Bihar, India, Letters to self, Non-Fiction, Oral Stories from Rural India, Santhal Tribe, Short Stories, Tales from Rural India, West Bengal
Published on 31/08/2025
Comments 75

Travelling through Rural West Bengal in Blazing Indian Monsoons- I

written by

Monsoons are going on, Or are they going?

They say that this year it’ll not only rain but the skies are going to weep. Clouds arrived four weeks early. And they have mostly stayed. Even the universe knows, that the monsoon times most children are angry or show their displeasure. They are told to not go out as it will rain, yet many go and whirl even at the expense of catching cold. Because only they know that cold does not exist, what does breathe in them is the joy of dancing with nature’s music.


Few years ago, I travelled through Rural Bengal during the majestic Indian Monsoons. Being there it felt like my soul grew while only seeing the earth showing her abundance, her happiness. So many emotions churned within me then that I had to write a letter to a friend who sat far. Not to tell her as such, but to learn myself what was actually happening, to me.

Many years later as I read this letter, I am taken back again to that day, to those weeks of pure grace, of absolute beauty and abundance anywhere and everywhere I saw.

Clouds have arrived, I knew it ended right there with this photograph. I realised home is calling.
Silda Football Ground
Rain was never far behind. This happened to be that moment of my journey. Somehow this tree felt home away from home.

Dear M

Travels have not been too comfortable but it’s liberating to learn that i could come to West bengal at this time. Clouds don’t seem to be moving ahead but we are moving, and moving in circles. Fields are just too green everywhere, and roads connecting villages too red. Pond’s are over filled, and women, girls in them makes me feel at times, its worthless to get educated and get conscious of your knowledge. The only thing one has to learn is the language of the world that has no place for words in it. And yes the cows, goats, buffalos, swans, geese, ducks, hen and chickens are in plenty lazing around, sleeping, staring, fearing, grazing, walking, running on the road and off it. This part of the countryside has filled me with pride of some unknown sense or probably i am feeling just too free on this stretched journey after Bihar. Everything has been like an ongoing painting for me.

For the first time looking out at the landscape made me think of poems that i have not written. No painting or a photograph will fill the feeling of how i felt at that particular moment when i saw many a long haired santhali woman together bathing in the country side pond behind the palm trees. As I rode my bicycle i kept trying to look back at her, but i couldn’t as that one tree kept coming between us. As it stood with its mammoth bark, the world moved inside me. I cycled. Soon came another pond where i saw another two women, walking in tandem carrying filled earthen pots on their heads to home. Daily routine. Yet I realised in that moment, them taking water from the source to their home is so important for the whole universe to keep moving, form changing with each forward step like life moving, slowly becoming many things from one big entity. So important for those earthen pots to be used. For the water to go in various houses, different blood streams, yet becoming one. Everything is present and its not, everything is true yet it is not. That moment I just wanted to stand and see nature, to drink everything that wanted to work through me.

IMG_2218

Dear M, I should talk about it and not just write and i wont even write about all the people i met all this while like mama and her two little daughters in Bankura, it will take too long and this Airtel connection has not been too reliable off-late.

But you know M, every single body has been so gentle that it is melting me to even think of leaving my own land and settle here. Bangla has not been in anyway a hindrance not that i know it all, i don’t know it at all apart from a few sentences but my guide for past 26 days has become one of my best ever co-traveller. I feel i owe him a lot and nothing too. What i owe him is just the love i can give back to him.

But past two weeks we have been wandering in Naxalite area and I have felt a little change in how i am perceived. I even got in an argument one after other thrice, all because of this camera i carry. The third happened in the morning today when I wanted to photograph a snake crossing the street, and it irked one man out of many. Only because I might have looked different but acted like a local. But all ended in peace as Kaushal and others came forward in my defence considering my harmlessness after a point.

Well, now when you have told me about your job down there very far, I wonder when and how i can come and spend time with you. And well, i didn’t laugh at your dream.

Love from a little hut with many children running clothe-less, its raining.

Nara

: ँ :

Thank you

If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road To Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste

: ँ :

ROAD TO NARA is an Ethnographic Blog of History, Stories of Culture, Art, People, Rivers, Folk, Mysticism, Meditation, Mountains, Trees and Tantra Yoga- Science of Ancient India and the Indigenous World that brings World’s Most Important Stories to your mailbox.

Do subscribe to Nature: ROAD TO NARA

Subscribe to Nature

Type your email…

SUBSCRIBE

: ँ :

I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly

As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.

: ँ :


You might also like to know about My Little School Project.

If you wish to come over for a visit someday, that you must, you will be heartily welcome here

: ँ :

If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at lotusofnara@gmail.com

To follow my walks through the rural Indian Subcontinent, find me at :
Instagram | X | Facebook

: ँ :

This entry was posted in: Bihar, India, Letters to self, Non-Fiction, Oral Stories from Rural India, Santhal Tribe, Short Stories, Tales from Rural India, West Bengal
Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

by

Unknown's avatar

Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

75 Comments

  4. jonicaggiano's avatar
    jonicaggiano says

    What a touching and beautifully expressive piece. I love the tree it is truly amazing. Life giving and sustainability for our earth. I loved the description of the women bathing in the ponds and the women filling their earth molded pots with water. May your prayers be answered regarding these difficult times. Love 💕 to you my friend from the US in North Carolina. May the remainder of your journey be blessed.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      So lovely to have you here. Welcome. Thank you so much for your blessings. But i feel nothing will happen only by my prayers. Every human has to come together to pray and wish that this vibe, this virus washes away.
      Love from the Himalayas !

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • jonicaggiano's avatar
        jonicaggiano says

        You are so welcome. I am glad you feel safe and I do believe you are right that God is in control and praying is so important. I pray for everyone’s safety. I am sending love from North Carolina. I bet it is beautiful where you are. 🌺🌸🤗 love Joni

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
      • darellphilip's avatar
        darellphilip says

        Narayan, it did no take me very long to see that the content and quality of the work here is one which deserved further recognition and so this was the least I could do! I look forward to reading your response to the questions upon acceptance of the award! 😀🙏💛👊🎉💟💯

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
      • rothpoetry's avatar
        rothpoetry says

        You are welcome. I have found that Black and White is a good way to preserve old faded color photos. With the iPhone, I can take a digital photo and change it to b&w and with some enhancements make it about as good or better than the original.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
            • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
              Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

              hey Dwight. Took some time to write to you here.
              Well, you know every person might be a photographer of self but having so many images all across platforms have also developed in people a sense of composing, light observations as well understanding the good from average 🙂 I think a good photographer need not worry. He is bound to stand out and become better.

              Liked by 1 person

            • rothpoetry's avatar
              rothpoetry says

              Yes, I agree. Photography is an art that is special and whether in composition of the shoot or the creative adjustments in the photo editor, you can tell the difference between average and very good photographers. Thank you for your thoughts

              Liked by 1 person

    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      So long Harini, yes special time this is. I really wish someday I ride around central and southern India during Monsoons.

      I hope you are well and farm is keeping you happy and engaged. 🌸

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. Pingback: Travelling through Rural West Bengal in Blazing Indian Monsoons- I | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Caro, i was hoping you will look at the images and might comment on their composition. Not that I post Black and whites much anymore.

      But thank you, Rain season are special in this part of the world. Keeps you on the edge, as much fresh as it can be gloomy.

      Like

      Reply
  20. Martha Kennedy's avatar
    Martha Kennedy says

    ” Pond’s are over filled, and women, girls in them makes me feel at times, its worthless to get educated and get conscious of your knowledge. The only thing one has to learn is the language of the world that has no place for words in it.” I feel this with all my soul, Nara.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. gc1963's avatar
    gc1963 says

    A memorable letter.

    The pics in black and white remind me of old movies before Eastman Colour days. There is something about black and white. They create a long lasting impression of vintage images antiquated in time and unerasable from visuals deeply embedded in memory.

    Your love for the land shows with its green and red chequered demographics – we call it राड़ भूमि or राड़ बांग्ला. The colour of red earth, the innocence of tribal life, the petrichor of tropical rains , the madness of the impassioned race – I can imagine how you must have felt – an alien in a country of your own or a native in an alien land.

    It’s difficult to fathom the Bengali sentiments. They go by emotions and not by logic. They go by sentiments and not by rationale. But it’s a verdant and vibrant land which will satiate your wanderlust I am sure.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      It was the loveliest comment dear GC, for one i started thinking of the times.

      No one actually said or told this word to me राड़ भूमि rather they would say, Laal Maat.

      And you are right, bengal is a sentiment. And Bengalis, walking poems; we all are but they make you feel more than others 🙂 be it about food or travelling; in all the beautiful ways.

      I have had the privilege of spending a lot of time with them. To an extent i do not remember not having a good friend or a neighbour ever who is not a bengali. Even now.

      So thank you and ever since I was back I have yearned to go there again.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. aparnachillycupcakes's avatar
    aparnachillycupcakes says

    Seems like the journey is not only covering kilometres but helping you grow from within! It feels like monsoon season in Bengal has a transforming power. The letters have a far reaching effect!
    😇✨🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      It was a deep time and one that did water all parts of my soul. Bengal has been transformational for this country’s history as much as ours. It’s a beautiful land and the most profound thing to realise is every region, each state of our country is. Wherever we may go, monsoons do come to touch our souls. Thank you Aparna for writing sharing your views and apologies for taking time to write.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • aparnachillycupcakes's avatar
        aparnachillycupcakes says

        Please don’t apologize! This is the least we can do. As fellow bloggers, we respect each other’s space and time. I commented because I genuinely wanted to, and it seems the feeling is mutual. I understand that if I want to read more folklores, I need to be patient and give Narayan-da the time he needs to explore.😇🤝

        Like

        Reply
  29. Yetismith's avatar
    Yetismith says

    You are like a sponge, soaking up all the information, all the sights and sounds and you are a deep thinker. I so much enjoy reading your observations.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Caro such a beautiful comment, you know i have been called a sponge a few times by friends and this will make my days every time I will read it. Hope you are healthy and apologies for taking time to write back on this beautiful important comment.

      Like

      Reply
  30. usfman's avatar
    usfman says

    This change of scenery during the rainy season seemed to have done you some good. That’s a big reason why I travel more I suppose

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  32. zumayonow's avatar
    zumayonow says

    I like the description “…the joy of dancing with nature’s music.” we should all share that joy and let the rain revive us.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to jonicaggiano Cancel reply