Monsoon Magic

The headlines read, “The Monsoon keeps date with India” as rains lashed the southern coast of India to the joy and relief of thousands of farmers who are dependent on the life-giving force of the monsoons to irrigate their parched, sun scorched lands. To give us "Delhiwallas" a taste of things to come, the capital was flooded with unexpected showers. My mom and I watched this grand spectacle unfold sitting on our patio, while sipping hot Tea and munching on some understated yet delicious onion pakoras.

The sky became dark as the tempestuous black clouds rolled in and brought respite from the blazing summer sun. The wind was singing and the great banyan tree outside our house started dancing with mad abandon along with all her friends. Streaks of lightning displayed the majestic purple and gray hues of the stormy sky. The loud thunderclaps sounded like roars of triumph in a battle being fought in a land I faintly remembered from my dreams. The thirsty earth quickly absorbed the first few drops of rain and the sweet fragrance of the moist earth filled the air. Soon the rain started to pour in torrents turning the streets into turbid streams. I walked down memory lane and remembered the simple pleasures of running down the street to embrace the pouring rain and making tiny paper boats to be floated later in the umpteen puddles left behind as evidences of the deluge.

We sat for a long time witnessing the elements of nature, displayed in all its untamed glory and as we finally went inside, it was with the knowledge that we had been part of something spectacular.

The rain song- Lagaan

Ghanan ghanan ghir ghir aaye badra

Ghane ghan ghor kaare chhaye badra

Dhamak dhamak goonje badra ke danke

Chamak chamak dekho bijuriya chamke

Mann dhadkaaye badarwa

Mann dhadkaaye badarwa