The Dussehra Fair

By Vidya

The Dussehra fair would come alive
At Karn Garh in Nathnagar;
Shops would spring up everywhere,
On the ground and rising far.

Toys and guns, toy pistols,
Clay dolls and fairies to behold;
Colourful flowers for decoration,
Strings of lights in hues untold.

On one side, the stalls would serve
Tangy chaats and sweets so fine;
Jhalmuri, fritters, and vadas,
Falooda, almonds, and makhana divine.

Wooden goods and plastic wares,
Low stools, benches, horses, elephants;
Animals, birds, and little dolls—
Childhood’s cherished companions.

A grand stage rose in the open field,
With spectators gathered round;
Ram and Lakshman, bows and arrows in hand,
Would run their rounds on sacred ground.

At one end, upon a lofty stage,
Sita would sit in regal grace;
At the other, Lanka’s grand tableau
Would recreate its legendary place.

Dressed up neatly, we would set out
With Grandpa, full of delight;
A brand-new frock, new slippers,
Ribbons in our braids tied tight.

From everyone, four annas we’d receive,
Our little treasure, small but dear;
Altogether, two rupees or so
Would be our spending money for the fair.

Until the sun began to set,
We watched the Ram Leela play;
Then Tara Aunt would ride the wooden horse,
Adding more joy to our festive day.

Our little purse of pocket money
Would remain untouched, safe and sound;
For food, refreshments, and merry outings,
Grandpa bore the expenses all around.

Sweet, salty, tangy treats to savour—
Whatever each of us would choose;
Everyone received what they desired,
And no one had a reason to lose.

Uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters—
Seven or eight of us would be;
Like little bells upon a string,
We clung to Grandpa merrily.

Returning home, we carried balloons
And little toys that squeaked with sound;
We blew our whistles as we walked,
Like kings parading through the town!

Crowds, traffic, pushing, jostling—
We never noticed any of these;
What brings us stress and tension today
Once filled our hearts with boundless ease.

People dressed in colours bright,
The old, the young, and children too;
The Ram Leela grounds came alive
With vibrant life and a festive hue.

— Vidya