Sunday Thoughts By Kunal Roy

Time to Ring in the New

Are you feeling a bit elated? Have your perverse instincts taken a backseat? The reason is obvious. Poila Baishak is here with all its mirth and glee. The day which the Bengalis await with much tolerance blended with ‘scaling’ enthusiasm to drink life to the lees!

Days fly away imperceptibly. Time has grown new wings. And the vision has also suffered a sea change in the pattern of celebrating this 15 April. Today’s Poila Baishak doesn’t simply proclaim the enjoyment within the four walls of a room. It carries something more, something refined. The younger posterity prefers to hold the occasion in new restaurants. But at the same time an urge to make a journey back to the roots also works with great profoundity, as we find them sharing the home made food of chingri macher malaikari and rui macher jhol with a tender touch of heartiness.

Besides the culinary delights, the mad craze for adoring the cupboards with garments ( bought at an exorbitant price) is witnessed. Shops at Gariahat, Shyambazar and New market see the growing influx of people from the nook and cranny of this “city of romance”. Every year the arrival of Chaitra sale truly paves the path for the Bengalis to cater a special look to themselves!

It is customary for for each and every Bengali household to clean and wash the rooms with different synthetic ingredients. Actually it symbolises the necessity of wiping out the six prime evils from one’s heart and soul. A perfect use of alpana is also felt indispensable to embellish the house on this pious occasion.

One of the chief components without which the mood of celebration remains incomplete is none but sweets. Popular sweet shops like K.C. Das, Mouchak and others have suddenly seen a hike ! The uninterrupted flow of silver coins in their treasure not only makes them financially strong but aids them to dish out a welcome greeting to the sweet buyers.

The history of this day traces its steps back to the time of Akbar’s reign. It was the norm to clear the dues and debts by March. And on the very next day the landlords would hail the tenants with items ranging from a mere hug to sweets to garments. Revelry dotted the ambient air. Gradually the concept is amended and now it has turned out to the part and parcel of our life.

After countless propositions, the day is finally going to arrive amid the sweltering heat of summer and beads of perspiration making a queue on one’s forehead. But a question to ask: “Does the day signify something special for the downtrodden or the city beggars?” Perhaps not. It is simply like any other day in their life.

In a country like India, where millions are under the starry roof, incurring huge expenditure on the eve of celebration is not only an offence but a great sin. Let us be honest here. Let us send orisons to the Lord Ganesha and the Goddess Laxmi to drench everyone with the pure pearls of peace and prosperity!!