I am recollecting the childhood that I spent in Delhi and the days spent in the school.
The month of August used to bring lots of happiness in our minds not only because of the start of cool climate but also the beginning of festivities starting with Avani-Avittam. The school used to declare 2 days of leave for the function. My father used to take me to Jamuna river for the Avani-avittam by a special chartered bus organised by the Bhajana Samaj. The holy, nostalgic dip in the river is really unforgettable. The Pooja or the chanting of veda and the mantras used to take at least 2 hrs and the entire programme used to end at about 1pm after which the 60 seater bus organised by the Bhajana Samaj used to drop us at the Gol-chakkar or popularly known as channa market. Although the walk to my house in satnagar used to take just about 10 minutes, i used to feel highly embarrassed to walk bare-footed with dhoti and angavastram. I wanted to disappear from the sight as all my north Indian friends used to make fun of me asking " Raju, tere ko kya ho gaya? kal tho tum teek the??" It was so difficult to explain to them about this function as it was totally an alien subject for them! I believe it was the same for our siblings and specially the girls who were not allowed to wear any other dress other than Pavadai-davani for each and every function. The school also insisted that the girls wear only Pavadai-davani and nothing else although other schools permitted them to wear salwar-kameez and smart skirts and tops! No doubt, we Madrasis in Delhi always felt low in comparison to the north Indians who were not subjected to such rigorous rituals and rules!!Anyways, after the poja at the Yamuna and once we reach home, my mother would not allow us to enter the house unless she performed Aarthi singing Gowri Kalyanam!!! Most of my punjabi friends used to line up and watch this event amused and i would not know where to look!!! my father used to beam with joy!!
By this time, it would be easily 2.30pm and it was time for an elaborate lunch with vadai and payasam!! my father never missed this opportunity to invite at least 2 families to share this joy and have lunch with us. such was the generosity exhibited during those times and the happiness that arose through this community gathering followed by lunch can not be described!
today, I happened to talk with one of my friends after performing Gayathri Japam. His son has returned from the U.S. The Avani avittam and the Gayathri Japam was performed well-courtesey YouTube!! There was no tension about going out wearing Dhoti and the angavastram which often slipped making you bare-chested!! well, obviously we are not Salman Khan to flaunt our body!!! The Avani-Avittan has become E-vani- Attam!!! The beauty is neither the father compels the son to go with him to perform nor the son misses out on such events as he is able to do the necessary things sitting at home with the help of a computer-Internet!! how times have changed?? Jaane kahan gaye woh din???
woh pooja ke din, woh Yamuna ka pani
woh masti ke din, woh bachpan ki kahani !!!!!
I love those beautiful days of my childhood despite all its odds and wanted to remind my friends who are all from the same pool.
