We were inducted into the Indian fairs or carnivals much before Bollywood gave us “Hum dono bachpan mein Kumbh ke Mela mein bichhar gaye they…”

‘Pop!’ As a child, the sound of the colorful balloons popping with the pellet gun always caught my fancy at the neighborhood winter Mela or the winter carnival. The delicate circles of blues, yellows, greens, reds and orange balloons made a very appealing sight for young children. The “gubbara phodhne wala game” or the balloon-dart pop game never got me any prizes but it created a powerful desire within me to try and win at least once.

My earliest memory of an Indian Mela or Fair is walking down the road or an alley, and then suddenly seeing the small glimpse of the Giant Ferris Wheel (Aasman Jhhula in Hindi or Nagordola in Bengali) doing its job and you can hear the happiness in the air! The allure was to be on top of the fairground giving you an aerial view of the neighborhood – and you exhale in joy! And, when the Swinging Pirate boat or the Naav Jhula swung back and forth gaining momentum at each point, you could literally feel your stomach getting lighter.

We were inducted into the Indian fairs or carnivals much before Bollywood gave us “Hum dono bachpan mein Kumbh ke Mela mein bichhar gaye they…” (we, two brothers, were separated at Kumbh Mela in our childhood) dialogue.

In Bengal, most melas were seasonal and cultural and also educational – for example, Poush Mela (Winter Fair) in Santiniketan, Baro Bhooter Mela (Autumn Fair) in Kolkata, Boi Mela (Book Fair) among the others like Gangasagar Mela, and Rash Mela etc. And, in all the fairs, the essence remains the same – community fun.

People would throng these places in numbers, children would be nagging their parents to get some candyfloss or Buddhiya ke baal, get some mouth-watering chaats at the chaat corners; and what’s a mela without Big Super Jalebis? The color of those jalebis would make even the brightest orange look pale! Kala-Khatta flavored Chuski or Barf ka Gola had its own fan following. A tangy, sweet, and spicy purple-black syrup made from jamun (Indian black plum), tamarind, black salt, and cumin – the taste will linger long after the fair is over!

Looking away from the balloon pop dart game, the colorful glass-bangles stall would be calling me to try on some. My small wrists could only take a few and not the dozen I wanted. I looked at young girls around me and they were excited to wear two dozens of them and show-off their wrists to others. While I tried on the bangles, a soothing music would waft through the air, and I would look around to find a flute or ‘bansoori’ player in the crowd, with a wicker-basket full of bamboo flutes to sell. People around him would just happily enjoy the then Bollywood or regional hit songs being played by him. He would pick each tune carefully and would play so effortlessly that you would not think twice before buying one flute for yourself, and go home only to find out that it’s the skill you need to know!

I remember my mother would look for small trinkets, ceramic and clay pots and pans, coffee mugs and tea-cups, among other things and then bargain hard. It is a sight to witness the negotiation between the seller and the buyer – a sudden crescendo and then falling to the right note!

One of our favorite spots was to visit the stall which had various types of pickles and Hazmi Goli or digestive candies. Endless variety would greet us at those stalls – Anardana Goli (Pomegranate) with distinct sweet, sour and fruity flavor, Imli Goli (tamarind) made from tamarind and extremely sour to taste, Jeera Goli (cumin) which was spicier and savory in taste, Aam Goli (mango) made with green mango and spices, Ajwain and Saunf Goli (carrom seeds and Fennel seeds) which is aromatic and cooling.

Depending on the region, time and season, Melas would have thrilling stunts that would attract thousands, like “Maut Ka Kua” or Well of Death – a motorbike-borne person going in circles in a gravity-defying stunt within a wooden planked structure, especially made for the stunt. It was terrifying to watch it. Magic shows and puppet show or Kathputli calmed my nerves after that. Phew! The theatrical show with puppets depicting the one or several everyday situations – a duet of songs/banter/romance between the puppet duo, one male and another female – was silly but hilarious!

Living miles away from home, you get to reminiscence about childhood joys like this. Countless memories of different experiences from yesteryear make your adult life with responsibilities a tad bit enjoyable.