Ruchira celebrates Spring with all its beauty and festivities. An exclusive for Different Truths.

When daffodils begin to peer,
With heigh! the doxy, over the dale,
Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge,
With heigh! the sweet birds, O, how they sing!.

~ William Shakespeare

 Spring, beauteous Spring is the most loved and popular among all seasons found across the entire  Indian subcontinent. Since India happens to be, by and large a topical country, the predominant   season is summer, accessorised by a medium winter that seldom lasts beyond three months in the plains. As winter begins to wane, and the inhabitants gear up to tackle the infernal “sweaty” season,  Spring season steps in… bringing in its trail a whiff of freshness.

In literature and poetry, cutting across nationalities and languages, Spring is portrayed as a female of effulgent beauty, an epitome of grace and charm. The balmy fragrant breeze that begins to blow during this season is likened to her freely flowing cascading tresses.

In literature and poetry, cutting across nationalities and languages, Spring is portrayed as a female of effulgent beauty, an epitome of grace and charm. The balmy fragrant breeze that begins to blow during this season is likened to her freely flowing cascading tresses. She is made to appear as an exuberant and vivacious personality. The profusion of blossoms during the season is depicted as her ornaments. There is also an enchanting, nay seductive aura about spring, for she sets the hearts of pretty maidens aflutter; kindles the flame of passion in hearts of gallant, virile men. Instant chemistry is triggered off, which may last an entire lifetime.

During Spring, Nature turns into a vast canvas splashed with motley of shades and hues. For instance, in Japan, delicate pink cherry blossoms set forests and gardens afire, while thousands of miles away in Netherlands hundreds of  thousands of tulips create a colourful façade across undulating meadows and open fields. Not far away, across the English Channel, vibrant yellow daffodils leave the verdant English countryside swathed in gold. As Wordsworth, the renowned Nature poet recollects:  “When all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.”

Closer home, during the  ephemeral Spring season, vast stretches of landscapes come alive  with  the abundant blooming of Palash (flame of the forest), Simul (silk cotton), Gulmohar  (Laburnum), Jacaranda among many more. This maddening  riot of  colours casts a spell over your senses !

A popular belief doing the rounds nowadays is that Saraswati  puja is the desi/ ethnic version of Valentine’s Day! The occidental Valentine’s Day too is in vogue across our country. The crowning glory of Indian springtime is Holi of course.

Spring season is packed with festivals. Beginning with Basant Panchami

(literally, fifth day of spring) when Devi Saraswati the Muse governing knowledge, music, fine arts et al is  fêted by the vast community of students, artists and musicians. A popular belief doing the rounds nowadays is that Saraswati  puja is the desi/ ethnic version of Valentine ’s Day! The occidental Valentine’s Day too is in vogue across our country. The crowning glory of Indian springtime is Holi of course.

Aeons ago, (if the legend and myths are anything to go by) this festival had romantic social as well as spiritual undertones. At one level, the multitude of colours signify the welter of emotions that exist between young lovers as well as married couples. On yet another plain, Holi characterises harmony, brotherhood, and bonhomie. The blend of colours act as a great leveller –wiping away all differences based on cast, creed and shade – to form a harmonious whole!

Photo from the Internet