Today is uruka which inevitably stands for grand feasting and has nothing to do with fasting. My dear maa has been frequently calling me over the phone for the past two days. She misses my absence dearly, that I am sure of. It is all too evident as she gives me an account of the special bihu delicacies that are so abundant and come for cheap prices especially in the village markets. She sighs as her children aren't around to feast on these edibles under her loving gaze. She misses seeing our mouths full of these as we chew them away to our heart's content while she prods us to have some more remarking how unhealthy her children looks from years of staying away from home. This is the problem with motherhood- you tend to your little one's as one would do to a young sapling; but one moment they are suckling at your breasts and the other moment they stop drinking your milk and take to alcohol in faraway places. So, today is uruka which calls for grand feasting- dipping your fingers into dishes of pork, chicken and fish; vegetarian dishes are a total nuisance today. And of course, booze and popular bihu songs ar a major part of this merry-making ceremony. I am an Assamese who is away from home and today is uruka but I am unfortunately fasting rather than feasting. Don't get me wrong, I am not starving myself tonight. In fact, I have had my share of nuisance at the hostel mess. Its just that I am not a participant in the accepted and popular trend of celebrating the night which ushers in the Assamese new year which is bihu. So, tomorrow is rongali or bohag bihu. I do not know how I am going to welcome yet another new year, a new beginning but today which marks the end of an old year has been rather gloomy for reasons which are best left alone. I just ardently hope that the atmosphere of negativity that prevail comes to an end this very night. For, I truely wish to embrace this new year with mirth. Happy Bihu!
