Sunday, October 7, 2012

Faith holds

There was a rickety, wooden chair in my house. As a child I sat on it while my mother plaited my hair each day before school. It was a ritual. Unruly tangles giving in to the firm strokes. There was a wince now and then followed by a tap on the head with the back of the comb. The result was two neat plaits, ready just in time for school. I did not have a mental alarm those days, maybe my mother did. What I had was faith that I would be ready in time for the bus. I sat without a worry in my head on that chair each morning.

Many summers passed and I got married. Not to a boy I had known since high school, or a guy I met at a pub, Nor a colleague, neither a client. I married a stranger. No courtship apart from a few formally arranged dinners with older chaperones. Suitable age, suitable boy, a good education and a steady job were benchmarks on which I put my faith. To face the seasons together, come what may, was the faith and it is running it's course.

Kids came and so did worries and mental alarms. Faith might have faltered in the small battles, but we keep moving forward each day because we trust, because we have faith.

It is festival time again. The time to celebrate our faith with family and friends.  To spread cheer through new clothes, new shoes, chants and hymns, frankincense and sweets, good food and fresh garlands. To hold a promise, to keep faith that this year too shall bring us joy and hold us together like all the years that have gone by.

The idol, though beautiful, is but an excuse, a face, to all that is good in the human spirit. More than the idol, I put my faith in the potter's loving hand. Faith that generations will continue to create this beautiful symbol of goodness on earth.

If God creates man, some men do return the favour with love

17 comments:

R. Ramesh said...

very nice to read this such positive post sujata..and very nice to be able to post a comment here...dunno..it has been a big challenge..all's well..

anilkurup59 said...

That was pretty well written crisp piece. I endorse the sentiments.

Meoww said...

Really enjoyed your piece! And so true. Blind faith in your parents, spouse and tradition sometimes works wonders :)

Kavi said...

Simply superb. And how true ! Many of these festivals become 'milestones' of sorts ! More to show that one more year has passed and one more year beckons. Bristling with possibility and love !

One of your best posts! Poignant with emotion, love and hope !

Indrani said...

Good read! Happy Pujo Sujata! Enjoy!

sujata sengupta said...

@ Ramesh: Hope the problem of posting a comment here is solved.

@ Anil : Thanks :)

@Meoww : Thanks for visiting. Yeah faith makes us achieve which, at times, reasoning doesn't.

@Kavi : Thanks Kavi.

@Indrani : You have a great pujo too Indrani.

Anonymous said...

You said it dear. It is all about faith. :-) Happy Festival Season to you too. :-)

Ire said...

Lovely post Sujata! I have memories of watching my sister cringe while her hair was being plaited! (evil glee).

Looking forward to my first proper Durga Pujo in Delhi!

Arun Meethale Chirakkal said...

Short and sweet, have a good time!

deeps said...

thats a celebration, a feast of faith...

Sumandebray said...

Read it .. liked it ...
All I can say is jai Ho and laage raho

Divya said...

This is really well-written :) :) I actually loved reading each and every line of this post! Kudos to you!

sujata sengupta said...

@Jyothi : Thanks and a happy season to you too.

@ Nikita : what about your hair? you had them cut short? Enjoy pujo, esp the boron :)

@ Arun : You have a good time too Arun :)

@ Deeps : Thanks

@ SDR :)

@ Divya : Thanks girl :)


Sneha said...

You couldn't have put it better, Sujata.

Destiny's child... said...

That's just the kind of post one must read in the morning. I am at my office desk and this put a smile on my face. Thank you, Sujata. :)

Pesto Sauce said...

DOn't say a stranger, he may be someone waiting for you for eternity

Anyways is Durga Pujo big here in Muscat? Not heard much about it unlike gharba and dandiya

sujata sengupta said...

@ Thanks Sneha

@ Destiny's Child :)

@ Pesto Sauce : Have you been to the Shiv Temple in Muttrah? The Durga Puja in Muscat is held there. Its not big in size of the idol, but its huge if you go by the crowd. The temple closes at 9PM sharp so try and make it before that. Evening aarti is sometime during 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Have a good Pujo.