It was depressingly grey all day today, in Hyderabad, with a persistent rain that fell on and off with varying degrees of intensity throughout the daylight hours. At first I was joyful, almost jubilant, donning my long lost cardigan that I had left behind on my first stop to my new home. It reminded me of back in the UK, where it would be grey for days at a time. I was filled with a nostalgia that made me smile with longing of fresher climes. But then, something changed, probably when I had to actually go out and brave the weather.
We were on our way to look at some furniture for my father-in-law’s newly built house. That’s normally an activity that I would love; potentially spending large amounts of money on large, pretty but functional objects. But the wind and the rain just got to me. The traffic was tragic and we didn’t buy anything! Maybe that was the root cause of my melancholy; it was a wasted afternoon!
But it made me think of the UK and how I loved the idea of just escaping all that glum ‘greydom’ and exchanging my winter wear for the weather that suited my clothes in my ideal summer. We did leave in December so the weather was pretty dire and daylight seemed to be at a premium, only adding to the urgency of escape.
First Rains
But it also made me think of the rain in Calcutta.
That is to say, the rain in Calcutta is the stuff of Bollywood Dreams. It falls with purpose and riot. It’s heralded by the wind, who howls and yelps in warning and celebration. The clouds turn broody and dark and thunder roars and rumbles making the earth tremble in anticipation of the coming tumult. And when it comes, there is a release! The earth becomes fresher, women rush out of their homes and dance as the raindrops caress their form. They become heavenly beings, at one with the water, the earth and the air and for those few minutes, Calcutta is a paradise, where everything is turned to mercury and emeralds and rubies and gold.
But just as quickly as it comes, it is gone.
The earth, like Lord Kishna’s Radha, relives her time with her beloved and basks in the afterglow for as long as the memory can satisfy, but that too fades, replaced by longing once again. The land becomes parched, the air becomes oppressive and a dank stillness hangs in the air.
Has it happened then? Have I said that I prefer the rain in Calcutta to anywhere else? I suppose I must have.
They say Calcutta grows on you, it seeps into your bloodstream without you even realising it. I think it has and like the earth, longing for the rain, I’m longing to get back; back to my routine, back to my friends, back to my home and back to the rain that falls with purpose and with riot.
You’re going to make me actually like rain… almost 😉
Funny you should say that! I hate the rain, normally, but once you’ve experienced the rain here, there’s nothing like it! 🙂
Hello, I have to say its a great piece! =)
Thank you! I’m so glad you think so. It was written late at night and I just wrote what I felt.I suppose the best pieces come out that way 🙂
Exactly, at a time when your thoughts run rampant. =)
Very good! I like your style of writing.
Thank you! You have very good taste! 😉
Beautifully written, I can actually smell the rain in my living room!
Thank you! I love hearing comments like that! I love your url thingy, by the way Will have to nip over and have a look.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading your story, it also reminded me of my days in England.
Hi! Thanks for commenting and taking the time to have a read. Sounds like you’ve left England too, so where are you now?
I love hearing about different areas of the world. I don’t think I will ever come to India, but thanks for making feel like I was there with you! http://www.segmation.wordpress.com
Thank you, Beth. Hearing about, reading about other parts of the world are one of my favourite things to do. I hope I have enough time to see them all. Will definitely be checking out your blog.
Thank you. Have a great day and thank you for openning up my eyes to a different part of the universe. http://www.segmation.com
Such a heavy downpour in the pic, but you mentioning it makes me actually picture it in my head 😛
Thank you for your kind comment. That picture was taken on the first day of the official monsoon this year.It was the first time I experienced it and I finally understood what all the fuss was about!
That’s a lot of water… Like what I had in my house… (My latest post)
But mine was result of my DeafBlind child. Hope you get sun
Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting! A lot of water, is right! I look forward to reading your blog a little later 🙂
Thank you for painting a little window for us to peek into a place I have never been. I found you on Freshly Pressed and am so glad I did!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found me too…I look forward to peeking into your world, very shortly!
So many people love the rain, it brings back some memories, esp the sweet one. 🙂
So true! Thank you for your comment 🙂
exceptionally written!
Thank you! Love the word ‘exceptionally’ in that statement! 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
I love to wake up to the sound of rain, and then go back to sleep (if time permits lol). I also love the refreshing smell of after rain. Thanks for this beautiful post 🙂
Thanks Joy, I’m learning to love the rain too. 🙂 Thank you for reading and liking!
Could think of only these line upon reading your blog, “Neelo anjono ghono punjo chayay shombrito ombor, hey gombhir, hey gombhir…”
Thank you! That sounds beautiful although I would not be able to admit to knowing what it means. Please translate…:)
Reblogged this on Icanbeatit.
Thank you!
You are welcome 🙂 🙂
aah, feels so fresh….there are some places which seep into your soul and you only realise it once you are away…they become so much a part of you that the existence merges with yours…your writing has a sense of affection in it or so it made me feel. loved it. congratulations on being freshly pressed.
Thank you so much! I’m pretty awestruck with the response to be honest! Looking forward to discovering some new blogs through this, yours included!
It’s actually raining here in mumbai, and i am loving it. thanks for the post.
You#re welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting! I’ve heard the rain in Mumbai is something else entirely!
I love raining very much since it is peaceful.I can feel God’s amaze during raining.I like it.^_^
I agree…there is something divine about the rain! 🙂
I loved this. I have always loved the rain, ever since I was a child. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized my name itself means rain! My family is from Kerala, and anytime we would visit over summer vacation, it would be monsoon season. There is nothing like downpours in Kerala, lush and green. I will have to experience it in Calcutta too, now. Thanks for this =)
I love the lushness of Kerala…must go over and visit again! What a lucky coincidence that you love the rain and that it’s your name! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. 🙂
monsoons are fun as long as you don’t have to step out lol 😀
That’s true! But occasionally, just occasionally a good soaking is just what you need! 🙂
true that! 😀
your blog is inspiring! there are different kinds of rain, every locality seems to have its character. thank you for letting me see rain in your side of the world through your words.
Thank you for reading and commenting. It means a lot. 🙂
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thank you. I’m really glad you liked it.
wow I loved the post…..Really really great ! It rained here today too , In Pakistan and it was as lovely 🙂 Rains are always beautiful but the feelings they leave behind and the sadness…..That is something not good 🙁 Love the post….Every word was wonderful !
Grate article, i love the rain, i feel so in peace when i stop everything and stay near the window to listen to the rain… rain brings quiet
I’m glad you liked the article. I’m starting to appreciate the rain a lot more now. 🙂
Nice … Fun to read …. Don’t we all just love rain
I used to hate the rain! I think I just saw too much of it in the UK, but being here has given me a new perspective. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Nice! Everything in India is kind of extreme, like water situation. Or you don’t have enough or you have a lot of it. Greetings from the HImalayas!
So true! The same goes for emotions too! Maybe that’s why I’m liking it here…I like to gush! Would love to visit the Himalayas some day! Thanks for reading!
Funny thing; here in New Mexico, we get very happy on those grey days, and rain cheers us up even more! Day upon day of sunshine can get rather boring after a while. We are in the midst of our monsoons right now, so there is a decent chance of water from the sky in the afternoons and evenings, but it is never enough. I miss grey, rainy days, so I envy you a bit. Enjoy! 😛
Aah! I would love to visit New Mexico! Thanks for reading and enjoy those grey days!
Love you´re writing … I could almost feel every drop … I don´t know about you but being soaked by the rain on a hot day, always lifts my spirit and makes me laugh.
Thank you so much! The rain seems to have a character all of its own sometimes!
I must say that I absolutely adore the rain. While I love the sunlight at times…I am horribly sensitive to the sun light and it causes horrible migraines. But when the rain comes…I can listen to it’s sweet sound…and hear the thunder roar…it fills me with a sense of peace. To me…it is God’s way of telling me that there are days where I will have complete peace…and those days are the rainy days.
Wow! I’m only now beginning to appreciate the rain. I love the before, the anticipation, and then the sweet release.
Thank you for reading!
Hey guys I would apreciate if you took a look at my blog and if you’d like give me comments at [email protected] …… PLEASE!!!!!! And also this post just made me love rain
You’re very funny! Did my post really make you love the rain? Will check out your blog anyway! 😉
Yes, I read it and I was like wow, you are really a talented writer
Thank you 🙂 You’re very kind!
Staying in Mumbai and braving Mumbai rains that are known the world over, I agree with your thoughts…love the rains myself but again after a few days of the incessant rains and the grey depressing skies make me long for bright sunny days…loved reading your blog dear!
Thank you! I think that’s why I can stand the Calcutta rains, this year…they don’t seem to be incessant…there is a break more often than not. 🙂
i can remember my most wonderful days after seeing this image
Thank you…I’m so glad you liked it!
You are such an amazing writer! i really connected with this article. my dad is from Calcutta!
Thank you so much! I guess i’m getting there. I’m glad i could provide a connection, that means so much to be able to do that.:)
Dreamy post…I love rainy days 🙂
Thank you!
Rain is something that really makes you feel different… I enjoy the rains myself… and it has been raining every evening in Chennai. But having been an NRI for 25 years… I would say rains were more fun abroad because they never hindered travel or normal life. Chennai traffic and infrastructure conditions are sad, so if I’m planning for a day out, I’d probably say “Rain, rain go away, come again another day!” 🙂 Enjoyed reading… and congratulations on making it to freshly pressed 🙂
Thank you! Wow! 25 years living away from India. I’m not sure i like the rain in the UK…it has no purpose, I feel, except to just add to the grey! I’m glad you’re ok with the rain where you are though. 🙂
Your descriptions gave me goosebumps! I love rain. It can be horrifically depressing at times, but it also just inspires me…inexplicably.
http://kmkinsleybooks.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! I guess every aspect of nature is a little bit magical 🙂
Beautifully written. When I moved away from rainy Philadelphia I swore I would never miss it. But the Texas drought has me savoring rainy days. There’s a good life lesson in there somewhere!
Thank you…rain is cleansing, you can definitely have too much of a good thing, with the sun, i think. 🙂
nicely written. lovely photos! http://www.alysheasurani.com
Thank you! 🙂
Very nicely written, I like this bit “Maybe that was the root cause of my melancholy; it was a wasted afternoon!”
Thank you! Interesting to know that that line appealed more than any of the others. I can only assume that you, like me, do not approve of wasted afternoons! 😉
Great post! One thing I love about the rain is that it sure does help me sleep lol! But that’s about it, we do need rain to help this world go around so it’s a little hard for me to say I dislike the rain. It just needs to rain at the right time lol!
I agree! Rain at the wrong time is just a pain! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
Monsoon is my favorite season of the and I have always loved rains, ever since I was a kid and we all used to just ran out of the home whenever it rained. Delhi looks much more beautiful during the rains. My mom hated this season because she had a hard time keeping our home clean and our school uniform dry 🙂
Thank you for your comment. I wish I could have experienced the rains as a child, without inhibitions. Now I can only imagine how wonderful it must be.
rain down on me, rushes through my mind, as my dreams begin to rumble, all because of rain, where’s the jungle gone, it was here last year, really.
Thank you! Interesting ideas in those few lines. 🙂
Thank you for your comment. I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing this vivid and poignant writing.
Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
That was genuinely a refreshing post. I loved your description that is so real and did paint vivid imagination about raindrops. Congrats on FP! 🙂
Thank you! I’m still reeling from all the new traffic and kind comments. It’s amazing when fellow writers see the good in your work. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your time and will surely keep coming for more of your wonderful posts 🙂
Cheers!
You had me at RAIN. Great blog!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful, is the word. I appreciate your writing style-simple, lucid and clear.
I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your blog!
Best wishes. 🙂
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like my simple style, as I’m pretty useless when i try and complicate things. I feel very lucky to have found a reader like you!
Haha! Pleasure is all mine!
I’m pretty new to the world of blogging, and to my surprise The Hindustan times liked one of my works and published it on the editorial page. It was overwhelming! 😀
Wow! Well done! Look forward to reading some more ramblings!
Hello, I am new to the blogging world. I see that you have a good audience on your blog. I am an author and I just published my autobiography. I self published so I need to market it on my own. I want to raise awareness about my book so that it can reach and impact as many people as possible. If you can put this on your blog for your readers I would greatly appreciate it. I see that you have quite the following and it would really help if I had somebody with experience to help me promote my book. Thank you!! If you can even go to my blog and ‘reblog’ my post about my book that would be awesome thank you so much!! Even if you can support me by reading my book that would be awesome!!
http://www.createspace.com/4271634
http://f4ischer.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/top-story-i-have-published-my-autobiography/
I’m going to approve this comment because i will allow a tiny bit of publicity for your blog/book, or whatever, but i will also say this; i’m a little hurt that you just picked my post because you think i have a huge following…i don’t. I have a few loyal followers but that’s because they genuinely like my stuff. the comments i have received from them are heartfelt and meaningful and when they wanted me to go over and check out their work, they have had the decency to say something positive about the post they have chosen to read. the way you’re promoting your stuff is mercenary and makes me a little sad…i am not free advertising space and you have not endeared yourself to me. perhaps you’ll have better luck with my ‘millions of devoted followers’. sorry.x
“The earth, like Lord Krishna’s Radha…..’ LOVE this para- there is so much sensuality, love, longing, pain, hope…all soaked or waiting to be be touched by the first drops of rain. Mitti ki saundhi khushboo…is this post. Thank you. xx
I always feel a bit of a fraud when people like this piece. Something took over me when I wrote this, it feels strange to take credit for it. Thank you.