Monday, February 04, 2008.

Everyday has something new to bring with it.
Thoughts are travellers.
Drifting along a sunny patch, and sometimes hidden behind clouds.
So why not pen a traveller’s delight.

Sunday, a day I cherish. A casual mood engulfs me. There is an aura of flexibility in everything that I carry out.

A simple unplanned day takes its twists and turns.
A sudden plan to go out and enjoy the day buzzes around in the house.
No slow and steady situation, but, a rushing mood … and off to make the best use of the day.

It starts with food for the day. Suddenly the kitchen gets busy. The clang of pots and pans resound in the living area. Filled with energy the hands in the kitchen make the best use of the least time, the activity mood moving up and down like a bouncing ball.

Within a short time food is served. Having missed breakfast hungry stomach does not give time to eat the food slowly … chewing every bit … simply gorging.

Before noon we would like to move out. At last it was decided we go to Surajkund Art and Crafts Mela (Fair).

The special effect of winter is colourful clothes and woollens to go with it. Wrapped in warm clothes we were soon ready to go.

The sun was up there in the sky but a faint cloud cover gave a dull shade to the day. We hoped and prayed that rain would be kind enough not to jeopardize our day’s outing. Just before noon the car started and moved out with a purr.

How can I forget those winter days when my family had special outings? We had long winter holidays during my schooldays. My parents were fun loving people. My Baba made it a point to go for picnics during the cold months so that this would compensate our stay at home during the hot summer days.

Our picnic was always well-planned. Once in a year we went to the small island to collect berries. We ferried across the waters of river Mahanadi in country boats. The boatman used long bamboo poles to sink it in the deep waters and give a push to the boat to move on. At times the water current was helpful. It was a twenty minute journey by boat.

In all we were a group of a dozen people. Sometimes the number increased when there were special guests.

The best part of the picnic was – we carried lots of food. Our cook prepared tasty snacks for the occasion – the cook, the servant and maid servant accompanied us and helped to carry the bags and baskets.

Once we reached the island, the elders would search for a resting spot, spread out the mat and the bags and baskets put down. Children ran about in search on berries and elders catching up with them.

The island had wild sour berry shrub growing in clusters, crowded with berries, some green while some ripe ones hanging all along the lanky leafy thorny branches. Once we caught sight of the berry shrubs we would rush forward to gather them. Those were the common small sour berries … but very precious to us. The tangy touch and the sourness of the tiny fruit were well balanced with a rub of salt. After spending sometime in berry gathering, boredom would soon follow, and then it would be – games time. Hide and seek always topped the list, why not when we were so many in numbers. The ball and the flying disc were always there.

Before the warmth of the sun died, we would have our tea and food and the mood of the late noon refreshed with singing and joking. The whole area would get drowned in the noise we made.

There were others around but we hardly took notice of them. Story went round there were bears that came out once the sun sank in the western horizon. Ma made it very clear we leave the spot well before dusk cover.

Once it was time to wrap up for the day, it was packing up and settling in the boat that had been waiting for hours for us. The boatman also got his share of food and shared each and every moment in our company. Last but not the least he was paid a handsome amount.

Soon our journey would end once the boat reached the ghat. At times we went for a second time to this island if we could coax Ma for another day out.

Connecting to where I had left, we were on our way to witness the Mela. From Delhi … we live in South Delhi … it took us around one hour to reach the place. We had to cross Delhi border and enter Haryana State. Just a few minutes and we reached Surajkund.

We bought entry tickets and moved in. Traditional art and craft from all the states of India could be seen under the Mela roof. The setup was very ethnic. The small stalls with thatched roofs and clay washed floors were covered with mats. The wares were laid on ground. The clay washed floor and walls looked like the mud huts found in the remote villages in India. Traditional hand paintings covered the walls giving them a gorgeous look. The environment was simple and eco-friendly.

Tastes of different Indian states congregated in the food court. Vegetarian food was being served. There were the paan shops and tasty kulfi stalls (Reduced milk flavoured with cardamom powder and frozen in metal cones).

Folk dances, from the different states were performed on the stage with instrumental and vocal accompaniment.

The whole place looked so different from the concrete jungle we live in. I could smell the freshness in the air.

Wood, metal, bamboo, variety of grasses, and fabric were the base of the creative minds. The Mela stretched over a vast expanse. It took a lot of time to go around. By the time we had completed having a look at all the stalls, our legs cried for rest. We got a jewellery box crafted in wood and a set of small bronze bells to hang in the prayer room.

Tired and exhausted we said bye bye to the Mela.