Pongal 2016!

Boghi!!!

The end of marghazhi season and start of celebrations about farmers, agriculture, lives, etc. Living in urban area means less chances of viewing actual Pongal celebrations in my neighbourhood. Usually, the only way of enjoying Pongal for me is through watching Television, celebrations at college (for some their schools or offices), messages to greet the near and dear ones. But this time it was something different.

Boghi is a festival celebrated by throwing old things from the home into the fire set up using fuel/oil and few sticks of wood. On the day of Boghi, I woke up to the kaleidoscopic view of smoke. Which was something new and I have never seen my house filled with so much smoke. For a while I enjoyed the way how the smoke moved. It was like watching the movement of clouds with greater speed. It was astonishing to know that smoke is unpredictable but still makes a move. Even though obstacles like walls, doors, windows, objects were present the smoke somehow manages to move steadily. It felt like a life lesson. Our thoughts, aims, efforts should be like a smoke; it must be spontaneous and constant. Even under difficulties or arrival of obstacles one must never get ceased but to overcome/tackle them.

I had college that day. So quickly, I snapped out of the smoke admiring moment and started to get ready for college. I picked my bag and was walking on the streets of my neighbourhood to reach the bus stop. Every porch of the house had colourful, intricate designs of kolam and rangoli. The view of the street was a mixture of smoke, fog, amber streaks of sunrise, and bonfires at each house. After, a long period of research works at college. I got really tired. I slept like anything.

Pongal – O – Pongal!!

Well, my family are not that much into celebrations. And floods made further damage to their tiny celebration spirit. I for one always love to take part in any activities related to festivals. But today I was too tired. Kids outside my house were cheerfully shouting Pongal-o-Pongal. I greeted back to all who showered me with their creative and happy Pongal wishes. I am glad festivals are a reason to evoke people into greeting and remembering they have human friends other than their gadgets. I took some chalk pieces and drew some amateur patterns on the porch in an attempt to draw a kolam. My brother started nagging that a 3 year old can draw better than me. Well I don’t care if they are imperfect patterns, as long as it makes me happy and hurts none; nothing wrong with doing it imperfectly.

My kolam/ Rangoli/ whatever it is that made me happy!

So, that’s how Pongal 2016 began for me.

Hope it is a prosperous year ahead for you!!!

Wish you a Happy Pongal!