Damsels trilling melodious ‘Eid Roufs’ are going shriller into the environs, honey-bees humming with hymns to glorify and exalt the Tawheed of Allah (SWT) are spreading divinely aroma in the skies, festive aura is scratching hidden treasures of joy and gaiety among people of all shades, angels donning heavenly attires are embracing fasters under their wings of mercy and clemency, exchange of greetings and felicitations among Muslim brethren in the Eidgah is eliminating the tar of jealousy and grudge from their hearts, repetition of Allahu Akbar reverberates honeyed symphony into ears, constant resonance and pulsation of Duroodi Huzoor from the tall minarets and domes of mosques calm and balm bruised souls, spiritual solitude and seclusion of Aitikaf purifies hearts with the nectar of divine proximity and communion, Weeping willows with drooping withies are in prostration to implore for the fasters, horizons are radiating the grace and elegance of Jannah, euphonious skylarks and canaries are caroling Hamds on tree branches and roofs of houses.
Wafts of air are brimming with Joy, jubilation and joie de vivre, because it is Eid-ul-Fitre today. Eid vibes have begun to sprout from my bosom, gushing springs of fervour and festivity are proliferating sumptuously, and a gamboling child of my bygone days is inducing me to walk down my memory lane. And lo, dozens of reminiscences flushed instantly upon the canvas of my mind. I lost my consciousness for a while, and began to stare at the frolicking child in me who would rejoice and make-merry on the festivity of Eid.
The child is dressed soberly and humbly, a pair of slippers in feet, donning a kurta pyjama of light shade, a toy-gun in hand, an ‘Eedi’ of some jingling coins in pocket, and a solitary ten rupee note drenched in turmeric hues because mothers and grandmothers would often use turmeric pots as piggy banks to save money for rainy days, is kept in an indigenously made trousseau. The child is but an avatar of my childhood.
I could see him capering in the immaculate and clean streets of my village when most the houses had thatched roofs, with no polythene trash scattered around, approaching shops to buy candies and biscuits. The then shop-fronts were crowded with giggling and gleeful children, spending their eedi very miserly to save it for a new dress or a pair of new shoes. Yet, Royal feelings would not cease to burgeon their bosoms. I just sank in the yore of my childhood, and began to delineate the fascinating events of my childhood Eid experiences.
Anticipation of Eid was sweeter than celebration. I vividly remember how every passing day of Ramadan would surge our longings and wait for Eid, and it would almost become our ambition on 29th day of the month. So, everyone among us would look for Abba and his transistor set to learn about the big announcement. Since ownership rights and the rotations of channels was the sole discretionary prerogative of my father, so I and my siblings used to swarm around him like honey-bees sticking to beehive.
Contrary to our blabby and chatty nature, all of us would sit tight-lipped. And my father would frequently change the position of his radio set for clear signal on medium wave, since the voice quality of our neighbouring radio station was mediocre. Interestingly, during those days, Radio was the only instant and reliable source to have an update about the crescent sighting. Neighbouring radio stations were popular in our part of the globe for the announcement of crescent sighting and live commentary of Indo-Pak cricket encounters. Otherwise, the poor quality radio waves would never entice listeners to switch on the channels. ” Shawal moon has been sighted ” was the magical phrase everyone was anticipating and eagerly waiting for. Our celebrations would begin with this proclamation from the radio set.
The night would look a mountain to climb. Insomnia of avidity and exuberance would keep the dawn of Eid away from us. Sense of disbelief would at a few moments make us skeptical. And finally, the Azan of Fajr would cement our belief , and we would rush towards the Masjid. Emergence of the sun on the horizon would spread the warmth and aroma Eid in our surroundings. So, it is finally Eid. Anticipation of spending quality time with pals and siblings would run euphoric sensations through our nerves. Few among us would even skip meals, because our day-long adventures would entice and engage us in entertaining and amusing enterprises. Eid was a day of freedom and liberty from the bondage of academic assignments and homework. A state of laxity and leniency though ephemeral would take our elation and ecstasy to the next level.
Unlike today, Eid was more than a festival for us. Bakery products were too meagre to last for more than a day or two. No smartphone and laptop screen were there to keep us captive. No digital gadgets could incarcerate us then. And consequently, no couch potatoes were seen among our peers and pals. Living and enjoying life to the fullest extent was our innate trait and probably a privilege as well. Vibrancy and exuberance of bygone days has vanished into the thin air. Ah ! The Eid of my childhood days is gone.
(Author is Teacher and a Columnist. He can be reached at: [email protected])
