Monsoon. Thats what mungaaru means. We'd scheduled
the mungaaru gathering for the
“Independence day” weekend. And as much as anyone can quarrel with the idea of nation
state no one can help loving the idea of freedom and growth that this weekend can birth.
After all a bunch of city folk are going to disconnect their devices, plant some trees,
transplant paddy and play kabbadi in a small rural area of Uttara Kannada- Angadibail.
of life in full glory. A perfect place to learn to surrender to life and be glad. A perfect time to
do it. In Angadibail, this mungaaru we had so much to be glad for...
NEW things... OLD things... FAMILIAR things... MUDDY things... WILD things...
Late buses and multiple arrivals
Changes in plans and flexible
schedules
Carrying tree saplings
Planting them
Planting them
Bathing in the waterfall and
stream
Fireflies, pill insects, tadpoles in
pools of
mud and croaking frogs.
pools of
mud and croaking frogs.
Beera ..
The crazy goats.
Kabaddi matches and kabaddi
players of all
Smiles and laughs;
People who know the rules and
people who
people who
don't. The referees
Transplanting paddy
People who know how and who
can teach you
can teach you
Changing designs in the fields
A tiller, a scared cow and a
human being
human being
doing the work of a bullock
Singing while you work
Mud fights
Aching muscles and happy
\hearts
\hearts
Adults yak yak yakking
Children playing, adults playing.
Children working adults working
Made up games
,.
Children working adults working
Made up games
Strains of the flute filling the air.
Night walks and sudden showers
Soap nut soap and Hemakka's tooth powder
Stone ground chutney
Serving lunch and being served
Kotte kadabu, ragi and rice rotis\
Wild colocasia leaf chutney and fig vegetable.
Kokum saplings to take home.
Leaf plates and a running stream for washing up
Dry firewood
Warm dry beds
Farewell hugs
Missing buses and drivers to catch up.
Next year to look forward to...
----Neesha Norohna
----Neesha Norohna
