Her kilta carries all her burdens. And her kilta carries all her joys.
Every day.
It is the core
of her existence.
Like every other
persons’ in these villages out here.
And I am always
intrigued by it.
Perhaps because,
I have always thought that they use these only in the tea-gardens to put in the
tea-leaves; that too only in movies and photographs. Little did I know that a kilta would carry not only their
harvests, but all their purchases from the main town too? The list includes almost
anything that needs to be carried all the way to or from the village. But now
when I look around, I can spot many a hill women, wearing the traditional pattus (hand woven shawls) walking with
the backs hunched under the weight of these strong hand woven cane baskets. Of course
of late, they have started using the plasticized variant in bright green complete
with black broad straps.
And boy, are
these women strong? Their daily life is full of hardships, even the narrative
of which might sound ancient. At least while sitting before a laptop in a plush
seat. But they live exactly that life and they live it happily.
Coming back to her.
Every evening,
she boards the bus and sits down next to me. And places her kilta safely by her side. It is covered
with a red cloth, tied to the rim of the basket. So I do not know what she
carries in it. And I have not had the courage to ask her. And I cannot answer
the why this last line evokes.
Sometimes I see
her smiling to herself. These days she keeps checking if her basket is safe
again and again. I assume she is carrying gifts for her grandkids back home.
The other days,
she looks heavyhearted. Perhaps, she has not been able to sell her goods. My
brain works out the reason.
Only if I could
steal a look into this basket of hers!
But, it is already
time for her to get down.
May be tomorrow!
Or day after…
Linking up with Write on Edge - Red Writing Hood Link Up : Local Items
What's in the basket?!! Great writing! :) Kept me asking questions, which is really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cait. I am glad you enjoyed the little basket mystery.
DeleteSometimes the speculation is most of the fun. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I totally agree to that Kathleen.
DeleteThe look on her face brings as much curiosity for me as the basket itself. I love the words I learn when I come to your blog. You teach not just a noun or verb, but its nuances. I knew exactly what a kilta was by the end of this piece, even though I started off with no clue.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jessie. Your encouraging words mean so much to me. I really do not have words to thank you enough.
DeleteNow I'm curious too about what's in the basket.
ReplyDeleteWell, join the party :)
DeleteThank you Carver.
I really love this piece of writing! I enjoyed reading it very much, and could feel the kinship with her you must have felt, and the curiosity.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marie
Delete