The Saga of a Saaree

FB is a time machine. It keeps on reminding you of your past, present and future to certain extent. Early this morning I wished a friend happy silver wedding anniversary and a few others, happy birthday.  This has become a routine now and rather an easy way to stay connected with friends. I am reminded that today is a special day. Two-Two-Twenty-Twenty-Two, a rare date! Though twenty-two is not that relevant, two-two or second February reminded me the saga of a saree.

Once upon a time, one gentleman, a bank employee used to unfailingly gift his lady a saree every year a day or two before second February. Just a day or two before, as his salary arrived usually on the last day of January. The excitement and smile on the face of the lady who probably got a saree only once a year was worth a million dollars.

The story is not about two individuals but about a generation which is slowly sinking into oblivion. A generation who lived a simple and quiet life without many indulgences, contended and happy with whatever they had. A generation that listened to Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar on Radio and whose rare entertainment was watching movies in theatres. Those who woke up early, had breakfast only after their morning prayers and never ever wasted a food grain. 

Their simplicity was their greatest asset. Happiness or sadness was seen on their faces. They probably believed that restraint was the best expression of emotions.  They allowed their children to thread their own path and watched them grow from a distance praying for their wellbeing from the depth of their heart. They came into this world silently, lived a quality life and left silently only leaving behind a path based on values for the forthcoming generations to thread.

Years have passed, it is said, lot of water has flown in the Ganges and today we are in year Twenty Twenty-Two.  Our wardrobes get filled with latest fashion dresses during every online and offline sale but where is the smile on our faces? We have probably shrunk to BHK flats and outsourced our kitchens to the zomatos and Swiggys. They bring the best of world cuisines to our platter, but where is the time to taste? When do we sleep to get up early in the morning?  In a world of information explosion and entertainment all around, where is the time to relax?

Sometimes a date can be a reminder and also trigger to a deluge of thoughts! Zafar Gorakhpuri, the famous Hindi & Urdu poet encapsulated these expressions in his poem दुःख सुख था एक सबका अपना हो या बेग़ाना एक वो भी था ज़माना एक ये भी था ज़माना which means sorrow or happiness were one for all whether it be your own or someone else’s. Beautifully sung by my favourite singer Padmasri Pankaj Udhas.

BTW: The lady and the gentleman mentioned above were my parents and the day two-two was their wedding anniversary. Once upon a time, a day of quiet celebration at home without any fanfare for many years!