Just as I was sipping my morning tea, my cell phone, gave me a vibrating nudge. There was a text message. To my dismay, it coldly informed me, that a close associate had expired early that morning, and the funeral would be at 9=00 AM. I checked my other appointments for the day. I, was also scheduled to attend a wedding at 11=45 AM and a wedding reception along with my wife, Varsha, in the evening.
"They are waiting for his daughter to arrive from Pune." said another.
" Does that mean, we will have to wait here for the rest of the morning? another interposed with a degree of resignation.
" Why don't they inform all the relatives in advance? specially those who are far off". This later remark brought out suppressed smiles all around.
"Don't be stupid", came a sharp rebuke, "He didn't know he was dying".
"He must have had some indication, if not he at least the family...", put in someone, helpfully.
The discussion went thus, later it shifted to the late monsoon, the political scams, the increasing power in the hands of women (obviously as no women usually come to the ghat, which other place offers such a wonderful opportunity to deride those of the other sex.), the fall in the stock market, the rise in the price of Bullion, and land and commodities, and off course the latest achievements or otherwise of our 'men in blue'.
Once in a while, they remembered that they were at the "Ghat", for a specific purpose, and they would fall silent, and murmur under their breaths, that the departed was indeed a jolly good fellow. Never the less some one from the group would add, that though this was true, he had gone overboard with drink, and had brought this on himself.
After an hour or so, the cortege arrived. With the usual commotion that follows such an event, the rituals were performed and the body consigned to the flames. Every one was eager to leave, and soon the place was almost empty. Only the forlorn young sons of the dead, remained rooted near the burning pyre. I expressed my condolences to them, and too took my leave.
While dining I found myself in the very same company which was at the funeral. Obviously the morning discussions continued, the only difference was that, as the markets had opened, one could hear the latest performance of the SENSEX, and NIFTY, and off course the new twist in the 2G spectrum Scam!
The evening reception, was indeed another great opportunity for social intercourse. To the dismay of the early arrivals, the wedded couple hadn't yet arrived on stage. In a corner a lady was crooning old and new film songs, with a band in tow. The entire area was brightly lit, and buffet tables arranged all around.
Loitering here and there, I found myself again, with, who else but the same group. Now they were all in formals, and to complete the aesthetics, demanded by the occasion, were with their better halves, who were all aglitter with their gold and diamonds, exuding the loveliest of fragrances.
The ladies had their own topics, of how well their children had fared in the various entrance tests, and where they were seeking admissions, at the same time estimating the price of the sarees and the genuineness or otherwise of the jewelry their friends were wearing, and discussing which 'gym' offered the most effective 'weight reducing' programme, and where they could get the latest fashion accessories at a bargain.
The men were again at the game of 'who knows more'. Finally the couple arrived on stage and we all stood in a queue to greet them. We helped ourselves to the exquisite fare that was on offer, and after some more discussions with colleagues and friends, we bid each other adieu, with a promise, to keep in touch. A promise we never keep, but we do manage to meet, off course at the next funeral or wedding.
I, reached the घाट (cremation ground, on the river bank), a bit early. Quite a few of our set were already there.
"When is the cortege coming?, a newly arrived friend asked."They are waiting for his daughter to arrive from Pune." said another.
" Does that mean, we will have to wait here for the rest of the morning? another interposed with a degree of resignation.
" Why don't they inform all the relatives in advance? specially those who are far off". This later remark brought out suppressed smiles all around.
"Don't be stupid", came a sharp rebuke, "He didn't know he was dying".
"He must have had some indication, if not he at least the family...", put in someone, helpfully.
The discussion went thus, later it shifted to the late monsoon, the political scams, the increasing power in the hands of women (obviously as no women usually come to the ghat, which other place offers such a wonderful opportunity to deride those of the other sex.), the fall in the stock market, the rise in the price of Bullion, and land and commodities, and off course the latest achievements or otherwise of our 'men in blue'.
Once in a while, they remembered that they were at the "Ghat", for a specific purpose, and they would fall silent, and murmur under their breaths, that the departed was indeed a jolly good fellow. Never the less some one from the group would add, that though this was true, he had gone overboard with drink, and had brought this on himself.
After an hour or so, the cortege arrived. With the usual commotion that follows such an event, the rituals were performed and the body consigned to the flames. Every one was eager to leave, and soon the place was almost empty. Only the forlorn young sons of the dead, remained rooted near the burning pyre. I expressed my condolences to them, and too took my leave.
I, barely had half an hour to reach the wedding hall. The मंगलाष्टका (wedding invocations) had already begun, and along with other late-comers, I stood near the door of the hall showering blessings in the form of अक्षता ( rice grain) on the couple (off course not one grain of the rice thrown by me reached the couple, hope fully the blessings did!).This was done every time "सावधान", was uttered, by the officiating गुरुजी (priest). After the अंतरपाट (separating screen) was withdrawn, symbolising removal of all barriers between the couple, and garlands were exchanged, we all went to the dining section for the wedding feast. An interesting fact to note, is that the guests will invariably dine before the couple, who would be occupied with the होम (offerings to the God of fire), and सप्तपदी (wedding vows) and sundry other poojas.
While dining I found myself in the very same company which was at the funeral. Obviously the morning discussions continued, the only difference was that, as the markets had opened, one could hear the latest performance of the SENSEX, and NIFTY, and off course the new twist in the 2G spectrum Scam!
The evening reception, was indeed another great opportunity for social intercourse. To the dismay of the early arrivals, the wedded couple hadn't yet arrived on stage. In a corner a lady was crooning old and new film songs, with a band in tow. The entire area was brightly lit, and buffet tables arranged all around.
Loitering here and there, I found myself again, with, who else but the same group. Now they were all in formals, and to complete the aesthetics, demanded by the occasion, were with their better halves, who were all aglitter with their gold and diamonds, exuding the loveliest of fragrances.
The ladies had their own topics, of how well their children had fared in the various entrance tests, and where they were seeking admissions, at the same time estimating the price of the sarees and the genuineness or otherwise of the jewelry their friends were wearing, and discussing which 'gym' offered the most effective 'weight reducing' programme, and where they could get the latest fashion accessories at a bargain.
The men were again at the game of 'who knows more'. Finally the couple arrived on stage and we all stood in a queue to greet them. We helped ourselves to the exquisite fare that was on offer, and after some more discussions with colleagues and friends, we bid each other adieu, with a promise, to keep in touch. A promise we never keep, but we do manage to meet, off course at the next funeral or wedding.
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