Rain-Soaked Tales of Odisha

Rain-Soaked Tales of Odisha

The summer of 2024 has been one for the record books in Odisha. Relentless heat and suffocating humidity gripped the state, turning daily life into a test of endurance. The air seemed to simmer with the intensity of the sun, and every breath felt like drawing in fire. Streets lay deserted during the peak hours of the day, with people seeking refuge indoors, praying for any sign of relief. And then, as if answering the collective prayers of millions, the sky began to change. The shadows of the dark clouds cast a welcome gloom over the sun-baked land. The heat has slowly loosened its grip, replaced by a cool, refreshing breeze that is carrying with it the unmistakable scent of impending rain. Although the rains are scattered and hesitant, we know that the monsoon is just round the corner. For the people of Odisha, the arrival of the monsoon is not just a weather change—it is a blessing, a reprieve from the sweltering heat that has dominated our lives for months.
As these scattered rains wash away the dust and heat, memories begin to surface, bringing with us a sense of nostalgia and joy. In homes across the state, families gather by windows and verandas, watching the rain and sharing their favourite monsoon memories. For some, it was the scent of wet earth that brought back childhood days of playing in the mud. For others, it was the taste of fresh mangoes, savoured while listening to the rhythmic patter of rain on the roof.
Each story describes Odisha's monsoon culture, weaving together the past and present in a celebration of life’s simple pleasures.

Join us as we dive into these heartfelt recollections, capturing the essence of Odisha’s monsoon through the eyes of its people. From joyous festivals to quiet moments of reflection, these stories remind us that even the most relentless summers are followed by the promise of rain and renewal.

Flames
“I have often found myself googling ‘monsoon in odisha’ not knowing what I’m looking for. Maybe a photo of lush greenery under overcast silver skies or maybe some news of approaching rainfall as my city succumbs to power cuts and heat strokes. One of my favourite memories probably dates back to the early 2000s. My father had taken me on a motorcycle ride to Barabati Stadium, or more precisely, the Munu Padia. It was July, somewhere around 12pm. We bumped into one of my uncles at his ‘khatti’. Some people were meandering the field for a late dahibara or ‘itili’ breakfast while others were crowding around tea stalls for the cha to brew. Listening and not listening to conversations and laughter from aIl around me, I caught a flash of the flames emanating from the stove while dark clouds gathered above and ahead. My uncle said “Barsa Asuchi” / that it was going to rain very soon. Something about standing there and looking at the flames, with the faint smell of gas and wet earth created a core memory in my senses. Of a moment concentrated. The expanse was soon filled with an excited murmur about the approaching rains. Something was coming. Maybe the good days. Now every time I spot clouds or a raindrop, I see that concentration. And like Pavlov’s dog, my mind looks for Munu Padia. And I miss my friends deeply.”
-Simona Mishra, Editor at an US based Ed-tech Firm, Cuttack

Alive

“For the longest time, I used to believe that I had seasonal depression perpetuated by the rainy season. As a child, I would always be upset at the first sight of rain. Monsoon meant straight-up gloomy weather, making me feel like dementors had arrived to suck the soul out of me. I never understood the hype of the monsoon until one day. I remember being 22, sitting on my couch and going through my Google Photos. It was monsoon, and I was scrolling through the memory slideshow. Suddenly, I realised something. My gallery had the most beautiful pictures of monsoon every year, and it would be a lie if I said I did not enjoy the way everything turned lush green, with a cool breeze brushing by my face. The way a little Asian bee-eater would camouflage itself to catch its prey, and how the tiny white flowers borne out of some random creeper would express their short-lived beauty. How the earthen pot covered itself with patches of fungi and how what was once a barren playing field showcased its different shades of green in all its glory. Sometimes the clouds touched the distant hills, making me wonder what lay beyond them. Even though I knew what lay ahead, I would make myself believe that maybe it was a place where the river was brimming and elephants were bathing after months of scorching heat. While I always thought of the monsoon as this gloomy, depressing season, I realised it was just the opposite. Monsoon is fair and just as it gives life to all beings, be they plants, animals, fungi, algae, or lichens. It is the time when everything comes alive.”

-Abhilasha Panda, Socio-Ecology Researcher at an NGO, Cuttack

Home
“I remember those monsoon days vividly when the heavy rain would start early in the morning. The skies would be a deep, moody grey, and the smell of wet earth would fill the air, oh! how much I wish there was a scent of that exact smell. On such days, when the rain was relentless, our school would declare it a rainy day holiday. The announcement was always met with a mix of surprise and excitement. My cousins and I would gather in the living room, a cosy space with large windows that allowed us to watch the rain pour down outside. We would settle down in front of the TV, eagerly tuning into our favourite cartoons. Our laughter would often echo through the room as we enjoyed the antics of our beloved cartoon characters. The highlight of these days was undoubtedly the snacks. We would munch on them throughout. Sometimes, when the rain would lighten up, we would venture out to the veranda or the terrace with umbrellas.

Those monsoon days were magical, filled with simple joys and the comfort of family. They remain some of my fondest memories, a reminder of the beauty and warmth of home.”

-Harshada Das, PR Executive for Dr. Itirani Samanta, Cuttack

Muskan 

Being an introvert, I hardly talk to anyone about my problems or my pain. But one incident changed my whole life. It was July, during the monsoon. I was in a bad mood, roaming around the city, when it suddenly started raining heavily. I found myself on a road with only a single betel shop for shelter. Hurriedly, I went to the shop to escape the rain. Like regular smokers, I asked the shopkeeper for a cigarette. As I took a puff, a beautiful woman came to the shop to take shelter. She wore a beautiful saree and looked like a newlywed. I can still remember her sparkling eyes. She caught me looking at her, and I quickly looked away. The rain was pouring and we started getting wet from the bottom as the water bounced back from the road. After a while, maybe to kill the awkward silence, she greeted me with a smile. I smiled back. After making small talk about the rain, she asked me if I was in a bad mood. I faked a smile and said everything was fine in my life. Unsatisfied with my answer, she kept probing. Eventually, I told her that I had completed engineering four years ago but didn't have a job. My parents used to scold me regularly but had now stopped, possibly having lost hope in me. She said it was okay to feel frustrated because life can be hard sometimes. She advised that as time changes, situations will too, and encouraged me to be patient and stay focused on my goal. I must admit, I have a short temper. Having heard this empty advice many times before, I rudely replied "Please don’t start with this. Life’s easy for pretty women like you. You get married to men with stable jobs and enjoy life. How can you even understand my pain? You can’t.” She smiled again and said, "Sorry I made you angry. Please calm down. What do you think of me? Who do you think I am?" I was confused. She continued, "My family threw me out when I was only 12 years old. I've never had a serious partner in my life. And forget about a job; I haven't even completed my schooling." After a moment of reflection, I realised she was a trans-woman. Upon hearing her story, I realised my problems weren't as significant. That rainy evening I can never forget. Her name was Muskan, and like her name, she always had a smile on her face.

- Shubhranshu Mohanty, Social Media Manager at a US based firm, Bhubaneswar

Titanic

“My fondest monsoon memory is from my childhood when I used to be a school going kid. It was perhaps the year 1998, when I had been to my native village during the summer vacations. It was my first experience of the monsoon in the countryside. Dark clouds gathered around the open rural sky, visible through the courtyard of our home, as I along with my other cousins were busy enjoying the swings during Raja festival. Heavy rains lashed in no time, as we kids were forced to stop our play. One of my cousins was very upset over the development. We observed the loud clatter of the raindrops on the asbestos roof, the gushing of the village roads with streams of water and the occasional thunder that stunned everyone.

As the temperatures cooled down, that sad cousin of mine became joyful. But we kids were difficult to control, as we ran around, filled with joy. In an attempt to prevent us from catching cold due to being wet, my aunt taught us how to make a paper boat, considering the rising water level of the floor of our home’s courtyard after a while. All the children there, five in number, made their own paper boats. One cousin brother of mine, explained alternate ways of making paper boats. Once all of us prepared our boats, next was our turn to set sail to it on the water-filled courtyard. We children danced in childish excitement after seeing them float through the turbulent waters. Suddenly out of nowhere, small toads started appearing on the scene, swimming and jumping in the area. A few boats disintegrated and drowned, while some kept floating. The sinking of the paper boats reminded us of the movie Titanic, which was one of the most successful movies of that time. 

Over the next few days, the village surroundings which were dry and lifeless, got filled with greenery and natural abundance. Being one of my earliest memories of monsoon in the village, the monsoon of 1998 was one filled with joy, excitement and innocence of childhood.”

- Amit Nayak, Designer at a Delhi based agency, Bhubaneswar

Raincoats

“When we were in school, during one particularly rainy season, my friends and I came up with a fun way to spot each other on the busy, rain-soaked streets. The weather had turned gloomy and grey, and it seemed like the rain would never stop. We decided to bring some colour and cheer into our lives by wearing raincoats in bright, different colours. Pratyasha had a vibrant red raincoat that stood out like a beacon in the downpour. Shalini's raincoat was a cheerful yellow, as bright as the sun we all missed seeing. My own raincoat was a deep, dark blue, reminiscent of the night sky. We didn’t plan it initially, but soon, these colourful raincoats became more than just protection from the rain. They became a way for us to find each other easily in the crowded streets filled with umbrellas and rain boots. Every morning, as we walked to school, we started looking for those flashes of colour amidst the sea of grey. It turned into a game for us – spotting the bright red of Pratyasha's coat or the sunny yellow of Shalini's from a distance. Seeing these colours in the distance always brought a smile to our faces, knowing a friend was nearby. Our colourful raincoats didn’t just make it easier to find each other; they also showed off our unique styles. Pratyasha's bold and passionate personality was perfectly matched by her red coat. Shalini, always the optimist, wore her yellow coat like a ray of sunshine. And my dark blue coat, calm and steady, reflected my own nature. Each colour represented who we were, adding a personal touch to our rainy day attire. These vibrant raincoats transformed our rainy walks into something fun and exciting. We would laugh and wave when we spotted each other, sometimes even running to meet up under one umbrella, sharing stories and jokes as we walked to school together. The game of spotting each other turned the drab, rainy days into something to look forward to. Every colourful coat in the distance became a potential friend, turning the mundane walk into a daily adventure. This simple trick of wearing colourful raincoats made even the rainiest days feel a bit brighter and more enjoyable. It wasn’t just about staying dry; it was about bringing a splash of colour into our lives and finding joy in the small things. The sight of those bright colours cutting through the dreary weather brought a sense of warmth and camaraderie, making the rainy season one of the most memorable times of our school days.”

- Diksha Bhawsinka, Talent Acquisition Partner at a Bangalore based firm, Cuttack

Casper

The weather outside had been scorchingly hot and humid all day, the kind that makes the air feel heavy. The sun blazed down relentlessly, creating waves of heat that shimmered off the pavement. It was the kind of weather that made every breath feel like an effort, and stepping outside felt like walking into an oven. But as the afternoon wore on, a change began to sweep across the sky. Dark clouds gathered, rolling in slowly but steadily, their presence bringing a welcome sense of relief. The blindingly bright sky turned overcast, and the light softened, hinting at the promise of rain. With a sense of anticipation building, I decided to open the windows. The atmosphere was charged with electricity, and the scent of rain hung tantalisingly in the air. Casper, our ever-curious and energetic dog, immediately sensed the change. His ears perked up, and his tail wagged excitedly as he bounded across the room to his favourite spot in the house—the window sill that offered a panoramic view of the busiest streets of Cuttack. This was his perch, his personal lookout where he could watch the world go by, and today, it promised a special treat. I stepped away from my computer, unable to resist the pull of the moment. Joining Casper by the window, I felt a deep sense of contentment wash over me. Together, we watched as the first fat droplets of rain began to fall. The streets below, which had been bustling with activity, seemed to pause in a collective sigh of relief as the rain began to fall in earnest. The sound of the rain was a soothing symphony, a rhythmic patter that drowned out the usual clamour of the streets. People hurried for cover, but there was a sense of joy and rejuvenation in the air—a shared celebration of the first monsoon shower of the year. It was a simple moment, but one filled with beauty and peace. As the rain continued to fall, cooling the air and washing away the heat of the day, Casper and I stayed by the window, soaking in the sight and sound of the season’s first monsoon shower.

-Riteek Dev Das, Photographer, Cuttack