Friday, September 20, 2019

Monsoon Magic!


The on-going, extended ‘Saavan ka mahina’ inspired me to mull over this amazing season, and its influence over so many aspects of our life.




For us Indians, the monsoon plays a major role. Historically we're a country that prides on growing our own indigenous crops and grains. And for a healthy harvest,
the rain Gods have to be benevolent. Did you know that there are special mantras chanted or ‘yagnas’ performed to invoke the rains?
Well, with so much happening around the rains, it is only natural that the 'monsoons' have seeped into every facet of our life....music, khaana, peena….

Monsoon ragas.... 
Garma garam chai.... 
Baarish & pakoras - an 'ek duje ke liye' combo
Saavan ke gaane....


Monsoons, as an inspiration:

Rains have often been a muse to many poets and authors.

It is believed that the monsoons inspired the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa to create the romantic poem ‘Meghadoota’ (the Cloud Messenger). As the story goes, a ‘Yaksha’ who commits a blunder in his daily rituals is banished into exile for a year. Unable to endure the pangs of separation from his wife, he reaches out to a large monsoon cloud, pleading for it to carry a message to his beloved wife.

In more recent times, the magic of the rains have compelled poets such as Gulzar, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, Javed Akhtar and many others to also put pen to paper.

Monsoon Music & Moods

Indian classical music is based on the raga system. Since different ragas are known to evoke different emotions, they are rendered during different time cycles and also seasons.

The monsoons have played a major role in helping the yesteryear masters classify music in an altogether separate section.

It is believed that a family of at least 36 ragas are classified together as Raga Malhar. Some of the popular ones being:
Miyan Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Shuddha Malhar, Megh Malhar, and others.

Here's some music from our classical legends who have rendered musical pieces based on monsoon ragas:

Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia

Pt. Jasraj

In fact, there are even popular songs based on Monsoon Ragas:

Raga Megh Malhar.


Raga Gaur Malhar

Raga Mian Ki Malhar

Raga Sur Malhar

Moreover, there are Ghazals also which romanticize the rains.

Raga Mian Ki Malhar



Monsoon Healing:

As soon as the dark clouds appear, we crave for a hot cup of tea – garma garam chai!
Did you know that Indian diversity seeps down to even different varieties of ‘Chai’ that have therapeutic effects?

Masala Chai – A blend of cardamom, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, the masala chai is soothing as it trickles down a sore throat.

Ginger Chai – Grated ginger is added while the tea is brewing. Helps fight colds too.

Elaichi or Cardamom Chai – Freshly powdered Cardamom is added to the brew. Cardamom is an antioxidant and also a diuretic, helps in lowering BP.

Bombay Cutting Chai – A strong concoction, this variety is served by the half-glass.

Kashmiri Kahwa – A speciality of Kashmir, this is a green tea prepared with exotic spices. The special flavour is derived from strands of saffron, and added to the blend. Saffron is known to improve mood and treat depressive symptoms.

Sulaimani Chai – A great digestive, this is a type of black tea with lemon.

Tulsi Chai – Fresh Tulsi leaves when added to the brew, is said to strengthen the immune system.


Monsoon ‘Soul Food’

A cup of hot Chai and a plate of pakoras is every person’s indulgence during the monsoon. Pakoras/Pakodis/Bhajiya…..call it by any name, and yet it tastes divine.

Monsoon Music for relaxation:
Saavan ke Gaane:

Bollywood has been hugely inspired by the rains. Every Indian at some time or the other, has broken into song, as soon as the dark clouds burst open and rain showers drench the parched land. Some of the memorable songs being:

1    Aha Rimjhim Ke Ye Pyare Pyare Geet Liye
2    Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan, Tumse Mile Hum
3   Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat
4      Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade, Tum Chale Aao
     Rimjhim Gire Saawan, Sulag Sulag  Jaaya Mann
       Rimjhim Ke Tarane Le Ke Aayi Barsaat
        Umad Ghumad Kar Aayi Re Ghata
8      Dum Dum Diga Diga
9    Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si
1   Chhatari Na Khol, Udd Jaayege
     Saawan Ka Mahina, Pawan Kare Sor
     Sajna, Barkha Bahaar Aayi
     Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye Badra Saanwariya
1   Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki Phir Who Jhadi Hai
1   Garjat Barsat Saawan Aayo Re



And as we get ready to bid adieu to the rains, get your playlist ready and play these songs on a loop. Drench yourselves in the joy that these monsoons bring us. Visualize yourself being soaked to the bones in the rains…. Allow yourself to be cleansed, both, mentally and physically!




Thursday, August 15, 2019

And, the fragrance of the 'Rajnigandha' lingers on....


End of an era of quintessential Indian beauty.... The innocence and coyness of the character she portrayed on screen, was a true representation of the times then. Although I was very young to grasp the essence of her films 'Rajnigandha' and 'Chhoti Si Baat' at the time of their release, repeat viewings on television, made her someone we could relate to. Neville was also drawn to her films, and each time it was telecast, we watched them, sitting hand-in-hand. 

Many years later, Taarini and her daughter Janhavi became friends. We got invited to their family Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. During one of the Janmashtami celebrations at Vrindaban Gurukul, she too visited. She was very fond of Taarini, and even cooked her a few meals. One of Neville's favourite actresses, he and she even shared their birthdays.


Today as we bid her a final good-bye, I offered her long, fragrant stems of 'Rajnigandha'.




I was overwhelmed when Janhavi said, 'these are the most apt ones'. 

The song that ripped my heart after Neville moved on, tugs at my heart-strings yet again....