Indians are the original Good Time Guys. At one level, life is a giddy never ending deluge of festivities. Starting with Teej, and continuing to Independence Day, through Raksha Bandhan,
Karva Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali, various Jayanthi, Christmas, New year, Lohri, Republic Day, and Holi etc. 9 months, and it’s a remorseless round of celebration.
Thankfully, the summer months are a time of relative quiet. Foreigners might say that it’s too hot. But my observation is that it’s just a short time to recharge the batteries before the orgy begins again. (I should mention, that; back in the village, it’s time for wedding season, as the winter crop moolah comes in, and cash is available for splurging) As you can guess; (not having the stamina of the pure-blooded Indian), I am suffering from festivity fatigue.
So, as an au revoir gesture to The Good Times; the Sector decided on a Mega Celebration: Both Holi Dahan & Holi Milan to be celebrated.
What is always amusing is the enthusiasm with which people forage through their stuff, to donate wood for The Dahan. I was horrified when Ila Sharma, offered me Burma Teak for the conflagration! “Don’t you dare”, I told her, as I appropriated the logs for some unknown use in the future…
Indians are traditional by nature, so they expect a certain protocol. Gujiya, mathi, thandai for Dahan, and colour, song and dance for Milan. Easily arranged. Nevertheless, behind the scenes, the human drama continues. Sharad Yadav and Nawlendu Ranjan were eager to herald their recent entry into the Sector with a Big Bang. Yadavji generously offered to sponsor the eats for the functions. Sadly, the death of a close family member prevented him from joining in the festivities. Anita Bhalwar, who, apart from her compering skills makes amazing Thandai, was nursing her husband at Apollo, following a suspected stroke. Nevertheless, she returned home, and, true to the Artistes Credo…The Show Must Go On; made “the best thandai I’ve ever had”; quote Puja Dua before she returned to the patient’s bedside. Puja was conducted with due solemnity, by Mishraji and the President, Brig VK Bhatt and the fire, duly sanctified rose, 2 stories high, as we took our pheras. Happily, the mosquitoes hovering around for a piece of the action made a hasty retreat, and Poorvi Prabhakar was able to stop slapping and kicking herself, for coming in a sleeveless dress!
Holi Milan… proved a slow starter. The clock hands moved from 10 to 11 to 1130, before the residents started pouring in. In the absence of a Compere, the residents were left to find their amusements. This proved to be a happy mischance, as distant neighbours touched base and made new friends. And a great time was had by all. An impromptu dance by the young girls was followed by Holi numbers led by Usha Bhatt. Soon, the Sukhi Holi was invaded by soaked and blue-black Boys, while the smaller children played pichkari with each other. High Spirits were the Order of the Day, thanks to Nawlendus’s contribution. Our neighbourhood Chef, Mr Govil, contributed his delicious Kaanji. For me; it was a personal satisfaction to see the Thandai and Kanji walloped up, while chilled Coke and Fanta begged consumers. Followed by Guptajis to-die-for Chole Bhature, and Gujiya, the residents returned, filled with merriment and t/the Good Stuff.
by Anita Singh (9810027974)
