Munaza Kazmi
Sound of rain, intoxicating fragrance of flowers, misty air, thunder of clouds; scent of wet soil with it a cup of sweet tea and spicy hot pakoras! World at large enjoys four seasons, but we are blessed with five. Monsoon makes this exception. Every season comes with its own set of consecrations, however it’s always monsoon that has been much celebrated. It is an intrinsically strong affection we have with the rainy season. Like rains returns life to the barren dry soil, it returns the existence of our soul. From creative writing to penning a verse, from painting to practicing a song, the rain waters the buried seeds within our soul, the new inspirations.
In our culture, following the tradition of twelve months, the glory of each month is fondly celebrated with poetry, music and art. Since the subject of this tradition is normally lovers, monsoon is the favorite as it lends itself to multitude imageries of love, longing and a season that signifies plenty; a perfect share of plenty of romantic rainy days. This brief monsoon is nothing short of a celebration – kids are on the streets getting drenched in rain, couples are seen spending time sitting in cafes; friends make plans to reconnect, and families having good time at popular picnic spots. The monsoon has so much to offer that you don’t have to really worry about places visit, since every place had turned into glory. Wherever eyes can see, it is the glory of nature, the emergence of live.
Moreover, monsoon is the lifeline of this region; let’s say our agriculture relies on the yearly rain. Many areas lack irrigation systems, supplies of water are shallow. This monsoon satisfies the needs for the rest of year. With this, the industry of dairy farm also depends on rains. Furthermore, a great deal of electricity is generated by hydroelectric power plants, which are driven by water collected during the season. In short, monsoon is a connection to the life. Likewise, our history, art and literature display an ample connection with monsoon, memoirs of Emperor Babur and Jahangir is a firm supporter. Emperor Shah Alam II composed verses in genre of ghazals, kabitt, dohas, taranas and hori in Rag Gaund (a rag especially deeply connected with the monsoons).
We all grew up reading and listing the verses of lost love and separation that are sung during monsoon and the connection between clouds and cuckoos callings for the Return. Hence, in my opinion monsoon is regarded as a metaphor of reunification, like the rebirth of soil from the droplets of water, meeting of Sky and Earth, yearning and return of the beloved. It could be the call of unity, friendship and harmony. However, today the Phool walon ki Sair is no longer held in the months of sawan and bhadon, it was these months that the last two Mughal emperors celebrated it. A message of virtue and union, much have been changed since then nevertheless the hopes of sitting together.
The writer is senior travel writer and analyst.
