MUSHTAQ AHMAD HURRA
Euphonious cicadas annunciate the arrival of autumn with saccharine melody resonating in the environs, probably apprising the farmers that their laborious toil has grown mellow, and is ready to be harvested. Paddy fields bearing the golden looks with stalks hanging downwards, make us believe as if a conjurer-turned-goldsmith has miraculously transformed these fields from green to golden. Mild fragrance of ripe basil seeds turn the surroundings aromatic and scenty to the extent that it causes beautiful hangover to the best creation of Allah. Sight of apple trees laden with red fruit adds volume to our passion with extra calories of energy and enthusiasm. Rupturing of green walnut husk trumpets the arrival of autumn. Thus, auntum ( Harud ) is indeed all bewitching and mesmerising.
I have some pristine reminiscences of olden autumn days when the season ( Autumn ) used to be festive and gleeful in our villages and towns. Villagers of my land would hone their sickles using a whetstone or would take them to blacksmith’s shop to get them sharpened. Here I deem it necessary to mention that blacksmiths were not paid in cash but would take a part of paddy as their remuneration. It was called mangai in Kashmiri jargon . Tumbrels and carts were repaired earlier in the month of August, horses and ponies were fed well so that they could draw loaded carts easily. Granaries were cleaned immaculately, preferably by women to store the new produce. Threshing-floors ( Locally known as Khall ), adjacent to houses were sweeped using stiffened local brooms. These threshing-floors were mostly bereft of any green cover but sometimes, Dattura and Nettle would grow in these threshing fields. Men used to eradicate these weeds using indigenously made spades and hoes.
Both men and women would throng the paddy fields to carry out the complex process of harvesting of the crop. After cutting and bundle formation, the sun-dried ricks of paddy were woven in a cone shaped bale. The bale protects the crop viz seeds and grass from inclement weather and herbivorous animals. These three steps are followed hitherto though our farming has gone a lot industrial way. Fourth and important step is the threshing of the crop. Unlike yesteryears, now the threshing is done in the fields, on large and durable tarpaulins. Then, the paddy seeds are packaged in jute sacks and ferried to the granaries in big tractor trollies.
But, prior to some decades, the threshing would take place in chosen threshing-floors, situated quite adjacent to the homes of farmers. Paddy was ferried to these floors in tumbrels, drawn by horses. But a big chunk of populace would prefer the paddy to be carried by men and women, on their backs. Both men and women would tie thick grass ropes around paddy sheaves to transport them to their threshing-floors. Then, big cone shaped bales were woven in a crescent pattern, leaving the middle portion of the floor open for threshing. It was a Herculean task. It would take weeks together for families to carry the paddy from farm lands to the threshing-floors.
Although the process was quite hectic but it had other side as well which was more beautiful. While carrying paddy from fields to threshing-floors, a thick layer of paddy seeds would pile up on the footpaths, roads and alleys leading to villages. Mute creation of the universe had easy access to these food grains. Thus, our fathers and forefathers were unconsciously and consciously compassionate and generous. But, now, avian population has drastically reduced to food scarcity, owing to industrial revolution and human callousness.
Threshing of paddy was the climax of the harvesting process. Farmers used to be very excited, jovial and placid because their year long diligent efforts were ready to be stored in the granaries. Threshing of the crop was done in November and December, even some paddy bales were threshed in March. The threshing day was not lesser than a festivity, particularly for children.
Itinerant minstrel, locally called Laddy Shah, would enthral the threshers and children. These minstrels were often turbaned and would carry an instrument called “ Dehra “ with them. Dehra was an iron rod containing iron rings. These minstrels would sing eulogies, ballads and satirical songs in melodious voices, by striking the iron rings of Dehra, with their palms, very skilfully and artistically to produce a mellifluous jingle. At last, a thresher, preferably the owner would fill his jute sack with paddy seeds. Many Baands and other destitute also used to visit these threshing-floors for alms. I must not forget here to mention peregrine snack sellers who would carry potato snacks ( Aalu Munj ) in their hampers, and would visit almost every threshing floor. Threshers were anxiously waiting for the snack seller.
Children would love to play hide and seek in these threshing-floors, containing dense paddy bales. Threshing day was almost Eid day for children because they knew that they could get paddy as a token of love in the evening. People were so pious and virtuous then that there was no discrimination of friend and foe. Elders were equally as innocent as children. Children of whole mohalla would spend their full days in these threshing fields. In the evening, they would extend their long fronts of pherans to get the paddy. Carrying paddy seeds in their long dropping pheran fronts, they would buy candies, snacks, whistles or rattles.
Paddy was probably the only asset and possession a farmer’s family had then. Size of granary would probably determine the level of prosperity a household had. Bigger the size of granary, richer the family was. It was the bread and butter of agricultural families. A sizeable quantity of paddy was sold to buy different goods of daily consumption, including spices, edible oils, shoes, woollen garments etc… An adequate mount was preserved in cash for rainy days of life. With the first snowfall of winter, the farmers would begin to weave grass ropes for indigenous mat called Pattej.
The writer is a Teacher and a Columnist. He can be reached at mushtaqhurra143@gmail.com
