In the company of his companion, we venture upon to acquire cricket spheres from the local emporium, when serendipity intervened in the form of a venerable gentleman entering the establishment. This sage senior inquired of the purveyor regarding the Shuttlecocks of badminton, all the while disclosing that his cherished grandsons had graced his abode.
Inwardly marvelling at the fortuitousness of these youngsters to possess a patriarch as splendid as he, his ruminations were abruptly halted as he lamented that their forthcoming presence would result in the utter ruination of the entire park and its verdant foliage. His rhetoric was steeped in profound bitterness, a lamentation that resonated deeply in this modern epoch where the ties that bind children to their ancestral abodes have grown frail.
In this era, beset by the obligations of education, schooling, and a myriad of extracurricular pursuits, the cherished tradition of returning to one’s maternal hearth has become a mere reminiscence, an elusive dream.
His words unfurled a cascade of nostalgia, whisking me away to the bygone days of his own cherished youth when he used to embark upon sojourns to his maternal haven. Engraved with vibrant clarity in the chambers of his mind, he traverse the pathways of recollection to a resplendent dwelling that stood adorned within nature’s embrace where time seemed to stand still and tradition intermingled with whispers on the wind.
In the mystical land of our valley, there exists an unwavering belief: the maternal abode, a sanctuary imbued with unconditional love and timeless wisdom, finds its true essence in the warm embrace of doting grandparents. How resoundingly true those words ring! Within the hallowed walls of that cherished dwelling, a vibrant love and admiration of familial bonds is woven, where generations intertwine and the threads of heritage unravel in breathtaking splendour.
Engraved with vibrant clarity in the bygone days of his mind, he traverse the pathways of recollection to a resplendent dwelling that stood adorned within nature’s embrace. A two-storeyed abode, nestled amidst a verdant canopy of majestic walnut trees, entwined with a grapevine that gracefully meandered alongside the cherry trees.
Oh, how those halcyon days unfolded in blissful splendour, casting a golden hue upon the tapestry of my existence. Our progenitors exemplified remarkable humility and integrity, devoid of any insatiable desire, and devoutly reverent towards the divine, steadfastly ensuring the preservation of every individual’s entitlements. Following in their noble footsteps, his grandfather dutifully bequeathed the exquisite cherry trees to his beloved daughters.
Amidst the gentle caress of June’s balmy breath, a cherished tradition beckoned him towards his maternal haven, where resplendent vistas awaited. With great fervor, he would embark on these sojourns, for it was during this enchanting time that the branches of cherry trees unfurled, bejeweled with crimson spheres of nature’s sweet abundance.
Each visit, an immersive experience of sensory delight, as he reveled in the luscious red cherries, their succulence and vibrant hue a testament to the bountiful blessings of the season. An immense grapevine unfurled its majestic tendrils, boasting grapes imbued with a tantalizing tang akin to citric acid. Yet, undeterred by their sharp flavor, he would gingerly pluck these grapes, relishing each succulent morsel with unabashed delight. Charmed by the vine’s allure, crows and nightingales alike would flock, perching upon its branches, their beaks bathed in the lusciousness of the grapes, an eternal feast for their senses.
In the captivating realm of our two-storey haven, his maternal uncles dwelled in their own chambers, yet their hearts were interwoven with threads of affection and benevolence. As twilight painted the sky, a ritual would unfold, wherein my esteemed aunts and maternal uncles would pay homage to his grandparents, embarking on spirited conversations that traversed a plethora of captivating topics. Amidst the cosy ambience, tales of enchanting fairies and mystical djinns would enrapture our eager ears, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and imagination. During the night they graciously extended invitations for delectable feasts at both noontide and eve, a testament to their enduring bond of kinship.
his grandfather would consistently procure the delectable coconut biscuits, tenderly ensconced in paper wrappings. These modest treasures, suffused with flavours that eclipsed the world’s most saccharine confections, evoked a profound sensation of bliss within him. Alas, his beloved grandmother, ever the epitome of affection, would generously bestow upon me tantalizing toffees, crunchy peanuts, and a handful of pennies, each one adroitly secured within the graceful folds of her dupatta.
Moreover, she indulged his soaring spirit by presenting his with kites, crafted skillfully by a neighbour, adding another layer of enchantment to his whimsical pursuits. He embarked upon a venturesome pilgrimage with his cherished cousin, gallantly traversing the formidable peaks that caressed the heavens themselves. Our ethereal odyssey would lead us to a water conduit, its allure forever bewitching his senses, as if whispered secrets coursed through its crystalline veins.
Yet, in this mystical realm, his maternal uncle an enigmatic figure veiled in possessive ardour. His inquisitive gaze, like an insatiable raptor, sought to uncover the very essence of his sojourns. Together, we ventured towards the cherry orchards, amidst this verdant splendour, a clandestine enclave awaited, where two regal almond trees stood guard, their limbs entwined in a dance known only to those initiated in their secrets. In the realm of harvest’s embrace, he would greet the dawn with an ardent zeal, venturing forth to unveil nature’s hidden treasures – the coveted walnuts.
As the avian maestros, bedecked in emerald plumage, orchestrated their melodious overture, a symphony of parrot hues, the earthly jewels cascaded to the ground. Entranced by this vivid tableau, he revelled in the dawn’s rapture, as his revered grandmother bestowed upon him an elixir of tea, infused with the very essence of walnut, and maize roasted in a traditional stove (Daan Or Daanbur) a testament to her profound love.
Liquid nectar infused with walnuts and a banquet of maize-infused chapattis would grace our table, a tribute to ancestral wisdom and the boundless nourishment it bestows. May this contemporary era bestow upon its inhabitants the cherished opportunity to recline within the comforting embrace of their esteemed elders, where the ethereal tales of djinns and fairies shall weave enchanting narratives, nurturing a profound connection to the ancestral tapestry of wonder and magic.
(The author is a columnist and Poet pursuing msc in zoology from HNBGU Uttrakhand . He can be mailed at ehsaanamy133@gmail.com)