River Bath

River Bath
P K Routray

In Indian river,
in rain, summer or winter
with running streams of water
having changes in size, shape and color,
woman folks of the villages located near
daily complete their own personal morning chore
discussing in loud or in whisper
the topics from man to moon and of far and near.
They spend time daily much over an hour with pleasure
enjoying their well-earned rest and leisure
after early morning in-laws’ house hard labor,
attending to cattle, goats and house hold works
expediting them not to miss the fun at the river banks
where they meet their neighbors, friends and foes
while invariably in other affairs they poke their nose,
expressing their thoughts, news and views
mused over previous twenty four hours for friends to amuse.
Many gossips originate,
to many rumors grapevines decorate,
fictions are composed,
with spices of life they are disclosed
later to become news
to many they do fuse.
Advice in galore to redress many a woe
experienced ladies with pride do throw,
parables and fables folk tales and folk lore
colloquial sayings are often brought to the fore,
from mouth to mouth and from generation to generation
without record thus the practice and tradition were going on.
But now with modern hurry and fury taking over
this cooperative bath strengthening the social bondage are disappearing faster.

This river bath by Indian village ladies is a unique feature
contributing to Indian tradition and culture,
Social scientists may like to ponder
as it had impact on quality of life as seen earlier.