Catch me if you can!

By Amitha Nagendra

The weather seemed just right for an evening out. "Get going", I say to my folks, and there we are huddled up in our jalopy (a joint family ours� is you see!)

Barely two kilometres away, we are taken in for a real surprise. We watch with utter disbelief. Yes, it�s pouring, raining cats and dogs! Brave souls that we are, we drive through the lashing rains, challenging the very forces of Mother Nature�s fury. But not for long. For as we are driving down, �Hey, what�s this!� we exclaim in sheer wonder. The bright sunlight was too much to digest!

Yes, these are Bangalore rains for you! The Rain Gods sure sure love to play hide and seek with the residents here.

�Whew!�, a new-comer does gasp, when affronted with sudden gusty winds and torrential downpour, that too, when he is just driving down a sunny road! With a silent, yet a firm decision, he dons his monsoon-wear, armed to the last toenail. As he zooms past, he discovers shortly that all his preparations are a sheer waste, for there is no sign of any cloud up there, let alone a drizzle.

Quite a common sight, it is thus, spotting people in all their monsoon finery, even when the roads are bone-dry. Smart Alecs, putting the Rain-Gods to shame!

Well, the tussle between the Cosmic Powers and the mere mortals are still to continue. The residents of Bangalore do share a very unique relationship with the rainy weather. For, with every passing monsoon, folks here are well trained to possess a body of steel and of course exemplary reflexes.

No joke it is, to drive (or wade) through clogged roads, open drains with potholes hidden below, giving out a cheeky laughter, each time a vehicle lands into one. The very tact of swerving and timing one�s brakes comes only with sheer practice and patience, and what better locale than our lanes and by-lanes. Every resident can take pride in calling himself a rallyist. Oops, sorry, the entire credit should be accorded to the departments concerned, for they are truly inspired to get into their gears during this period of the year. The sight of a thundercloud is enough to send them scurrying to attend to their chores. Out they come with their tools, and Boy! They sure are prompt! A trench here, a road cut there (for the laying of pipes), the work gradually comes to a grinding halt. "Courtesy rains", they declare!

Well, Bangalore rains are not all that gloomy. Truly a pleasant sight, watching toddlers prancing in the fresh puddles. Colourful umbrellas rise in unison, swaying and forming a unique pattern. Oh yes! Mind you, rains here are real accommodative and understanding. For unknown reasons, Rain Gods somehow are drawn more towards the nights. As such many a time, Bangaloreans are awakened to a fresh crispy morning, the roads washed clean and a tinge of mild fragrance renting the atmosphere. A tiny droplet sits close to the leaf, not wanting to leave its delicate perch. A riot of colours pervade the city, thanks to the blooming of exotic flowers. Could all this be dreamt of without the sweet pitter-patter of raindrops?

Thank you rains, for producing men of steel and damsels too. Do I hear a dismal tone? Sorry men, no damsels in distress awaiting here. She is too busy zipping past you�

Catch her if you can!

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Amitha Nagendra is a freelance writer. She has contributed articles for the middle page of Deccan Herald, Bangalore. Her interests are socialising, music and reading. A graduate in arts from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, she is particularly well-versed regarding various aspects of cosmopolitan cultural developments in Bangalore city.

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