Aesthetic Artistry

Rachna Vinod
Years ago, newly wedded couple Gayatri and Syam had come on a pleasure trip to this hilly area, a hill station. They were so much mesmerized by never ending view of one after another big and small mountain ranges, full of thick ever green deodar forests, that they decided for permanent settlement there only. Chilly breeze coming out of those snowy mountains had cast a spell on them. Silent, calm deodar trees looked like lost in meditation since centuries, praying for keeping the untouched beauty of the mighty mountains and deep valleys intact. That small hill station was sparsly inhabited. Catering to the needs of tourists like Gayatri and Syam, there were two-three small eateries and hotels. There was a small government school also with just two teachers as not many children were enrolled because of sparse population. Some rich philontherapist and educationist had opened a boarding school where only rich, affluent children could get admission because of exorbitant fee structure. There was a little goings-on in the otherwise silent hills because of these activities. Mostly people used mules or horses as means of transport or they walked on foot to go around. Using local means of transport. Quite impressed by local simple life style, they decided to return back for permanent settlement there.
Unpretentious locals sizing up Gayatri and Syam’s well-meaning professional behaviour, extended their cooperation in their business endeavour in that hilly area. So Gayatri and Syam didn’t face much difficulty in establishing residence as well as buisness there. Respecting the local life style, they started their life in a place of their choice. As per their need, they bought two horses and kept a local hostler Gangu for horses’ upkeep. Starting with a new concept of shopping in that remote area, he opened a shopping plaza where all the utility items were available under one roof. Besides locals, his clientele included seasonal tourists, hotels, restaurants and boarding school staff and students. Life started moving on well-drawn definate lines. Many a time when Syam was busy in the shop, Gayatri after finishing household chores, would often walk up and down those endless range of hills on foot like locals. Breathing fresh air, she would feel deep intimacy, affinity and close proximity with those hills. Rejuvenated and refreshed with renewed energy, she would neither feel tired nor lonely while running across, up and down those hills. The congeniality with those hills was like that of much familiar, long awaited friends. There was Lord Shiva’s ancient temple on top of one of the comparatively higher hill. A stairway path was leading to the temple. It had almost hidden beneath layers of muddy grass because of not much use. In swift run, Gayatri would climb up to the Lord Shiva temple on that highest hill and after paying obeisance, keep sitting there for hours together feeling absolutely at ease with herself, imbibing the celestial ambience.
During summer, all those hills were laden with small-small white-yellow fragrant flowers. Surrounded by high snowy peaks from all sides and enshrouded by recluse, tall deodar trees, the hills wrapped in numerous small-small fragrant white and yellow flowers would open treasure-house of untouched ethereal unparallell beauty. Mesmerized Gayatri would keep absorbing it, concentrate in meditation and feel calmness flowing in body and soul. Gayatri had noted the time taken on foot between her residence and shopping plaza which was around fifteen minutes. Many a time, she herself would bring the household goods which sometimes included eggs. Habitual of running across the hills, not being careful with carrying goods, many eggs used to be broken enroute. Syam would laugh out on this habit of hers. Thus passing time peacefully and happily, they were blessed with one daughter and two sons.
In her mind, for her own convenience, Gayatri had divided in two categories the weather conditions of this hilly area situated at an altitude of almost ten thousand feet above sea level, into cold and extremely cold weather because the high peaks of surrounding mountains were always snow clad. It could never be known how many layers of ice sheets covered those peaks. Those never seemed to melt. White snowy peaks looked like communicating with clear azure sky in intimacy. In dusky evenings, dim fog arising out of majestic mountains mixed with snowy mist looked like thin cover holding those peaks in safe and secure embrace. Sunlight touching those shining pure white snowy peaks, would reflect golden light all around. Comparatively to plains, late sunrise and early sunset is experienced in mountains. During snowfall, snow-covered mountains look like covering and embracing the numerous hills as if those are in need of protective white sheet of snow. Slowly and slowly waking up from hibernation of months together under safe layers of melting snow, the hills, present a very refreshing sight. Narcissus flowers blooming here and there, are heavenly treat for eyes. The information about the untouched treasure of natural beauty of this hitherto unknown to the world, was fast spreading because of modern means of communication, resulting in increase of tourists to the place. These tourists would leave some impression of their culture while returning back to their native places. Consequently the simple but otherwise worldwise and practical natives were also not left untouched to the effect of various life style modalities. Blended culture had started making its visible impact in so far, far off sparsely populated mountains.
Even after so many years, the heavenliness of the place were so deeply engraved in Gayatri’s psyche that it could neither be altered by any effect of other worldy influences nor any modern advancement could lure her. For her, the whole world was confined to these hills which always appeared relaxed among mighty mountains. Mist arising out of majestic and segacious mountains, looked like coming to her to cover her in loving, safeguarding embrace. She would feel complete inner peace among the ascetic tall deodar trees presenting the panoramic view. The matchless and enthralling aesthetic artistry of nature was visible at its best here. Ethereal fondness for the place had grown manifold over the years. Still feeling spellbound, sitting in the courtyard of temple situated on the highest hill, she would feel same spiritual calmness as she had felt as newly wedded bride of Syam when first time, both of them had stepped into these alluring hills and got exposure to the stellar beauty.

Follow our WhatsApp channel