1412 Bangabdo!

Of my surving memories of Polia Baisakh most are very gastronomic. The run up to the celebration in my home would invariably be marked with plans of a la cartes pullulating from dadu, baba, ma or thamma. No matter what comestibles were shortlisted, I was the winner. Dadu and baba would tread on the lard factor, while ma and thamma would encourage the 'green value' in 'sakh-sabjis.' The result: a rich bill of fare with test-bud teasing tastes. We usually had some visitors or guests to join us in lunch; a sort of Thanks Giving Day arrangement with a Bengali touch and a few chosen guests.

'Naba Barsha,' in home was also a day in cultural exercise. As the morning shows the day-I was not allowed to sleep in. Early shower followed by 'thakur pronam', then some specific ritual and finally touching the elders' feet. This was going by the rule book. In addition, there were some strict thumb rule impositions as well- soft speaking, avoiding argumentative situations, no self-brooding and many more...and all these were to be sustained with a mood of unaffected spiritualism in thought and action.

The day apart from the ingestion would be consumed in reading the bangla magazine
Patrika, published by the Ananda Bazar Patrika and leisuring in phone calls from frineds and relatives. The evenings were earmarked for 'special outing.' Although special, they eneded up calling on someone's place whom we had seen or heard from only the last week. However, it was special becuase we were served the 'naba barsha special dishes.' The rest of the evening would ease out with 'adda.'

This was also the day to wear the traditional 'panjabi and paijama,' which ma would get during the 'sale' (sic) month in Bengal!Usually I avoided wearing the 'paijama,' becuase it was a tangly business for me. But on this day even I had to wear the tradition with much huff and a drawstring. I thought I was never good at tying knots, until I did my best on December 28th and since then I had to change my opinion on that!

Now, for the last two years I have been celebrating 'naba barsha' with my Knot-the best ever!Last year, in 1411, 'naba barsha' came too fast for us. For the first time the entire onus to make the day appear quintessentially Bengali was tough for Oli and me. When the paraphernalia are missing the best you could do is to live by the spirit-that's what you do in America.

But 1412 has been markedly different. We planned ahead. The morning began with exchange of 'subho nobo barsha' and smiles of unmitigated hope. Oli slept in upholding the Bengali idea of lighting up the holiday spirit. Usually, our breakfasts are very uninteresting for time saving purposes, but she added some frills to it with 'rooti and alu-kopi r torkari.' A call-in to Salt Lake further lighted up the 'boishakhi' mood and left me completely nostalgic. Some of the untended desires were soon let loose. We immediately planned on the day's menu with the customary zeal that had been missed last year. Next we lazed about talking how we used to spend this day back home- an impassioned effort to hold on to the Kolkata years. We also watched 'Jana Aranya,' for a while and tacked on our routine evening walk in-between our exclusive schedule.

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Life comes full circle. And without tainting the mores of 'poila baisakh,' Oli and I will soon feast on our grand meal with a 'poila baishak' fairness .

Subho Nobo Barsha!