NAIRUTYA MAARUT, JUNE-2012

Any significant event has its day marked on calendars around the world to get its due respect and celebration. We have them for almost anything we could remember – Independence day, Mother’s day, World environment day to name a few and these are the days which demand substantial attention from various sections of the society and government. India too has its share and if there’s one number which the whole country looks at with desperation, for its arrival, it’s none other than the powerful JUNE-1. It isn’t marked in the calendars as special nor has attached with it any government insignia but, for the past few million years this one day has influenced the lives of mankind, animals and natural vegetation inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. June-1 is the official date of entry of a romantic and economically significant phenomenon into the Indian Mainland and its when, the heaven’s open up. Millions of years of evolution have perfected this event to such levels of accuracy that its recurrence, year after year, is like the rhythmic beat of heart. The entire country depends on its faultless timing, which when overshot by even a week, results in disastrous consequences. The Monsoon accounts for roughly 80% of the total rainfall in India and even a delay of few days will impact the economy as its primitive agriculture, which accounts for 25% of the GDP, depends heavily on these seasonal rains. This yearly magic occurs between June-September and this is a period of “unimaginable ambience”, atleast to me and other few who love this phenomena. During the hot months preceding June, the Indian mainland heats up to unbearable levels causing a build up of low pressure trough over her. This low pressure sucks in moist air from adjoining seas, the specific heat capacity of water is high, and the moisture laden winds called “Nairutya Maarut” begin to spread across the peninsula and the Gangetic plains rapidly. The Western Ghats and the invincible Himalayas cause these moisture laden winds to rise and conquer them and the monsoon winds rise up without knowing it’s a geographical trap that will see them perish before they could get to the other side. The winds lose temperature rapidly upon ascent and then they pour, eventually, as there’s no let up in this till the God’s decide. If there’s one reason I would withstand the Indian summer, every year, it’s because of the fact that it lays the base for this seasonal magic. The first state to be hit by this annual rendezvous is none other than God’s own country “the ever addictive Kerala” and when it’s hit, the romantic ambience that begins to prevail for the next four months is priceless to be seen and felt. As a school going boy I used to watch with awe my rich dudes who would land up in their expensive cars but, a single sight of the school re-opening season in the monsoon lands of coastal Kerala and Karnataka changed my perceptions for ever. What a way to begin an academic year, what an environment to go, study and return back home, what a life? (In India June is also the beginning of an academic year) If Mr. God assured there’s a rebirth for me and if he also assures I would be born up in the Ghats, I’ll be courage enough to assure him of an instant death to my existing life. The 2012 edition had a very speculative start, after 2 continuous seasons of excess in 2010/2011, and the monsoon winds hit coastal Kerala on June/5. Though the state of Kerala has been receiving moderate to heavy rains, intermittently, through the month of May; official entry is declared when 60% of the 14 weather stations located in Lakshadweep Islands, Mangalore and Kerala record 2.5 MM of rain for 2 continuous days (the monitoring begins from May/10). As important as the “Official Hit” is the spread of Monsoon into the mainland to quench the thirst built over 3 preceding months of drought and heat. The monsoon is so powerful that on her official entry even my city, the sweltering Chennai; located some 700 Kms on the other side of the peninsula begins to cool down, subtly, and the sky above her began to react to the changes occurring across the Ghats. It was when I looked into the west, for the signs, and captured these moments on my camera – moments which indicated she had arrived. It was painful to think that I wasn’t blessed with the priceless privilege to welcome the arrival of “Nairutya Maarut”, but atleast; I have the courage and passion of pursuing her in the most remote of locations over the next four months. Then, I’ll be a transformed maniac who’ll love her with uncompromising possessiveness and depict her to the outer world like no other. For now, am visiting my terrace more frequently than ever and learn; she’s arrived…she’s there…she’s on a rampage…but, if she would sustain and succeed in her 2012 edition remains to be seen over the next 4 months that are bound to redefine a billion lives.