Mehta Gullie by Ved Prakash Mehta summary

 

Satavahana university Karimnagar

III year Sem 6- Unit 17

Mehta Gullie

Ved Prakash Mehta

1.Explain the significance of Mehta Gullie in Ved’s memories.

2.Describe the children's experience at their grandparents' house

3) Explain the significance of flying kites in Ved's childhood

4) Write character sketch of Ved's sister Pom. 

5) what impression of Ved do you get after reading this section of his autobiography.? Explain in detail. 

About the author:-

The present lesson is an extract from Face to Face, an autobiography by Ved Prakash Mehta (1934–2021). It is a vivid description of his cheerful childhood memories spent at Mehta Gullie, a street in Lahore city where all the Mehta families live. Ved became blind at the age of four because of cerebrospinal meningitis. He overcame his disability and established himself as an American Indian novelist in the 20th century. He obtained an MA degree from Harvard University. He continued his education with the help of books in braille script and Eugene Rose, a student reader. Some of his notable books are Face to Face: An Autobiography (1957), Daddyji (1972), Portrait of India (1970), A Family Affair: India Under Three Prime Ministers (1982), and A Ved Mehta Reader: The Craft of the Essay (1998). His first book, Face to Face, was published in 1957.

In this extract Ved explores his memories of Mehta Gullie, a street in Lahore, which holds a special place for him.

Though the narrator played with many children in the Gullie, he had a close bond with the children of his father’s younger brother, who were about his age and had the same interests. Yog was the leader of the Mehta children's group, who controlled and sometimes acted as a judge or played a big brother role in settling issues during the games. Kite flying was the most popular sport in Lahore at the time of Ved’s childhood. The narrator gives a lively account of his experiences with the children during kite-flying games. Yogi instructed a group of three or four children to shout "Bow-Catta" when a kite string broke during a tussle. The rule was that if someone had placed both hands on a fallen kite, it would be his property. Boys often broke the laid-down rules while snatching the fallen kite. It was rare to find an undamaged, fallen kite among the naughty group. The narrator was enthusiastic about running in the direction of kite hunters to catch the falling kite, listening to their shouts, but kite hunters would forbid him to follow them. In the play, he forgot his handicap and enjoyed the company of the boys. It was rare to find an undamaged, fallen kite among the naughty group. The narrator was enthusiastic about running in the direction of kite hunters to catch the falling kite, listening to their shouts, but kite hunters would forbid him to follow them. During the play, he forgot his handicap and enjoyed the company of the boys.

The narrator explains his bitter experience while kite hunting and how he once had a narrow escape from a two-storey fall. His sisters were horrified to see him moving from roof to roof. They shouted that he must stop. Ved lost his sense of balance and started sliding on the roof. Luckily, he regained balance and missed the fall.

Upon learning of this incident, his mother did not allow him to play outside of the house. His sister Pom was thirteen years old and was respected by both the boys and girls in the group. The narrator talks about Bhabiji, his grandmother, who used to narrate vividly the Ramayana and other moral stories. Before going to bed, children gathered in Bhabiji's room. The children were eager listeners to Bhabili’s bedtime stories, though they were tired after playing until dusk. Her stories varied from Lion and Shepherd, Lalaji's life on the farm, and stories about Ram and Sita. After listening to the folktales, they would return home refreshed and promise themselves to live up to the ideals of Ram and Sita. But the next day they were fighting again over fallen kites.

Ved’s brother Om felt insulted when he was hit by his grandfather with a cane in the absence of their parents. Enraged Pom gathered all her siblings together and left the house that very night, giving a clear indication that they could not tolerate such an insult. They reached Lawrence Gardens around eight o’clock and decided to spend the whole night under a tall tree. Ved wanted his sister to inform someone about their leaving home so that their grandfather might apologize or plead with them not to leave. Finally, to his great relief, their uncle and servants spotted the six siblings and scolded them for causing so much trouble. Sister Pom didn't move until her uncle assured her that grandfather would make apology to brother Om. Then all six children joined hands and with uncle and servants headed towards their grandfather's house in the Mehta Gullie. 

Ved's sisters - Pom, Nimi, Umi and Usha

Ved's brother - Om

Ved's cousins (his father's younger brother children) - Yog, Shil and Lil

Answer the questions in 75 words

 1) What was Ved's family's reaction on his arrival? ( JUNE 2022 SU) 

They were excited about Ved's arrival, and the whole family met him at the Lahore railway station. Ved soon forgot his apprehensions after witnessing a lively and energetic atmosphere. 

2) How did Ved fly kites with the boys? ( May 2023 SU) 

Kite flying was the most popular sport in Lahore at the time of Ved’s childhood. Ved was enthusiastic about running in the direction of kite hunters to catch the falling kite, listening to their shouts, but kite hunters would forbid him to follow them. Yog posted all the boys at different stations, and a long cry of 'Bow- Catta' would resound in the surroundings as soon as a string broke. Everyone would rush to catch the fallen kite. Occasionally, during the process of catching the fallen kite, fights would break out. The rule was that if someone had placed both hands on the fallen kite, it was his property. But rules were often broken. In the play, he forgot his handicap and enjoyed the company of the boys.

3) Did Ved fall from the roof? Why? 

No, but he came close to a very disastrous fall.  His sisters warned him as he climbed from one roof to another. The narrator explains his bitter experience while kite hunting and how he once had a narrow escape from a two-storey fall.  His sisters were horrified to see him moving from roof to roof. They shouted that he must stop. They shouted that he must stop. Ved lost his sense of balance and started sliding on the tin roof. Luckily, he regained his balance and missed the fall. 

His mother refused to allow him to play outside of the house after learning of this incident.

4) Which values did the children learn from Bhabiji.? 

The children returned home in the evening for dinner at eight thirty. Before going to bed, there was another treat at the Mehta Gulllie, i.e., stories told by Bhabiji, Ved's father's mother. 

Children learned moral values from Bhabiji's Ramayana stories. The bedtime stories also include Lalaji's life on the farm, the lion and dishonest shepherd story, and the stories of Ram and Sita, the personifications of virtue. She highlighted the war between Ram and Rawan as a fight between good and evil. 

5) Why was Om punished by Grandfather?.( May 2023 SU) 

Ved's father went on an inspection trip along with his mother and left his children under the supervision of his sister Pom. Ved's brother, Om, teased his grandfather for the promised sweets. In the absence of their parents, Om felt offended when his grandfather struck him with a cane. Om complained to his sister, Pom, about the beating. Enraged, Pom gathered all her siblings together and left the house that very night, giving a clear indication that they could not tolerate such an insult. Six children reached Lawrence Garden around eight 'o'clock. As soon as Ved heard call of one of his servants, all were awake. His uncle with servants came to them and scolded. They took all the six children to home.