Introduction:
Ramlal was the domestic servant of Nanda Kaul. Though he was not assigned any important duty, yet he became an important character due to his intimacy with Raka after his arrival at Carignano. First of all, he thought like Nanda Kaul that the child would disturb the domestic peace. After receiving the letter from Asha, Nanda Kaul told Ramlal about Raka's arrival. Both of them became nervous because they did not know what should be cooked for Raka because neither knew about the taste of that child. At last Ramlal decided to prepare potato chips for Raka and Nanda Kaul also supported him. Ramlal said, “She is old, I am old. We are old, old.” Both of them feared how they would carry on with that child.
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| Fire on the Mountain | Role of Ramlal in the Life of Raka | |
It is necessary to mention that Nanda Kaul had been living a retired and peaceful life at Carignano, so she did not like that Raka should be a disturbance to her. Ramlal also thought in the same way like his mistress, Nanda Kaul.
His Positive Attitude:
The close study of the present novel, ‘Fire on the Mountain’ shows that Ramlal had the quality of having a positive attitude. This is the reason that he did not feel as nervous as Nanda Kaul after the arrival of Raka there. He did not lose his peace of mind. Nanda Kaul sent him to fetch Raka from the taxi stand. He was the first to meet Raka and he brought her to Carignano. Nanda Kaul showed a very cold attitude to the little girl from the beginning because she regarded her “an intruder, an outsider and a mosquito flown up from the plains to tease and worry.” On the other hand, Ramlal was free from such prejudices. He became a good guide to Raka about her future life around Kasauli. He made her his friend because the little girl was kept at a distance by Nanda Kaul. Raka also did not like her great grandmother.
Ramlal supported Raka out - and - out:
It is necessary to mention that Ramlal started supporting Raka out - and - out. He told her about Pasteur Institute which manufactured vaccine for dog - bite. He added that he was given fourteen injections when he was bitten by a mad dog. He further said that the institute was doing a very useful service to the people of that area. He gave a warning to Raka that she should not go to the ravines because the ghosts of the people who had died of dog - bite and snake - bite roamed near the hills. He added that mad dogs and jackals moved about. He inter-mixed reality with imagination to increase the horror of that place. It is necessary to mention that Raka as an explorer did not feel any fear by the description of Ramlal.
Raka as the Confidant of Ramlal:
The close study of the present novel ‘Fire on the Mountain’ shows that Raka and Ramlal were very intimate to each other. Nanda Kaul had sent Ramlal to the taxi stand to fetch Raka to Carignano because the old lady did not show any interest in her arrival to her house. On the other hand, she regarded her only as a disturbance to her retired, peaceful and lonely life. Raka visited the ravine and she reported to none but to Ramlal that she had seen a full and complete cobra for the first time in her life. She was still curious to see the jackals because Ramlal had aroused her curiosity about the jackals. So she had a strong desire to see them.
Raka was also curious to see many other things on the mountains. When the little girl was talking to Ramlal, suddenly, a dust - storm started rising, so Ramlal pushed Raka into the kitchen so that she might not be caught into the dust storm. Raka also wanted to see the forest fire as described by Ramlal who used to inform her about the incidents and accidents which used to take place at Kasauli. Raka could see the forest fire from a distance when she had gone with Nanda Kaul. She had heard the cries of animals.
Ramlal as a Guide to Raka:
When Ramlal told Raka about the forest fire and some animals beside the mountain Raka became very curious to see the forest fire and jackals. He acted as a guide to Raka because as an elderly man he had full knowledge about the incidents of that area as well as about the forest beasts. He told the little girl with the authority of a guide, if not as a guardian that she should not go alone to see the jackals because they often went mad, and if they bit her she would have to go to the Pasteur Institute to get fourteen injections in the stomach. He added that the jackals were as dangerous as cobras. He further advised her to go to the club and play with the children of her age.
Ramlal informed Raka about the Reality:
One night when the band beat, Raka slipped out of the house and went down the hill - side. She saw some boys playing billiard and then she remembered what Ramlal had told her about the fancy dressed in which the ladies dressed as Queens and men dressed as Princes. They used to drink freely and dance joyfully. Raka did not feel much interested in the band music and the ball dance of men and women together because she regarded them immoral. She preferred wandering among the hills. It is true that she hated those men and women who were dancing like monkeys in the club. Ramlal had also informed her about their hollow culture. He also informed her about some interesting places which Raka liked to see. A great change came into the behaviour of Raka who started paying attention to her great grandmother's talk. Thus, Ramlal proved to be an intimate friend, useful guide and favourable supporter of Raka.