It’s finally that time of the year when the cheeks are rosy, mon is furfure, and the thanda hawa is making the heart sing. While winter is a love language, there ought to be a dictionary, too, that covers the A to Z of the many moods of a Bengali during the bhalobashar season.
Here’s My Kolkata’s Winter Bongtionary, that will be totally relatable and giggle-worthy for anyone who has grown up Bangali.
A: Aaj temperature koto?
Be it summer or winter, “what is the temperature today” is not just a conversation starter but a matter of serious debate. The conversation spans the whole gamut from comparing temperatures over the years, touching on climate change and global warming (use of plastics and eco-friendly lifestyles are a topic for another day), to exchanging and sometimes concocting bizarre stories on thanda and gorom experiences from life and travels.
B: Boroline makhi, thandaye thont phatche!
Winters without Boroline are a complete no-no for any Bengali. Remember, this song by Sawan Dutta (The Metronome)? It isn't hyperbole, Boroline truly lives up to its catchline. It indeed is Bongo jeebaner anga, and no skincare product, no matter how luxe, can come close to the presence, importance and miraculous effects of Boroline.
C: Chaa hobe naki aar ekbaar?
How many times is too many times, especially when it is really, really cold (or not)? Chaa is an emotion, protection (from the cold in this case), cure (for a sour mood) and whether you prefer a Darjeeling or a masala chai, celebrating winter with some gorom chaa is a generational ritual.
D: Durey kothao jai…
Winter vacations are always a whole other vibe since chhotobela, and the magic doesn't fade even in adulthood. So, be it Puri, Digha, or better still, Darjeeling, or even a quick trip to a different side of the country, cholo jai is the mantra for sheeth kaal!
E: Ektao dorja, janala jeno khola na thake… Ja hawa!
Enjoying the first whiff of morning air is fine. But through the day? Sealing the windows be thy mantra or freezing be thy option. You pick.
F: Fan porishkar korar sujog
There’s spring cleaning, pre-Pujo cleaning, pre-Poila Baisakh cleaning, post-yearender house party cleaning and then there is pakha porishkar in winter. Maximum utilisation of any given opportunity looks like this. Is it proven that less dust gathers on a still fan? Who knows!
G: Gorom jol
If the answer to “Gorom jol ache?” is “no”, it is doomsday for sure! By any means that it can be arranged, gorom jol is a must for every Bangali’s winter. (Remember the “running hot water” in Kahaani?) Not just for a hot shower, because in winter “gorom jol khete hoye”, otherwise thanda laga is inevitable.
H: Hanser dim kosha hobe?
Winters are meant for a gastronomic extravaganza. Hanser dim kosha (duck egg kosha), biryani, the many halwas, makki roti and sarson saag, and more! The abundant bajaars with the freshest produce and the endless, countless mouthwatering wonders! Winter is a time for ‘happy in my tummy’ posts every other day.
Find a quick hanser dimer kosha recipe here.
I: Iish! kobe je abar sheeth porbe
Winter is like chhotobela — stays for a few days, is underrated by many and taken for granted by many more. We wish for it to get over but long for it from the very second of saying goodbye. Even before the winter months end, the missing begins. Brace for the sun, and long for the sheeth because only asche bochhor abar hobe.
J: Jol na borof?
Water from the tap normally but feels like ice, and with each encounter you have visions of crashing into an iceberg! We did learn jole jeebon early in life, but with all the tanks exposed to the chilly air of the season, the jol seems to be after our lives. Not everything is connected to the geyser, folks! IYKYK.
K: Komla lebu season
No winter is complete without the integral ritual of feasting on juicy oranges. Plus, storing the orange peel for skin care, making marmalade, squirting some into the sibling’s eyes (for fun) — the many utilities that come with the package are baffling.
L: Lep amar bae
Lep muri diye ghoom is a priceless winter-time gift that can never be rightly described, only experienced.
M: Murgir roast time
A food roast, some sauteed veggies, a glass of wine, all of them pair perfectly with the nip in the air — a recipe for a mini vacation right at home, isn’t it?
N: Nolen gur
TT Archives
Nolen gurer payesh, patishapta, peethe puli, some gur with gorom ruti, or a bowl of jhola gur with phulko luchi — winters and nolen gur are a love affair. For the Bangali, there is no winter without gur, they are forever made for each other.
O: Ora kothay beratey geche? Amio jabo!
The one downside of vacation season? A social media feed spammed by friends, dur ke rishtedaar and random-person-on-your-friendlist all posting about their day trips and vacays. The result is a whole list of choices to choose from for your own winter getaway. The FOMO is real but also this wonderful time of the year deserves the respect of a getaway where you make the most of the handful days of travelling without panting and sweating and feeling fatigued. Get sorting, folks.
P: Picnic plan kor!
Winter without at least one picnic? Impossible! Which picnic spot are you heading off to?
Q: ‘Que sera sera’ (POV: Covid might be making a comeback but…)
We will continue to think of ways to enjoy the thanda because where there is will, there is way (and TBH, Covid has become that pestering uninvited relative who makes us wonder athiti tum kab jaogey?) Even if that means no pub hopping and more house parties or even Whatsapp video group chats, we will devise means, methods, mediums… ‘and whatever will be will be’...
R: Rodey boshbo
Soaking the sun on a madur can bring something wonderful to WFH, weekdays, breakup blues, existential crises and more. Jadu (remember Koi… Mil Gaya?) had the right idea. Soak in the power of dhoop and sun bathe as much as you want. Don’t forget your sunscreen though.
S: Snan kortei hobe?
Skipping a shower during winters is an acceptable form of self love. There, we said it!
T: Tel mekhe jhotpot jol dhali
Be it shorsher tel or olive oil, a good massage and a snan at the speed of light is the only time we are willing to turn into a cheetah from a panda.
U: Uri baba, ki thanda!
Salutations of hi, hello, nomoshkar take a back seat. The winter version is out.
V: Vitamin C, D, E, F, G, toh khachchi, tao sordi lagche!
No matter how many oranges we have or kadhas we gulp, the sniffs and coughs are unshakeable. We are blaming compromised immunity due to bhejal khabar and pollution for this.
W: (W)oollen fashion
The dadus, kakus have got out their monkey caps, the Kashmiri shawls have been soaking in the mellow sun. And for all those on the ’gram, it’s time for layering, wearing beanies and colourful socks, boots, long coats and pullovers — winter fashion season is here! Whether the temperature reading is a cool 20s or a chilly under 10, there’s a winter wardrobe for all time. Plus, there has to be a special trip to New Market because winter shopping includes buying new hoodies every year. And there is no such thing as too many hoodies. Period.
X: X= Sheeth, Y= Prem
It’s cuffing season, guys. Cuddle weather, snuggle season, there are many names for this ideal season for prem. Plus, also Bangali’s Valentine’s Day, aka Saraswati Puja, is right ’round the corner. Bae radar on?
(For all those wondering what cuffing season is, find a ready reckoner here.)
Y: Yawn, yawn, yawn
Eto thanday ghum paye, ki korbo? Look, all the yawning and the absolute need to stay in bed, under the blankets, warm and toasty, and more yawning — it’s the season’s fault, our state of lyadh has nothing to do with it.
Z: Zoo jai ei robibar?
Remember the days when the mercury dropped and schools shutting was inevitably followed by a visit to the zoo? Ah, the nostalgia! How about a revisit? We are never too old to relive memories, are we?
Happy winters (while it lasts)!
