Dear Viji,
Petrichor - as I mentioned one of my favourite words - and the word in itself if enough to bring memories of rain drenched earth - as though the air is rejoicing the mingling of the rain and the parched earth. The start itself is of hope, that just as the earth rejoices in the rain and puts on its greenest hues in celebration, soon the parched dry soul of Sanskaar, burning under Swara's accusation, would soon find succour under the showers of her love.
My Dearest Nynu 🤗 🤗
I am in love with the word Petrichor, as well as the fragrance it embodies---truly, the spirit of the monsoon. 😳 And I was just so thrilled that you grabbed that nuance I was trying to convey regarding SwaSan, with your customary sharp eye. 😳
Trade winds - I am sure you know that this is from mid-17th century English usage - "blow trade" - meaning blow steadily in the same direction and because of the importance of these winds to navigation, 18th-century etymologists were led erroneously to connect the word trade with commerce'.
What I loved in your usage of this for your title is that it is so synonymous with Sanskaar's love for Swara - always steady and forever towards her, come what may. Any normal human would have broken under such mistrust from Swara, but then as he is not a normal human - he is forged of purest steel, heated in the fires of hell, beaten by the blows of destiny, cooled by Swara's absolute and immediate forgiveness and shaped by her love. He will not
give up, on her or on himself.
Again, thanks so much, Nynu. I always feel so very humbled and utterly blessed by your feedback. You leave me with quite a few sentimental tears of joy occasionally---with your depth of reading, your devotion of your time to pick up even the subtlest of nuances, and your generous, warm words of appreciation and motivation.
Very true, I intended this caption in the sense of the original meaning of "trade wind" in the sense of a steady path or track, always blowing in the same direction. Much like Sanskaar's unconditional and selfless love for Swara. Yes, he was utterly pained at her mistrust and her accusations, but he would never give up on their love. Like you put so poetically, his love has been honed in the fires of his suffering and vindictiveness, which she cooled with her generous empathy, forgiveness and love. He redeemed himself for her, and he certainly would not give up on her now.
Summer lightning - distant lightning without audible thunder - that is what is Kissan is - the alter ego of our thundering Sanskaar. As Sanskaar aptly realised, once his face was not clearly visible, Swara would have no problem with him and his presence would enable her to unlock the memories. Brilliant plan especially in its simplicity. Swara trusts easily, so once the face bringing that horrifying memory is not in front of her, she readily trusts Kissan. I was so hoping that at least one small memory - a tiny sliver, at least- would strike her and Swara has a brief glimpse of a different Sanskaar. But then, though all the songs fail to bring the memory, her mind is slowly waking to the fact that there are memories which are important and precious. If her being unable to grasp those memories, which so tantalising tempt her from the shadows of her mind, is disappointing to Swara, Sanskaar must be breaking - as each time he hopes she remembers, her failure to do so, just breaks his heart a little more. As he asks, how much longer can he go on? But even as he asks this question, he knows the answer, forever, if that is what is needed to bring her home.
Yes, Kissan's plans certainly are smart and simple---being conceived and executed by the master strategist Sanskaar, after all. 😊 Kissan goes about creating those circumstances and settings so evocative of SwaSan's time together--and though Swara is not able to latch on and retain any particular memory, you are absolutely right that she begins to sense there are some very crucial and precious memories there for her. And yes, with each time that she fails to fully recall that memory, Sanskaar does feel somewhat shattered, breaking and tearing apart inside just a little bit more. But he is Sanskaar after all---he would never, ever give up. Despite all the pain to himself, he would keep on this course till such time as he manages to bring his beloved wife back home---to himself.
Sanskaar was also bang on as to what would have the greatest impact on Swara - the re-creation of the stage for the most divine declaration of love, his love for her- it almost did. The moment Swara saw the stage decorations, she did not focus on the details, the lack of finesse (it being a prototype) - all her mind was focussed only on one thing - that this vision was the key to unlocking the most important memory that was buried deep in her mind, a memory which she now realises is the essence of her life. It is there, just waiting to be touched by her, a touch that is all needed to flood her mind with the memories. I was like, yes, yes, yes, this is it and...
That proposal/ declaration of love was perhaps one of the most magical moments in the serial (and on Indian TV ever)...along with Sanskaar's first drunken love declaration and their "sindhoor marriage" as well. 😊 Swara certainly did have a pressing, urgent feeling that the stage setting was so reminiscent of a sublimely beautiful memory, something vital to her very being. And though she was interrupted by that deadwood! 😡, when she was Oh-so-very-close to recollecting, I would think some of those hazy images did slip in and remain in her subconscious.
Deadwood enters - can he not burn up😡 - he is so jealous those fires should be enough to do the job. I liked the way you wrote what his idea of love was - never allow that one you love to fly (a deep-rooted fear that they would never come back to him). He does not understand, when someone truly loves you, you are the skies in which they fly. If you break their wings because you could keep them with you, then you only own them, never their love.
I would love to burn up Mr Deadwood during Holika Dahan or for Bhogi. 😆😉 And oh yes, I think Mr Wood has an extrenely twisted idea of his true louuu. 😡🤢 He does seem the type who would feel that he needs to twist the wings off the person he loves, cripple their free ranging spirit into one of overweening dependence on him alone. 🤢 Scary character, come to think of it.
Red Earth and pouring rain - such a beautiful analogy and so much in tune with your elemental personification of Sanskaar and Swara (Though I personally prefer the fire element for him, I agree that Sanskaar is quite earthy). And so synonymous with SwaSan here - Sanskaar waiting, parched and desperate, for Swara - much as the summer drained earth waits for the cool refreshing rain. And just as the rain bring with it twigs and pieces of deadwood, Swara comes home with Sahil. But she does appear so amicable with him, her days spent with Sanskaar in Kissan's avatar, might not have dislodged any elusive memories but they did give rise to a teeny weeny doubt that maybe her clearest memory was wrong. And a slight feeling that maybe Sahil should not be trusted. Indeed, when she looks up at him and smiles, it is a small smile but carries hope, so much hope that Sanskaar can smile in peace and joy.
I am so, so overjoyed again that this little analogy both caught your eye, and appealed to you. Yes, that poem and the term "Red Earth and Pouring Rain" reminded me so much of Sanskaar and Swara. I agree with you that there certainly are a lot of "Fire" traits in Sanskaar; but I do see a lot of Earthiness in him, too. And your words: "Sanskaar waiting, parched and desperate, for Swara - much as the summer drained earth waits for the cool refreshing rain"-- so perfect. 👏 👏
True, Swara has let her defenses completely down around Kissan, and has subconsciously been guided to doubting that her own cynicism and harsh suspicion towards Sanskaar just may be misplaced...And there is certainly a lot of hope, a breath of new beginnings and new opportunities, when she gives that tentative, tremulous half smile to Sanskaar in the end...
BTW - you mentioned that a look of pure venomous bitterness and spite crossed Sahil's features - really, that guy could emote, even for a fleeting second?????. I so wish he got a glimpse of Sanskaar's reaction, him losing sleep over that look would be so soothing to me. (one of those good dreamy sleep moments for me)
😆 😆 🤣 🤣 Your sarcastic broadside at Mr Deadwood really made my day. 😆 He he---well please imagine that Mr Wood was temporarily unfrozen from his usual cyborg self. 😉 I actually should have made him catch a glimpse of Sanskaar's menacing, wolfish expression, na? 😆 Would have made him endure sleepless nights for sure---and who knows, he may even have fled to seek sanctuary with the Ents. 😆 🤣
A very lovely story - of hope and love. Maybe we could have another OS, continuing from where we left off and maybe, Sahil gets a real dose of what Sanskaar Maheshwari can do when someone dares to cross swords with him, when someone tries to harm those whom he loved.
Hope truly is a lovely emotion na? 😳 I love that quote which I inserted in my SanLak OS "Brothers in Arms"-- "They say a person needs only three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for". 😊 I don't know if I would be continuing this further for the moment---the SanLak OS was a kind of continuation to this Petrichor themed OS...and now I have the latter parts of "Postern of Fate" to complete. 😊
lots of love,
Nyna
On a side note - I so loved that poem that I googled it and came across an article which mentioned that this poem was printed on a poster for the London Underground. I am giving the link for the article.
I LOVED the poster, Nynu. So, so very much. It was such beautiful.
I tried to google for the poster but the link for the Poet Society did not yield any results😭. But I did come across this poster (https://karkanirka.org/2010/06/10/kurunthokai-40/) hope you like it.
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
