Everyone loves the monsoon, from playful humans to thriving animals, thirsty plants to dense forests, every living thing celebrates the arrival of rain. It gives a rejuvenating break from the mundane monotony. This unending rain feels pleasant, which makes the whole world look even more beautiful.
After the scorching heat of May in India, the arrival of rain in June feels like a big warm hug from nature to everyone. Rain is more than wet weather; those dark clouds are not ominous.
India has traditionally been a country whose economy has largely depended on agriculture. For centuries farming has been the lifeblood of the nation long before the irrigation systems sprouted. For some regions, poverty and lack of knowledge have kept traditional methods alive and passed down through generations.
And monsoon is the ultimate watering can for the farmers. If the rain falters, crops suffer, leading to a Domino effect. Food prices go up, pinching every household budget and forcing tough choices. History shows that governments have even crumbled under the pressure of food price hikes – that’s how critical these rains are!
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But the monsoon is more than just a farmer’s friend. Picture India, sizzling sub-tropical land, summers scorch with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and North India regularly boils over 40 degrees Celsius. And then the monsoon arrives a cool knight in shining armour.
The rain expected joined the air conditioner bringing down the temperature and blessing everyone with pleasant weather and refreshing wind. And that is the monsoon magic nourishing crops, keeping food affordable, and offering a welcome respite from the heat. It’s a force that shapes not just the land but the very soul of India.
Picture this: you’re sitting near your window, curled up in a blanket listening to the rain drumming on the roof. And suddenly this scent fills the air – that’s petrichor, the early aroma of rain-kissed soil. Stress-busting aroma.
This scent isn’t as pleasant, it’s powerful. It takes you back to the cozy childhood memories making you feel safe and relaxed. Having said that, rain isn’t just about the smell (petrichor). The sound of the rain is another add-on, raindrops pitter-pattering on the window pane, leaves whispering secrets in the breeze, and the steady rhythm of dripping water – it’s like Mother Nature’s singing you a lullaby.
This calming background noise, sometimes called “white noise,” is like magic for your mind. It relaxes you and washes away worries, leaving you feeling peaceful and ready to unwind. No wonder people drift off to sleep faster and snooze more soundly when the rain is pouring.
Rain is like nature’s Glow-up. Dull colours suddenly pop, everything gleams like it’s brand new, and puddles become little windows reflecting the sky and everything around them. It’s like the whole world is telling you to slow down, stare into the reflections, and let your imagination run wild or give it rest (if that’s what you prefer).
Kids wear raincoats and carry umbrellas on their way to school. Even with all that, they still get a little wet. Sitting in class with damp clothes isn’t exactly comfortable, but no one cares about catching a cold at that moment – the joy of rain outweighs any practicality (that, of course, comes with age).
Torrential downpours often meant school holidays! A chance to play games on the verandah, watching the rain come down. To make paper boats, sending them sailing in the little streams that flow outside, racing to see how far they can travel before sinking. Board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders keep the people entertained indoors.
Most nights during heavy rain, the power goes out – trees and wind conspiring to knock down power lines. You get to do everything by candlelight, even studying for exams if they loom. These nights sound magical, don’t they?
Nothing you eat now compares to the pure garam chai and pakora – a match made in heaven, on a rainy day. And nothing inspires you to finish reading that novel you’ve been meaning to finish for months like the sound of rain in the background; it just sets the mood right.
Trekking in the rain is not for everyone but for those who get it, know the magic of it. And if you’re lucky enough to spot a peacock dancing with its vibrant feathers on display, it’s a moment that will make your heart soar. And with eyes wide with wonder, children chase rainbows across the sky.
And if there was a match as ICONIC as chai and pakora- in rains, then it has to be Bollywood and barish. It’s like the b in Bollywood stands for barish. Remember Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? SRK in black, Kajol in a red sari, dancing under the rain at summer camp & that “mai Delhi bol raha hu Maddy se” scene from Rehna hai tere dil me, makes you fall in love with rain all over again.
And while most rain songs with drenched saris can be a bit, well, one-sided serving the male gaze, I love seeing the joy rain brings to women too. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan letting loose in “Barso Re” (Guru) and Kareena Kapoor-Khan splashing around in “Bhage Re Mann” (Chameli) were so refreshing!
Rain helps the filmmakers to show all kinds of emotions – lovey-dovey, scary, suspenseful, the whole kit and kaboodle. But it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. (literally!). Tumbbad is that creepy horror film. It rains non-stop, which fits the movie’s whole “greed is bad” vibe.
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It’s like the rain itself is saying, “Run away! This is gonna be a rough ride!” The director even said they filmed the whole thing in the rain, almost for four monsoons. They wanted viewers to feel as uncomfortable and gloomy as the characters. Rain in Bollywood is a character.
Rain songs? We all have our favourites, right? And you’re practically hearing one playing in your head right now? That’s the thing about this “Bollywood and Barish” they both tap into those shared memories, those scenes that make us all smile (or maybe even sing along and dance to its rhythm)
The monsoon isn’t just a season, it’s a melody. It nourishes the land, a lifeline for farmers. It’s a playful dance partner for children, splashing in puddles and sending paper boats sailing. Artists find inspiration in its hues, and filmmakers capture its essence in iconic scenes. So the next time you see anyone dancing in the rain, remember – it’s more than just getting wet. And that’s why everyone loves the monsoon.
Authored by Priyanshi Kharwade, a 3rd year B.Voc. Media and Communication student at Fergusson.
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Best sum up about this season 🥹