For several years in the past couple of decades we had this tradition of welcoming New Year's at Pune with a bonfire. All the regulars would drop in - Milind, Neelima, Parth, Maria, and whoever was around - Satish, Raja, Anu, Prarthana, Pooja, Medha, Shubha, Chhaya, Malay, Jui, Saiee, Meera, Chitra - and there would be me and Shobhs and Shobhs mom, Shashi maushi bringing in the seniors. We would get some booze, some food and set up the bonfire in the backyard and sing songs around it. People would come and have a drink, eat something and go. It was a warm, nice way to ring in the New Year meeting all our loved ones. Shobha's mom used to enjoy the whole experience and would sit around the bonfire enjoying herself until she felt sleepy. Let me rustle up a few old pics here.
Then we started going out to Shrivardhan and other places as a group and we missed a few New Years. But this year we thought we should do a bonfire, especially as it is the year Shobhs mom passed away, just to have her around the fire one more time. Parth and Maria were game, Milind was in the US so he was out, so it was just Parth, Maria, Shobhs and me. Prarthana called at the last minute and said she would join us and that was a great thing because she added a new burst of youthful energy to the proceedings.
So we told Bahadur to get some wood together for a bonfire and he dutifully did so. Rum and vodka and wine were brought out. Prarthana ordered some delicious kebabs to go with the potato chips. Maria cooked some lovely chicken curry and we were set. Off we went with a celebratory wine, and after a couple of drinks proceeded to the backyard to set up the bonfire. It caught on like no fire ever had before, sharp and burnt everything out like a good fire, leaving nothing. Reminded me of Shobhs mom who lived her life like that, burning everything out leaving nothing unburnt. I remember reading in a Zen book the principle of burning like old wood - life should be lived like that it said.
Prarthana sings beautifully and uninhibitedly so she was off like a shot and Parth joined along and I hummed along in my high spirits and we called Milind and he immediately sent us three of his favorite recordings - Yeh raaten yeh mausam - his signature song being one of them. Pratty sang a whole bunch of new and old hits and we had a ball till eleven in the night after which we shifted inside to grab a bite. Nicely buzzed we continued singing songs and pouring another drink until it was finally time to ring in 2021.
One of the best New Years party ever! Burn away the past. Welcome the new. Take more risks. Live more fully. Choose to be happy.
Happy 2021.
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