admiration for Raka because the old lady regarded the little child perfectly like herself. The great qualities of Raka were not hidden from Nanda Kaul for a long time. Then she said to Raka in clear words, “Raka, you really are a great grand - child of mine; aren't you? You are more like me than any of my children, or grandchildren. You are exactly like me.” Raka felt that it was not the correct assessment, so she “pinched her face in distaste.” Its reason was that the little girl regarded herself as an improved person than her great grandmother.
Raka had come to Carignano by chance, uninvited and unwelcomed but she had “fitted in quietly and unobtrusively as an invited mouse or cricket.” The old lady was so much impressed by Raka that she thought of bequeathing Carignano to Raka because she had all the virtues of an ideal girl. Thus, Raka had become successful in winning the heart of Nanda Kaul.