I cramped into ramshackle taxi and waiting it
to move. When all seats became full
driver start with lots of attitude. I
was going Bhowali, which is small town near Nainital, to see Nanda Devi
Festival there…
When I reached Bhowali I moved to temple.
Though I was thinking temple would be overcrowded but for my irony temple was
empty. Few saints were there and two priests
were doing prayer in main temple of Goddess Nanda…
This festival is vastly celebrated in
Uttarakhand, India. It says that this festival has begun from 16th
century which is still celebrates by the local people. The special thing about festival is that the
Idol of Goddesses makes by the local artisans. Basic structure of idol make by
banana tree. This is very time taking and tedious work. It starts one day
before festival. Next day priest bring
them to the main temple and grand celebration starts…
Well I went to idol of Nanda and Sunanda
which was glittering with jewelry and gaudy items. I saw one priest between two
was a young guy at the age of 14-15 only. If he is doing this seriously then it would be
really shocking but I am sure after festival he will turn into his daily life. My
only goal was to click pictures but I did prayer also because one priest came and
gave me flower petals and rice seeds. After clicking pictures I turned out…
I told by one guy that some cultural
functions are going on in this occasion. I went to the hall which was pitched
on bare field. Hall was almost empty when I entered. Red & white plastic chair arranged in one
corner of hall and 4-5 big white sofas were placed in front of plastic chairs,
which must be for special guest. I was thinking to sit on plastic chair but then
a guy came and offered me to sit in white sofa. I was treating like special guest
I thought. Well that guy knew me as a journalist, which he told me later. I
occupied seat in white sofa and noticed raised platform at the other end where
program would be start. There some more sofas were placed…
Hall was still empty but ear-deafening devotional
music was blearing through loudspeaker. I don’t understand why always blear
music in such volume which can’t be tolerated by anyone but people enjoy this
chaotic sound. Well I changed my seat to
secure my ears from this sound. When I was busy in observing inside activity then
group of dancers took entry. They were dancing regional dance called CHHOLIYA
which is basically a fighter’s dance that’s’ why they always carry sword and in
their hands. But for my irony dancers
were dancing in their own music and loudspeaker were still blearing songs…
After this dance crowd start coming in
hall. One lady came to me and ask – are
you journalist ? From which paper you belong ? You saw paintings ? My son won
award for his painting. She did not
wait for me to reply and continue talking then she walks to the stage where
paintings were hanging on the wall. I left alone again. 3-4 child artists came and
went to back stage. Meanwhile few local artists took stage and start their
performance luckily music has turned off now. One of them came to mike and shows
his grief about spoiling culture…
Organizers were sprinting from one end to
other and busy to give instructions. Hall was pack now so as white sofas.
Anchor came on stage give opening speech and start calling name who would be
the chief guests. After 2-3 name anchor announced my name and said – Vineeta Yashswi please come on stage.
I was amused by my name… I was there as a viewer not as a chief guest. But that
time I could not do anything so moved to stage where a lady tie badge on my
chest...
This program went on till 5 minutes and
then anchor again give stage to artist. And they start their performance.
Though drum is not part of local music but now this is the age of fusion so we
should accept this. I noticed that one
room is attached behind the main stage for artist to change. From where kids were popping out to see stage
program. I was on stage so not able to click pictures but I did try to click
some...
Between the program hustle- bustle become
fast and everybody went to the gate. I came to know that special chief guest of
program is about to reach, who was Honorable Uttarakhand State Minister Mr. Govind
S. Kunjwal . Everybody went to gate to receive him. He entered into hall
surrounded by huge mob. He seems to be a simple person. He wished everyone then
came to stage and takes his position. Round of tea and sweet starts now. Anchor
again hold mike and thank to Honorable Minister to accept invitation to come on
the occasion and request him to start program officially to light the wick
lamp. One magazine also has been released by him so he called him to release the
book and also called us to join him...
After this I walked off from the stage. One
guy offered me food which was arranged by the organizers. I went to another
hall which was attached with this hall. One long wooden table was surrounded
with people where food was served. I also stand there. Food which was Rise, Dal,
Sabzi and pickle served to me on dry leaf plate. For me this was the best part
of this whole program. I thank everybody to give me such respect and back to
taxi stand…
