Echoes of Eid

Nostalgic Reflections on the Festive Celebrations of Yesteryear

By Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi

AS I strolled homeward bound, the iridescent hues of dusk slowly melting into the melancholy of evening, a sudden cry from behind broke the serenity. My little cousin, with his impish grin and sparkling eyes, beckoned me towards him. His words burst forth like a delightful symphony, “Look what I’ve got for Eid, new clothes to adorn my personage! And pray tell, dear cousin, have you also graced your wardrobe with the finest attire, or do the years deem you exempt from such revelry?” In an instant, my heart was aflutter, caught off guard by his innocent query. With a gentle smile, I replied in earnest, confessing that I had not indulged in the customary pursuit of acquiring new garments for Eid. Yet, his inquiry lingered in my mind, igniting a poignant reflection on my past adolescent years. In that moment, I was transported to a bygone era, reminiscing on how ardently we craved the arrival of Eid, eagerly anticipating the new clothes that would adorn our youthful frames.

Once upon a time, the Eid of yore was a glorious celebration of pure delight. How vividly I recall those endless nights of wakefulness when the dawn finally broke! And yet, as my mother’s gentle voice roused us from our slumber, our weary eyes were stirred by the sweetest scent and aroma of joy.Truly, those were the moments that made life worth living, and we reveled in their glory as if they were the very essence of our existence. Oh, how our souls were lifted by the bountiful array of bakery and confectionery that graced our lips with each delectable bite.  We knew that the delights of the day were only just beginning. For there was a world of wonder waiting to be explored, and we would savor every moment of it with the same joy and delight that had fueled us through the night.. People would traverse across the town, bearing gifts of warm embraces and jovial laughter, spreading love and joy as they went. The air was rich with the sweet aroma of fresh fruit, exchanged as a gesture of love between relatives. And oh, the children! They were bestowed with the coveted eidi, a cherished token of appreciation and love on this blessed occasion. Alas, those days are gone, but the memories of that joyous time remain etched in our hearts forever

In this age of technological marvels and superficial connections, the once cherished sentiments of love and compassion have been callously replaced by the treacherous vices of jealousy, covetousness and envy. The advent of mobile phones has only exacerbated this malady, as we now barely make the effort to visit our loved ones, preferring instead to send a cursory text as a mere formality. The pure and noble emotion of love has been relegated to the annals of history, replaced by the cold and sterile world of virtual communication. Oh, how the heart aches for those simpler times when love was the cornerstone of our existence!In the bygone era, I fondly recollect the joyous occasion of Eid, where the pious and devout would gather to offer their prayers with fervor and devotion. The air would be thick with the sweet fragrance of love and blessings, as friends and family would embrace each other with genuine and candid hearts, their faces aglow with the radiance of love. Ah, those were the days when children would flock to the nearby parks, their laughter and playful screams echoing through the surroundings as they indulged in various recreational activities. But alas, those treasured memories now lie forgotten in the pages of time, a distant and fading echo of a simpler time.when the world was innocent and pure.

The Girls would gather to adorn their hands with the intricate patterns of mehndi, a cherished art that only a few masters could command. The sheer beauty of the designs was such that young girls and children alike would flock to these artists, patiently waiting in long and winding queues for their turn to have their hands embellished with the rich and radiant colors of mehndi. Oh, how those memories were treasured, etched in the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to have experienced such simple yet profound joys. During my tender years, the festivities of Eid were often marred by the presence of firecrackers, a bane that I abhorred with every fiber of my being. The ignoble deeds of the mischievous young scamps who hurled these incendiary fireworks towards their innocent peers, particularly the gentle maidens who pleaded for mercy, were a source of great distress. Alas, their supplications fell upon deaf ears, and they were left to writhe in agony as the explosive blasts rent the air, while the perpetrators cackled with glee at their tormented cries.

As I weave the tapestry of my recollections, a vivid memory springs forth from the depths of my mind – a memory steeped in tradition and festivity. It is the memory of elders engaging in a rousing game of toss ring during the joyous occasion of Eid, vying for coveted prizes with every skillful toss. And yet, amidst the excitement and merriment, there existed a playful subterfuge – the children’s crafty fibs about receiving the highest eidi, adding a delightful touch of whimsy to the festive air. In my youthful days, I indulged in the purchase of trinkets and eyewear priced at a humble sum of rupees ten. I vividly recall basking in the glory of my imagination, envisioning myself as a Bollywood protagonist, wielding a toy gun in one hand and donning a pair of spectacles in the other. It wasn’t long ago when I was chided for my ineptitude in mealtime etiquette, with a perplexed inquiry as to why I adorned glasses if I couldn’t even dine correctly. Albeit in our nascent years, we may have been oblivious to certain concepts, but somehow, we retain them in our memory, and eventually, the veil is lifted, and we gain a deeper understanding of the message being conveyed to us. Oh, how the past beckons with its cherished tales, begging to be revisited and relived! As the day draws to a close, and the sun surrenders to the embrace of the night, we trudge back to our humble abodes, laden with the weariness of the day. Our minds racing with anticipation, we implore our parents, “Is tomorrow Eid as well?” The affirmative response from them evokes a sensation of unparalleled elation and euphoria within us. Our countenances illuminated with joy, our parents proceed to inquire about the manner in which we’ve expended our Eidi. They advise us to invest in something useful, instead of squandering it on firecrackers. They also urge us to opt for healthier alternatives like fruits instead of junk food.Nostalgia consumes me as I reminisce about the Eid festivities of yesteryear, now a distant memory.

The weight of our current responsibilities has rendered us unable to relive those cherished moments. Now I comprehend why some individuals professed that Eid was solely for us as Indeed, really we were the undisputed monarchs of that era.

• The author is a columnist and Poet pursuing msc In zoology. He tweets @peermohdamir and can be mailed at [email protected]

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