Ch 5: Traditional is beautiful!

Being traditional does not mean that you are boring or outdated. It means you know how to respect our culture and our rich heritage. Wearing traditional dresses with colourful bangles and tips only highlights your beauty. Saree, bangles. etc is a symbol of our culture, a fashion statement, which allows us to view style and tradition under the same roof. And I realised the true significance of this during the Pahela Baishakh festival of that year.

It was 14th April,the morning of Pahela Baishakh, also known as the Bengali New Year. At the start of the day, during Pohela Boishakh, the most highlighted rally takes place. Mangal Shobhajatra, which is a grand procession that was initiated by the students of Dhaka University during the Bengali independence movement, started the auspicious day with an energetic rhythm. The procession showcases gigantic masks and floats that show our historical and cultural themes. It is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil and unity in diversity.

Every year on this day, the most anticipated baisakhi mela takes place, and to celebrate this mega event, people gather in large numbers wearing traditional dresses. The streets of the TSC area and the surrounding pathway get adorned with colourful decorations known as alpona, which consists of traditional designs with flowers and shapes. The streets become a work of art. The hawkers make crowns with different flowers, whose sweet fragrance fills the air. Couples buy these crowns as a sweet statement for one another. It is beautiful scenery to behold, people wearing traditional dresses and grooving to our cultural values.

One simply can not miss the energetic and vibrant processions that dwindle through the streets. Men, women, and children of all ages and social classes come together to celebrate their true identity of being Bengali. The children enthusiastically draw thematic drawings on their cheeks, carrying colourful banners and placards. The rhythmic sounds of dhak and dhol increases the vibrant and richness of the festival.

I was just casually visiting the mela since I was single, and was buying sweets, and just enjoying myself. Yes, it might be a bit awkward for some readers, but I do wander off all alone ,walking through the streets, because sometimes I wanna be left alone. And on that day, I did the same, just trying to avoid the crowd. Little did I know that a goddess from heaven would also visit the earth, and seeing my crush in that dress was adorning and mesmerizing.

She was wearing an off-white saree, with red on the edges and black floral pattern covering much of the saree. The colours represent peace and purity and I was completely lost in her beauty and admiration. She had always been the centre of my attention, and today was no exception. Her saree was a masterpiece in itself, red on white, which is the most picturesque colour combination. Together with the patterns and delicate embroidery, it looked as if an artist had painted on it. The white fabric gleamed like moonlight, contrasting perfectly with the rich, vibrant red borders. She looked so divine and gorgeous that for a moment or two, I just stood there in the otherside of the road just in awe.

I could not help but admire the way she effortlessly carried herself in that saree. It was a testament to her personality, which was elegant and strong. It was a reminder that true beauty comes from within, and the saree was merely an extension of her inner radiance. But it was not just the saree that caught my attention. She had a radiant smile, and gracefulness which was amplified by the elegant draping of the traditional attire. When she walked or simply moved her straightened hairs, it would dance off her shoulders. In the bright yellow sun, her white saree and the vibrant red tonne reflected a delightful sight. Trust me, a woman on a saree is better than any supermodel on this planet. Traditional is beautiful, Traditional is a remark to our cultural values.

I guess this was the exact moment my likings of her turned into an endless love. She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with until the very end of my time. She was an angel sent down on earth. The way she moved around in that saree was just too mesmerizing to handle. The saree in itself seemed to come alive, as if it was specifically designed just for her. In that very moment, the reality was changed into a fairytale. It was like that the very fabric of reality had paused just for me to bear witness the beauty and magic that she showered in her presence and her adornment of that saree.

I wanted to go there going there and say hello, and it was the perfect opportunity to start the long process, but she was there with her friends including a couple of male friends who were far more bold and confident than me. I could see her enjoying and living the moment. While on a distant coast, I was observing her with a smile and gracefulness. I wish I could have expressed her and how I felt, but I was afraid that I simply didn't have any feature for her to like me. I wasn't physically or mentally attractive. I mean who was I?

As the day drew to a close, the sky was illuminated with the vibrant, glowing colours of fireworks and some lanterns that were flying around the night sky. The jubilant atmosphere continued to transcend into the night as families and friends gathered to exchange their greetings.

She went back with her friends, while I got to enjoy the moment with a romantic sensation in my heart and deep into my soul.The eve of Bengali New Year filled the atmosphere with great hope, prosperity, and joy. I thought to myself, maybe this is the year I will get the love of my life.