RAIN

(pics, sketches and text by DB)

It’s been pouring since two days.

 We all have read many poems and tales about rains. Maybe that’s the reason why (almost) everyone is a bit emotional about this weather. Indian authors in literature have always demonstrated the ‘pouring sky’ as a sign of positive energy and as the time (or ambience) which is very romantic in nature. On the other hand, English authors have a totally different outlook for the same. Thus, influenced by the context of the Indian literature, rain does leave some eternal effect on our mind and body.

The continuous sound of water droplets seem as if two friends are chatting with each other after a long time without bothering about what others might think about them. Accompanying them is the flora of the place which suddenly becomes ‘lively’ and starts enjoying like a kid playing in mud and water. The nature actually starts dancing along with the ‘full-of-life’ atmosphere of the surroundings and at the same time everyone gets relief from the daily hustle-bustle of life and finds out a moment to spend with one’s own self or to relax. Birds hide themselves under the nooks and corners of the niches shaking their feathers on regular intervals drying themselves up. Sometimes one can even notice them shivering in the chill. That sight is astounding to see.

One starts drowning along with the continuous ‘flow’ of water. The sound refreshes the memories of standing aside a river bank. You feel that nothing is in your control. It keeps on flowing without any concern. Suddenly, you notice the pathway which was not being used by anyone since morning (because of the down-pour) is finally occupied by some users. All, holding an umbrella with one hand and the other in their pockets minimizing the surface exposed to rain, heads down and moving with a constant speed towards some definite destination. It appears to be a perfect composition for canvas and then unexpectedly someone, without a shelter, comes into the scene, running, giving motion to the picture all of a sudden. The lush green surroundings get a tough competition from the vivid colourful umbrellas, some matching and some totally opposite to the appearance of the person holding it. Imagine a person wearing formals and holding an umbrella with floral design on it and, that too, pink coloured.

The droplets still manage to settle somewhere. It seems as if they also want to take a break from the continuous flow. You may find them on leaves or falling on floor making random circular patterns and vanishing in a moment making way for the next one. Matching the speed of the drops are the thoughts going in the mind. Most of them filled with memories of times spent especially associated with this weather. Memories which fill up the dull faces with sweet smiles, which refreshes the mind and a force drags us towards the window/balcony and we keep on gazing at the rain, the drops, the surroundings. Filled with such thoughts one wants to relax on bed, take a nap, and have a cup of tea. One can find a group of close friends laughing out loud and enjoying, or a couple having a warm conversation, making the best use of the moment. For many (like the one observing all this), the warm memories from the past are enough to fill up the ‘empty’ spaces. 

All in all, the sudden down-pour acts as an excuse for everyone to get what their ‘inner’ self wants keeping aside the regular duties and responsibilities. The rain becomes a short vacation and one enjoys it with a thought in mind, “It won’t last forever!”