स्वAR

Mumbai Monsoons have made a daring comeback as the city’s heat and ill-doings are temporarily washed away by this persistent downpour. While some are savoring chai and vada pavs, eagerly awaiting the view from their apartment balconies, others are personally embraced by the rain-showers at train stations, office buildings, college exits, and during negotiations with taxi-bhaiyas. It is during this season that the true spirit of Mumbai comes alive, and for students at St. Xavier’s, it marks the arrival of Malhar, an unforgettable experience.

Though the word ‘Malhar’ traditionally refers to a raga in Indian Classical Music, it also symbolizes the anticipation of rain and its accompanying festivities. Every year, the college festival takes place in the middle of August, prompting the perennial question: “Why choose the rainy month?” Every year, the answer remains unchanged: Malhar is the child of Monsoon that embodies its joy, its challenges, its vivacity. Over the years, Malhar has witnessed countless rains, and it has taught its people the art of perseverance in the face of torrential adversity. 

Can you recall your first encounter with Puddles dancing around? For some, it was that drizzling weekend at Marine Drive when the workforce took over Sunday Streets. As a freshly-minted Volunteer, you quickly realize that between July and September, the clouds can engulf you if you dare venture outside without an umbrella. For outstation students, it was after countless PR drives in the rain that we learned how the Mumbai Locals work. Through a series of firsts in both Malhar and Bombay ki Baarish, we evolve into individuals capable of adapting to sudden changes and navigating choppy waters.

This year, Malhar finds itself in the Eye of the Storm. As we strive to find our inner calm amidst the chaos of the months leading up to the fest, the rain doesn’t make it any easier on us. There have been times when the downpour has damaged Texx’s equipment and books in the Book Lounge. Schedules and meetings become as unpredictable as the trains at CST. FA and DnM have to put in extra hours to waterproof their setup, but through it all, we persist every single time. The dance continues, with IPA and WPA incarnating as peacocks gracefully swaying in the cloudburst. FnD captures every raindrop with their camera, while Security works tirelessly to ensure everyone’s safety in the shade. The show must go on, and the indomitable spirit of Malhar prevails. In a time of uncertainty, one thing remains certain: the winds of change can blow as they may, but we are fully prepared to weather this storm, and this monsoon will be unlike any other.