“The season of rain approaches, my love, like a king, his royal cavalcade in full ceremonial procession, dark clouds – his war elephants in their rutting season, glowing flashes of lightning – his tapering victory flag, and roaring thunder – the sound of beating war drums welcomed by the crowd of lovers with maddening cheers.” (Ritusamhãra – Canto 2/1, Kalidas, translation-Abhay K) The season of ‘Saavan’ (monsoon) is not only critical for the economic sustenance of the country but for emotional sustenance too. In India, it is awaited and celebrated across the length and breadth of the country.
It purifies and rejuvenates us both physically and emotionally. It is an embodiment of new life. The barren and dry surroundings, which are eager and anxious for a new lease of life, are blessed with running streams, uncontrollable and overloaded rivers, rushing and gushing falls.
Man suffers too but never does he cease to celebrate. He consoles himself by attributing the cause of his loss to the natural law of the cosmos. This celebration is more pronounced in rural India, which is steeped in tradition and culture.
In addition to the various rituals observed during the season, the urban young also converge in hilly destinations to witness the dramatic change of dull and grey surroundings into the lush and green. In many towns and cities, the young arrange and attend the monsoon ball, rain dance, etc. The sight of the sea on the west coast beaches is riotous: the ever-.