Punjab is called the land of Gurus, Pirs, Rishis and Fakirs. Also the home of fairs and festivals, of course.I feel that every Punjabi mela or fair displays its own distinct spirit.

The individual ‘character’ or tone of a mela is the personification of the essence of its milieu which comprises its mythological or historical significance, its season and crops. Besides, the prevalent social, economic and political atmosphere also shapes its being. 

Mela Chhapar, held in the memory of Gugga Pir, is one of the most popular and spectacular festivals of the Malwa belt of Punjab. Its time-setting is between autumn and winter. ‘Bye’ to summer and ‘Hi’ to winter, bestows it with a unique seasonal flavor. It heralds a welcome break after the hard spell of farming during hot and humid days of the month of Bhaddon, mid-August  to mid-September. A pleasant nip in the air fanning the mature Saoni or winter crops  tingles the fun-loving nature of the Punjabi populace.

All this reminds me of the spirit of autumn one can feel or even aesthetically touch by reading John Keats’ famous poem Ode To Autumn. It opens with these charming lines;

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun

From among various mela-spirited personas minor, I could revive a few vignettes still preserved in my childhood memory. They are of a selfless social worker, an open-hearted shopkeeper and a caring uncle. To view them again from across over six decades is in itself a nostalgically pleasant experience. A picture gallery to enjoy!

Here are brief images of those seemingly common but certainly special role players in the creation of the mela spirit.

A Water Volunteer

He is in his 40s, of robust physique, religious-minded and of a cheerful mien.  Married and a father, Mr. Singh likes doing social service. The advent of Chhapar mela galvanizes him to get ready with his bokka and lajj i.e. about 2 gallon capacity leather bucket tied to a rope of approximately 30 feet length. 

Every mela day spurs him to station himself at a well, situated by the path leading to the fair ground of village Chhapar. He draws fresh, cold water with his lajj and bokka and politely pours it into the cupped hands of the thirsty.  An example of Bhai Ghanaiya’s benevolent spirit! The thankful beneficiaries bless him in spoken or unspoken words. They rest for a while under a shady kikar tree (a species now getting extinct, alas!) and resume their march onward.

A benign banyia

A petty, poor shopkeeper from our village would set up his tea-shop in the heart of the mela. He would also make hot pakoras and jalebis, even jalebis of ‘gurh’ or jaggery. What an uncommon but tasty recipe!  He behaves as a carefree Jat Baniya. Fellow villagers visiting the mela know about the location of his shack. Those feeling tired or unwell could relax under his tarp tent. Lost kids or property could also be deposited/found there.

A caring uncle
 
Usually a middle-aged mela fan who would volunteer to safely escort 2-3 neighborhood boys to the fair.  He likes to help his wards even at the cost of his own enjoyment. His usual attire would include a starched turla-crested turban, tunic like shirt, a chadrah wrapped around legs and embroidered khussa. He conducts the boys through varied make-shift bazaars, singers’ akharaas, circus and magic shows, political conferences etc. The youngsters would spend their mela allowance of a rupee or so on entertainment, toys, Punjabi booklets or kissa legends, food and sweets. Some change still jingles in their pockets.

By the time they take the last and jam-packed railway train from Ahmedgarh to Ludhiana, almost full moon of chaudish lights their two kilometer walk from Kila Raipur railway station to their homes, in the kind care of the uncle, of course. They could not have enjoyed the mela without the uncle’s care. They would dream of sharing their precious mela experiences with their buddies on the next school day.