This year, the annual calendar of festivals gets a new addition. It is the season of festivals and celebrations begin from Eid-ul-Fitr. Significantly, this year’s Eid coincides with Sravana maasam considered the auspicious month for Hindus with its list of festivals starting from doing pooja during Mangala Gauri vratams on Tuesdays, Naagula Chavithi (July 31), Varalakshmi Vratam (August 8), Rakhi (August 10) and Krishnaashtami (August 17). With the chain of festivals spread across the month, in addition to the Independence Day on August 15 and the city already awash with Bonalu festivities, the city is set to be gripped by festival fever.
At Urdu teacher Bashrat Hussain’s house, Sheer korma rings a sweet note every Eid.
Among the assorted Ramzan specialities made of chicken, accompanied by Sheermal roti and namkeen , the mouth-watering Sheer korma is hard-to-resist. Bashrat insists the Sewaiyan delicacy gets a rich taste only when the sewaiyan is of good quality. “The sewaiyan has to be of Rs. 200 kg and prepared with malai , dry fruits and right proportion of sugar,” he says.
For Fatima Bilgrami of National Institute of Fashion Technology, fasting during the month of Ramzan gives a different high. “Unlike normal days when one constantly feels hungry and thirsty, during this period, one hardly feels any craving for food,” she says and adds, “One is spiritually connected to Allah and you become calm and are at peace with yourself.”
Her official trips to Bengaluru and Mumbai have kept her busy but she has been shopping in her free time. The lavish spread at her house including Sewayian, dahi wadas, kababs and biryani is open to all guests including her non-Muslim friends.
The teacher in her is concerned about the missing sessions, thanks to the holidays in the forthcoming days.
Referring to August as the month of festivals, she says, “Youngsters travel even if there is a one day holiday. They generally don’t come back on the next day and even if they do, they are still in the holiday mood.”
She is looking forward to Raakhi too, when she ties Raakhi to some of her friends in the evening.
Actors Ali and Shafi share their earlier Ramzan memories. While shooting for a Kannada movie titled Namo Bhootatma, Ali says, “I am mostly away from my family due to shoots, I eagerly await Eid as I get to spend time with them on the festival day.”
The significant aspect of Ramzan is the ‘Eid ki namaaz,’ says actor Shafi. He remembers how as a little boy he would apply mehendi designs on the hands of his sisters and brothers. “I was an expert in putting designs,” he recalls. On a different note, he says, “Festivals are welcome as they create positive atmosphere where all the family members can spend time together. One feels relaxed and rejuvenated and the soul feels blessed during such contented moments.”
Hovering between Mumbai and Hyderabad, Asad Abid of Shoelace Films has had his share of haleem from both the cities. “Hyderabadi haleem is rich compared to the white and bland Mumbaiyya haleem,” he smiles.
The pockets of festivals all through the month keep one in a happy mood, he states.
On that cheerful note, ‘Eid Mubarak’!!
