It’s like any other ordinary days for me. The
New Year’s Day was spent working in the office and returning home and doing all
household chores. I didn’t plan anything special for the day. No celebration,
picnicking and dinner to honour the day - except the rejuvenated festive mood
deep inside me.
In the evening, at home, I read a new book, a
memoir/travelogue, called The Geography
of Bliss. It’s the New Year gift from one of dear friends. Oh, what a good
feeling to begin this New Year reading this gorgeous book! You never know how
much I love the book. Charming and illuminating, this book also talks about
Bhutan and the practice of happiness here.
It’s around 9 pm when there’s a gentle knock on
the door. I pushed aside this book and ran out to open the door. A group of young
boys were standing right in front of the door, all dressed in gho, mufflers and
hand gloves to keep away the cold.
One of them was carrying a sack, rice in it.
Another boy was holding a big plastic bag, gift boxes inside it.
“Acho, we are here to play lolay. Can we?” the tallest boy amongst the group asked permission
from me.
I didn’t know what to say. I went blank for a
while, literally.
The truth is that I didn’t know the necessary lolay ritual though I heard about it. Even
the school textbooks didn’t teach me about it. I went close to them and asked,
“What do I have to do when you play lolay
here?”
They explained me, “Acho, after singing lolay, you can give us anything you have
like money, rice and maize grains, foods, gifts.”
“Ok then, boys, go ahead,” I permitted them to sing
lolay as I went inside to prepare
gifts and money for my lolay guests.
They started singing, so rhythmically, so
beautifully. As I handed over gifts and
money to them, they blessed me and my family all lucks, happiness and
prosperity.
And they wrapped up their song, turned and
strode away. All wonderful smile and gratefulness on their faces. And they
wished me, “Acho, Happy New Year!”
I burst into tears. Because I felt so grateful.
So happy. So blessed. These young boys may not know this – how much their
prayers and wishes meant to me. As every new day of 2013 unfolds, I want to
think and relish that I’m blessed.
(On the eve of Nyilo, the winter solstice, the kids go around reciting a verse to commemorate the beginning of an auspicious new year. Believed to have originated in Wang (present-day Thimphu), Lolay is a festive celebration that ushers in a good and prosperous new year. Lolay (written loleg) literally means ‘good year’. Source: http://www.bhutanobserver.bt).
Happy New Year to you sir.
ReplyDeleteMay all wishes and prayers of your own as well as those expressed by others come true.
I too wish you good health, peace and happiness throughout the year with many grand successes.