Growing up outside Kolkata, I have never really been exposed to the Bengali culture completely. Off late, strangely I find myself quite fascinated with folk songs, baul and the like. I pine for a boat ride at dawn.
A time when most of us are fast asleep. The shutters are down. All you hear are the birds and may be the cycle bell of a newspaper or a milk vendor. It’s a lovely sight when you get to see the day break. That’s when I wish for a boat ride.
The boat rider will be gentle while asking me to make myself comfortable and address me as didimuni. (Unlike the grumpy cab or auto drivers, I start my day with). He will ask me, didmuni theek kore dhorey boshechen toh? (Didimuni, hope you are holding on). From a distant I wish to hear a placid and a faint baul song. (Quite like an old Bengali film).
The Baul song will talk about how we all think of the uncertainties in our life, not get answers to the same and move on expecting the desirable. It will talk about the positive energy and how there are good things, good people, good deeds still happening in this big bad world. (don't know if there's a song like this. If I were a lyricist, would write a song like this).
The boat will sail closer to the hanging branches of trees full of chirping birds on them. I wish to listen to it while I am sailing through. It will be almost like sailing though the ups and downs of my life in that one boat ride.
