Like sheer heaven…
The prose -- "Like sheer heaven..."
Sunur,
a hamlet in Barddhaman district, may be called an unknown village, where his
native abode is situated. If you are looking forward to be in the lap of nature
truly, then you will be at the right place to visit here.
Approximately
20 km. remote from Barddhaman town, Sunur is adorned with the gliding Khari
River to its south. One can view with ease that the silvery moon is like a
spotlight on its quiet water.
It
was the eve of the Kalipuja. My
mother and I boarded the Barddhaman-bound galloping train at Howrah. Sometime
later, Subhra di joined us. It was an
evening full of chatting with singaras
inside the train.
Approaching
the station, we set out on our second journey towards the village. It was a
hectic schedule indeed. However, it never seemed to be strenuous, perhaps
because of the sheer delight felt while the auto being driven on the uneven
paths made of red soil used to give us incessant jerks. Gradually the night
became darker.
It
was not totally good either. Suddenly, the thought that we might fall into the
clutches of the robbers struck my ever-anxious and ever-tensed nerves. To be
honest, sometimes this anxiety coupled with tension makes me recall Mrs.
Bennet’s everlasting nervousness in Jane Austen’s novel. It makes me laugh at
myself.
Then
the so-called nervousness got astray, because I forgot that I was overtly
worried. It was the time to get mingled with the cool gust of rural wind and
with the smell of the dung. The howling foxes, the buzzing crickets were
audible though unseen. What a heart-soothing nature!
Apart
from the natural sounds, a few musical symphonies arranged for the Kalipuja could be heard, as and when the
distance between the destination and us was becoming lesser gradually. Who can forget
the cordial hospitality of the villagers?
As
we reached the paara, all the
residents of that locality came out of their cottages to welcome us. Uncle
asked me, “Why did you get so late, dear?” Not knowing what to reply in extreme
gladness, I had to keep mum.
“Come,
pray to the goddess with folded hands for the welfare of your family. Well,
don’t forget to pray for us also,” Auntie smiled and patted me.
I
know the place so well since my childhood; still my cousins came to receive me,
when we stood in front of the temple. After meeting for a pretty long span of
time, the youngest hugged me and said, “What have you brought for me, Didi?” Giving her some toffees and two
boxes of crayons, I kissed on her forehead.
To
know how loving and cordial they were, one seriously needs to make a trip there.
Sunur is perhaps a bit lacking in grandeur and pomp, but the heritage of its puja and the devotion of its people can
excel everything in the cities. You can notice all and sundry, especially the
smiling children, in their gala costumes. The most remarkable thing to remember
is that these people are contented with just so little.
However,
like all other places, this one too has its own shortcomings. It becomes too
difficult to bear with, when the scapegoat is beheaded in front of the deity. Even
though you close your eyes and put your fingers into the ear holes, you can
hardly get respite from this slaughter scene. Moreover, every time we stay
there, we find a great communication problem.
In
spite of all these things, this village possesses its wonders also. It was
evident when we all went to breathe in the fresh and open air beside the Khari
River. We were forbidden to go there previously, because that side is not so
secure during the night, but Mom took me there obstinately this time not
heeding others. Therefore, it seemed to be an adventure. Who can forget the tranquil
beauty there?
The
serene atmosphere with its crystal-clear water, in my solitude, did whisper
something incomprehensible into the ears. The innocent bathing children, the verdant
paddy fields, the swaying kash
flowers, the dazzling sunshine and the splashing sound genuinely foster their
internal potential to mesmerize whoever wants to enjoy the natural beauties to
the heart’s content.
We
can never blot out from our memory that I fell down into the sticky muck while
walking along the narrow lanes between the green fields, which has left a
permanent impression in our hearts. My sandal and my left foot got separated
for a while, as it got stuck. Oh, what a mess!
“Are
you hurt?” asked Rita Auntie. This time I responded, “Nope, not at all, because
this is the gift from nature.”
Yes,
it was the exact moment to get lost in the purity of nature, but as and when
Mom regretted that we had to return to the home town on that very day, I could
hardly see anything due to my glittering eyes.
We
had to pack our belongings up and had to bid farewell to the hamlet. We were
under compulsion. What we could carry home was nothing but lots of sweet memories
treasured forever.
The
only thing we could do was to say, “Goodbye, Sunur. See you next year again. Again
we’ll have boundless joy and merriment, but no more now.”
It
was like sheer heaven. I can still recall the divine mirth that the entire
expedition gifted to all of us, not merely because of the ever-lasting novelty
of the village, but even due to the fresh stimulation that I have found in
course of the sojourn.
Very nice
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteCordial thanks...
DeleteVery good
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteKhub sundar
ReplyDeleteFantastic, the poet has exposed nicely both, the village atmosphere as well as journey by train. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteWholehearted thanks and regards...
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