Karjat Mein Shararat

By Dony Kuriakose

This bash of 80 reunion thing is beginning to become an addiction. It’s like an annual calendar highlight that is keenly awaited and never disappoints. So too this time. 

The clamour began from April, the venue happened in June and by July there was a list of 35 plus who were raring to go for the 3 days in September. Finally, 29 landed up at the lovely Aranya resort in Karjat, thanks to our very own Sudhanshu Purohit as host and chief entertainer. 

So come 27th September and “in the planes and on the roads, we’re comin’ to Aranya” to borrow from Neil Diamond. Arrival was smiles, hugs, a welcome drink, a garland (returnable) and a perfect picture pose. 

Then we were guided to well marked cottages, spacious air conditioned rooms with fancy skylit bathrooms and armchair balconies strung out across a paved green pathway that circle the pool and the party place. As we met and mingled in lovely rains, the amazing ambience put all of us into a nice and festive mood with lots of hugs all around. Slightly tighter one’s for the girls as I am sure they would have noticed.

Next, lunch for all the arrivals, followed by an orderly distribution of individual goodie bags. A branded AFCS bash of 80 bag with 2 superb Tee-shirts and 3 high quality practical gifts that everyone will value and use for sure. Plus of course, the lovely little designer lapel-pins that Rachna gifted everyone.

After a short break, some of us dived into the pool to work up an appetite and others simply grabbed a gin and tonic before everyone landed for a sumptuous high tea. Bushed by the end of that, we all retired for a bit before the evening’s festivities, to ensure we had the energy for a late night.

By 7:00 PM we were all assembled in the banquet hall in traditional attire that ranged from chudidar- kurta to veshti+bush shirt. First up was the traditional Maharashtrian Lavani. A folksy rural dance drama teaser with local storytelling themes. Performed by some very talented and very pretty artists, it left us exhausted from just watching, which was of course just perfect for the bar. 

On went the party through the booze and a sumptuous meal to that unique, unmatchable experience of Sudhanshu Purohit in full flow. An evening of his rousing medley across a range that covered anything from Mohammad Rafi to Kishore Da to Manna Dey to Kumar Sanu, Don McLean, The Beatles, Neil Diamond and many others. So there we were with memories and melodies, happily retreating into groups of comfort company, just being together in the moment and sharing the joy of being with each other. Bliss.

As the night rolled on, a bunch of us headed for Sudhanshu’s villa next door for coffee and sat around just chatting and that too was a revelation – despite the years, or perhaps because of them, we talked through so many topics from boarding house escapades to country events and a dozen other things that only old friends can discuss without rancour in these times and come away with much learnt and little lost. We shared diverse views, got insights, pondered over our positions and left even better friends than we arrived, heading off to bed well past midnight.

Next morning started with a downpour that far from dampening, only seemed to lubricate our enthusiasm. Some of us plunged into the pool for a swim in the rain before a sumptuous and expansive breakfast, but as we waited, the rain tightened. Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em – so a dozen of us decided on an impromptu game of water-polo in the rain! That went on for over an hour, with beer, gin and vodka served at the poolside protected by umbrellas and hot snacks at every break in the rain, including the delicious Bhakarwadis that Heena had brought. Everyone joined the game, taking sides or keeping score while tanking up themselves too! Despite all the consumption we had soon worked up the appetite for an expansive lunch followed by special desserts – moist brownies from Nita’s daughter and melt-in-the-mouth chocolate bars from Heena’s son, bless them!

As the rain slowed to a sparse drizzle, the original plan of climbing up to the nearby waterfall was revived. So, after lunch we changed into an assortment of rain protectives from umbrellas to raincoats and ponchos, before packing ourselves into cars to get to the base point for which poor Kunwar had to run his spanking new Merc as an unpaid Uber service! We then trekked through a quaint Maharashtrian village with the kids running up and down all around us, before hitting what was essentially the downstream flow from the waterfall which we had to follow upstream and climb! What with all the rain, the water was flowing freely and every surface was super slippery, such that very soon several of us were “Slip slidin’ away!” Fortunately, despite several tumbles, the only thing we broke were some slipper straps, in return for which we got some splendid views of the waterfall and lush greenery and brilliant pictures of people posing as all manner of characters, from Niagara nuts to Indiana Jones  and legal loominaries!

Back to base for a wash after the drench and it was time for the batch pic. Brilliant green Tee’s with smart jeans and we looked like a champ team, posing in front of the pool. Many retakes happened for reasons ranging from Nita having an argument with a machhar, to everyone wanting a ‘phone exclusive’. All good fun and good pics! Then there was more tea, pakodas, snacks, brownies, chocolates… and this was all BEFORE the party!

As the final event of the trip we sat for a lovely ‘recapture’ video with snippets from the start of our reunions to the making of this one, with retro music and drinks galore in the banquet hall, dancing the night into our collective memories. One highlight being the co-opting of Vaishali in to the OC. Finally, late, late dinner and later still ‘goodnights’ as we reluctantly retired, exhausted but exhilarated!

Early next morning as I sat in the balcony there was this funny procession of chaps in nightclothes sauntering down the path towards our cottage with a mug in hand. As I was trying to decide whether they looked like jawans headed for the canteen or mumbaikars headed for the rail-ki-patri, it suddenly struck me – they were there for Kishore’s gourmet coffee! A dozen cups were doled out and everybody was satiated, soon heading back to their rooms for the ‘patri’ bit.

That was it then, breakfast, many hugs and we hit the road, already wishing for “next time”.

For us in the old OC the best sight was to see such a brilliant show where we just enjoyed flat out, while Shailendra turned from phupha to sasur, Manish went on a leather hunt, Kirti earned the Vijay chakra and Nandi ‘bull’dozed all of them into pulling off a perfect reunion. Mazaa aa gaya!

Finally, those of you who don’t land up are always missed and we often wonder why not. As we come this far in life, that one constant we can lean on is our lovely past and whether it is enjoyment or escape, there’s no better place than the school years. Yet people drop out for myriad reasons from time to convenience to cost to the batchmates-only rule. Believe me, the experience is transformational, like it was for the newbies this time. Bringing that bouncy ebullience in a Heena only a Lajwanti could and fitting that lazy drawl to the lopsided smile only a ‘Chandan’ wood 😉

See you there next time!