Part 2 Summary

The second chapter of A SUITABLE BOY deals with the conflict between Muslims and Hindus as the Muslim courtesan, Saeeda Bai Firozabadi entertains at a party on the event of Holi, a Hindu festival. The festival which features throwing of bright colored pigments on people is thoroughly enjoyed by the younger Hindus but often upsetting to the older generation who happen to get saturated with color. There is a great deal of "bhang" (an Indian alcoholic beverage) passed around during Holi, and Maan Kapoor has a decided taste for the drink. Attending the party at the Kapoor residence, Maan first becomes aware of Saeeda Bai and is immediately infatuated with her. Aside from her recitals at parties, Saeeda Bai is more or less kept by the Raja of Marh, a fact that does not hamper Maan's infatuation. Lata and Kabir had been to...