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MONSOON MUSINGS
As clouds gather over the horizon, a shifting skyscape of myriad hues brings joy and relief. ---Photos:K.R Deepak
Cloaked in grey, the cloudy sky has at last unburdened itself and declared the end of the extended and blistering summer. The heavy rainfall these days has come as a soothing song, bringing cheer to everybody.
There are enough puddles for kids to jump into and many are busy making paper boats to set sail in the flowing rainwater. The showers are being welcomed by one and all and for the youngsters it is reason enough for revelry.
B. Lakshmi, a post-graduate student, and her friends, who stay in an apartment in Lawsons Bay, enjoy frolicking and getting soaked in the rain. ""We love going onto the roof and getting drenched.
Occasionally, we go for a walk on Beach Road and have hot corn in the pouring rain"," says the girl. Some feel that there is nothing that can beat the experience of a drive in the downpour, watching the wind charge through the greenery on the hill slopes, trees sway in the gust and thunder roaring overhead. And there are those, who revel in merely watching the rain splutter the ground in an explosion of countless droplets or just bask in the pleasant earthly fragrance that the rain fills the air with.
When it rains, S. Rajagopal and his friends hit the road in his Maruti-800, carefully driving through the blinding mist that the rain ushers in. "This is the best time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the city. We friends make it a point to go out for a drive whenever possible and we feel that others should do it, too,"" says the engineering graduate.
There cannot be a more delightful sight to behold than the scene of the low-lying clouds masking the hills, water coursing down the slopes and the beaches putting on a hazy, faraway look. It turns into an awesome sight at night when lightning streaks across the sky and momentarily sets the sea aglow to reveal its mighty form.
For soccer lovers the rain adds more fun to the game. They do mind the soiled clothes at the end of the game but then they seem to enjoy wallowing on the soppy grass. Says Raja Hari, a football enthusiast: "Owing to the rain the surface becomes very slippery and dribbling the ball becomes difficult. Slipping and sliding during practice are fun. We do not mind getting dirty but we need to be careful as there is always the risk of sustaining a serious injury"."
A few prefer volleyball and one can see the Padmavati grounds in M.V.P. Colony abuzz with activity in the evenings. There are others who like to sweat it out at the gymnasium. Says P. Sai Kumar: " The cool temperature is ideal for work-outs. One does not tire quickly as in summer and a few more exercises can be added to the daily schedule."
Rain spells brisk business for tea and coffee shops as well as for the owners of the pakori, bajji, chat and panipoori stalls. It brings out the flavour of these foodstuffs and each one wants to munch something hot.
In the past, star hotels in the city had organised rain dances during the season, and are expected to do it this year as well. Along with the rain dance, there is always a menu of mouth-watering dishes.
With the onset of the monsoon, many get busy with their gardening tools. The ones who maintain a garden of their own swarm plant nurseries to buy new saplings as the season is just right for gardening, as it rains every second day and there is also sufficient sunlight.
Every year people have a gala time welcoming the rain. Those who scramble for shelter every time the skies open up may not realise what they are missing. As for the ones who do, they forget about hair dryers, make-up and clean clothes. They love the rain and donot bother about getting dirty.
SHAZEEL M BASHA
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