Even though the monsoon clouds

wink at us from afar

and shed a few tears now and then

on our parched land

the people of my state will not hesitate

from celebrating the month of Sawan (monsoon).

Sawan for us means

Henna tattoo painting
dancing peacocks
festivals with folk dances

girls on swings in mango orchards

and when the pitter patter of
raindrops are heard
delicious savories called
samosas and pakoras liven
the enjoyment

together with cups of'
hot sweet milky chai (tea)

the bhuttawala or corn seller
is seen at every street corner
roasting corn on the cob
which is served with
salt and pepper with a dash of lemon juice.


I bought these colocasia leaves very cheaply from the

vegetable market

and made colocasia rollups
with spices and gram flour (besan)
Last week Hindu women celebrated
Hariyali Teej.
They perform rituals in temples and
get together for music and dancing
wearing green sarees.
You can see henna tattoo painting
and girls on the swing.
They are singing special songs called Kajri.
Its like our Indian 'country" music
with delightful stories in them.

I recorded these short videos
from a TV program