Bonfire

Author: Uma Natrajan

Pallette of woods set on fire, sitting and enjoying the moon, vibrant sounds of music, fire making the night appear in to dawn. ‘ red and orange fire, flickering high, glowing, smoking and burning, refreshing my heart and mind.’ 

‘ Bonfire’ actually in past referred to backyard burning toasting and roasting, ‘Bon’ is a French word meaning good. Bonfire signifies, cause of triumph or exaltation. An open air fire to get rid of chillness. The Bonfire also acts as holy fire. Initially it was just lit to eliminate all the waste materials

Bonfires introduce a part of celebration signifying happiness and rejuvenates elements of rejoice.  It symbolised to consecrate things by setting a fire. It was referred through as fire of bones,after wards,it became ‘Bonfire’Few used it for wastage disposal.

       In our country’s northern states ‘ Lohri ‘ festival holds cultural values.It is jubilant marking bountiful Yielding of crops like sugarcane, ground nut etc. This festival also symbolises the bravery of Dulla Bhatti who saved the girls from slavery.
It’s said that perhaps it marks the concluding period of winter. This is a joyous, vibrant festival. People ignite fire, share joy of the harvest season. Special Lohri dance and songs are intrinsic part of their feature. People enjoy by Relishing puffed rice, popcorns and sweets. Sarson ka saag and makke ki roti  is epitomized as match made in heaven so it is prepared on this day. The Bonfire flames erase the darkness signifying the triumph of good over evil. Fire acts as a purifier.

The simmering fire keeps every one warm. In southern states same’ Lohri ‘ is celebrated as’ ‘Bhogi’. ‘Bhogi’ is the first day of ‘Pongal’ celebrations. Burning old waste things. Many delicacies are prepared. ‘ Bhogi’ is celebrated to worship lord ‘Indra’  Again this is a worship for prosperity and happiness as a result to the Yielding of crops. Lighting ‘ Bonfire’ indulging in tasty food, wearing new clothes. ‘Bhogi’ ‘Bonfire is lit in the afternoon, day time.

On’ Bhogi’ people discard old things accept new things for a transformation in their life. At dawn they collect all refused or derelict things and light Bonfire. Houses are decorated, white washed and ‘kolams’ are made outside the house  on the floor of rice flour, mango leaves and marigolds ornament the house lounge. Pumpkin flowers are used for the decorations. Farmers worship their ploughs and farm equipments. This festival signifies family togetherness. Kites are blown up in the air. cock fighting is another game of entertainment. 

In Maharashtra people eat bajra rotis. Bhogi represents source of all energy of sun moving towards northern hemisphere.

About the Author:

Uma Natarajan is M.A. in  English literature from Gwalior University.

She retired as a Teacher of Higher secondary school teaching, English, Hindi languages in convent schools. 

She writes poetries in Hindi and English and have published many articles. She published 18 books on English poetries and 2 on Hindi poetry.  She also contributes her English and Hindi poems on many creative writing platforms.