Myths, Science & Fiction at Bashipur Village

Every time I use to take a bit of halt at Gurap more while driving through express highway towards Burdwan or Bankura.   There are two to three tea stalls ready to serve passersby with fresh tea according to their choice. It gives pleasure to chat with the people crowded at stalls and sipping tea  comfortably on charpais.  We see the green fields,  enjoy the breeze   and look at the beautiful  artifacts of colorful designs.  Those artefacts are brought by the artists from neighboring place. One pair of big size  horse pairs cost about Rs.500.00. However, there are also items of lower value. I saw people come and take designed horses  with little bargaining and move  on van. On curiosity I came to know these horses go to Bashipur. These are offered to the Pir Majar. They fondly offer as because have been cured from bone-fracture by the grace of Pir. 

I got  myths about the Pir.  The Pir had miracle powers. Before leaving the earth he transmitted the power to some Mallik a century back.  Surprisingly the Mallicks are Bagdi and belong to schedule tribe. Now Mallik family has been extended, there are three families who use to treat bone-factures in the name of Pir.  I met many who have been cured. I  have had an interest to see what is happening there.

Bashipur village is visible from the Gurap more.  Finally ,the chance of visiting  came yesterday. I started towards the village. It’s not too far.  A zigzag road   extended from the Gurap more to the village. I had no difficulty to reach there. There were many who were rushing to the spot, and  I followed them.

There were long queue in-front of    Nimai Mallik's residence. Three men were busy in treating  patients. I saw a women wailing from pain at her hands.. the hand was swollen. The quacks cum healer examined  her  and tied the hand with creeps. By that time the lady stopped crying.  Then, I found a patient  plastered  in arms. The healer cut it with scissors. The patient was scolded as he did not bring the X-Ray report. However, he was examined and tied with the creeper.  I was surmised that the fractured one switched over from modern treatment to indigenous one.  Charge of treatment is minimum. Only Rs.10  per visit. Normally one has to pay two to three visits depending upon the kind of fracture. Every case  was examined and treated by the skilled Mallick within  5 to 10 minutes.

I paid a visit to the Majar. The majar is maintained by the Mallick family.  This was an additional information to me. All the villagers of Bashipur are Hindus but have strong faith upon the Pir. In every Friday they make special prayer and ask  for his blessings.

I thought, people are coming here as today’s treatment cost in a doctor’s chamber is high and beyond their pockets.  Sooner, that wave  waded ,  I saw a couple getting down from a car and having  a look of  richness. They offered  to the majar. On dialogue I came to know that the lady had severe back pain and  could not  recovered despite treatment from the reputes at Kolkata. The women got relived from the medicine given from here. Nabakumar told me that they are also treating people suffering from arthritis.

“ What medicine do you give them?”

-“ We prepare a medicine from herbs and give it in liquid form. On every day before Jumma we keep these filled in bottles in front of the Pir.  After Namaz we collect these and give to the patients.”

Again, I was fixed with myths, skills and herbs. Next ,i visited the chamber of Shyamapada Mallik.  I met a mid-aged women who came from a long distance. She showed her fractured leg,  and according to her statement she is recovering.

On discussion, Nabakumar Majhi, the relations of Mallik family  said:

“  We are practicing it for more than a century. People from different parts including Jharkhand,Bihar & Uttarpradesh  do come here for treatment.  Skill is required for bone-fracture  treatment. The herb what we use is an excellent one. This herb joins the bones and reduces the pain. “

 We saw the herbs. Naba told us “ Now these plants are extinct here, we have to collect it from Burdwan, Banura etc. Everyday we require four bags ( potato-bags).”

-        “ why are you not growing here?” –i asked.

-        “ we tried  but failed. Herbs do not take sizes as we use.

We had limited time. We back to the Gurap more for another cup of tea, A young boy was there. He came fromShantipur and would go to Bashipur. The guy made an accident , he fell down from a high building while working at Hydrabad. He was admitted in a Hospital there. Being dissatified with the treatment he visited Bashipur. Now, he has been improving.

We started for Burdwan. I could not understand the myths or stories but I feel  Bashipur healers are experts and skilled ones. The herb needs more researches.