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Did it Happen at all
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bishuburp Did it happen at all ?
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1967 A.D. Last evening of Chaitra. Sorry, no Chaitra Sale.. Even if it were there my family couldn't afford. Mamma ( my pop's mom) then a ripe octogenarian used to put up a small earthen pot , make a small hole at the bottom, put two straws in it and hang it on a temporary stand above the tulsi plant. Yes, every home back then had tulsi plants. Every evening a brass oil lamp would be lit at the base of the plant & conch shell blown three times. Anyway, the pot would be dripping water well into the first day of the next year. I wonder if any family does it now in 2016. We don't. We are far too knowledgeable and pragmatic.We know much.. thanks to the internet & our stuffed school/college syllabi.
A blob of Chhatu would be kneaded with milk, sugar, coconut, & banana & we'd happily have a portion. No. This doesn't happen in 2016. What's the need ?? We think that our past cultures are not practical & have conveniently scrapped them. The modern education have really enlightened us & weaned us successfully from our humble pasts. We enjoy pasta,pizza, momos but not the humble home-made chattu a.k.a. sattu.
Luchi & aloor dum was cooked for breakfast in Dalda. No, we did never think the Dalda to be harmful. Maybe this is why it didn't harm us. A magnum size rasagolla from Daam Maharaj followed. Lunch was humble macher mathar dal, machher jhol, and aamer chutney followed by a dollop of sweet curd from Cuttack Sweets. No. Not comparable to the 13 course lunch in swanky restaurants.Full two hour siesta followed by red, juicy watermelon and a glass of ghol (no ice). Then off to play cricket at a nearby small patch of green.
Marvellous evening at Barabati Stadium which used to stage Bengali Jatras & singers from Kolkata. The song " Esho he Boishakh esho esho .." was invariably on the agenda. I wonder if Jatras are still held ... The cool night breeze blowing across the open ground lifted my mood and made me ready to face even the stiffest school test the next day.
As I now sit in front of my desktop I keep wondering "Did it happen at all... "
ENJOY YOUR DAY.....
P.S. Some of the food items may not be recognizable to non-Bengalis ....
I Knew
Chutney abs curd and now the names of many dishes of your youth. Your style is o clear with enthusiasm when you talk about celebrations you have attended. Enjoyment is Bishu! - madam allets
Thank you so much
Respected Madam Stella
©bishu