Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain

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Oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter pater, pitter pater
Oh, oh, oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter pater, pitter pater 

A lilting melody by The Cascades celebrates the beauty of a wondrous phenomenon called rain! This golden oldie hums in my mind as the monsoon arrives in the month of July every year. On the stage plays a giant rhythmic orchestra pittering and patering in synchronized chorus, announcing relief. The parched earth gets liberated from the tyranny of a long hot summer.

Sitting in my verandah, sipping a steaming cup of fine Assam tea, it was a pleasure to watch the rain drops fall unceasingly on the tree leaves, the flower pots, the window sill, the garden furniture, the porch, the thirsty earth and all others that were deprived of hydration since many days. The accumulated rain water meandered in tiny rivulets in the kitchen garden making puddles. The earth reciprocated in gratitude by emitting merry little bubbles, as if soaking in the manna from heaven.

The heavy downpour gives out sounds, sights and smells all around. (Smell of the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil (Petrichor (/ˈpɛtrɪkɔːr/), I learned recently). When in the hills, the rain fragrance is a mix of pine and flowers. And by the ocean, it’s a salty infusion.  

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Kids dashed out of their houses squealing with joy. They were carrying a squeezable variety of mango that’s a pleasure to slurp in this monsoon rain. I rejoiced with them every time they skipped over and conquered a puddle. Caring words, “Don’t slip. Watch out for that muddy puddle. Carry your umbrella. Huddle under a tree” were heard from somewhere far.

A vegetable vendor stood under a thick tree waiting for the rain to stop. The street cobbler, Kishen, shielded himself under a tarpaulin. He sat on his haunches with a far-away look. He afforded no A.C. The thick foliage of the mango tree lends him a workplace roof. I could sense his relief, greater than mine. A lesson in gratitude for me.

As the temperature drops after the downpour, the liver becomes magnanimous. Savory spicy fritters (pakoras) cooked in mustard oil become easy to digest. I embalmed the deep-fried delicacies in mint chutney and slid them down my throat. My mind aroused no guilt. Calorie counting definitely isn’t for this season, I contended.  

Blissfully, during the heavy rains, no one says “don’t waste the day away!”. Everyone slows down instilling in empathy for those around. The rain calms; soothing away the anxieties of any self-imposed stress. A lesson on relinquishing control, teaching that not everything revolves around us.

The rain nourishes memories as much as it does the earth. To the harried lot, rain is calming; eliciting appreciation for the little events happening around us. It just needs a trained mind to pick up the lessons taught by nature.  Cheers!!