Nostalgia- (1960s- 1970s)
Nostalgia has always been my friend. When no one was around, the feeling of nostalgia was a company. Even though I did not have the privilege of being born during the golden period, 1960s and 1970s, I don’t know what it’s to be like living in that era, yet a bittersweet nostalgia engulfs me when I think about it.
The allure of Rajesh Khanna movies, the purity of old-fashioned romance, and the timeless classics by Kishore Kumar all carry a sense of comfort and warmth.
There is a deep, emotional connection to something I’ve never witnessed, people I’ve never met, lifestyle I’ve never come close to and feelings of simplicity I don’t think I’ll ever experience.
The elegance of a cotton saree, the richness of authentic Indian culture and the modest way of life—they transport me to days gone by. I yearn for the time when people found solace in reading dusty brown books lining in cracked shelves.
Above all, i miss the significance of letters. The lost art of pouring out emotions on a piece of paper when it becomes difficult to express yourself into spoken words.
When innocent gazes from right across the street could lead to people sending love letters and igniting a lifelong love…
When lifestyle was humble, cherishing valuable moments with family was appreciated and people melted their day’s exhaustion over a cup of chai and good company.
And When people lied at home and sneaked out to watch Shammi Kapoor’s latest hits.
From Trams, rickshaws, telephones to vintage cassettes on the radio, I find myself obsessing over the simplest of the retro things.
I cannot put into words how I feel when I stumble upon a 1970s cassette set or when I come across pictures clicked in 1963.
It leads me to contemplate my hypothetical existence as what my life would’ve been like if I was present in that moment. Would I have chosen a path as a teacher? Or a skilled weaver?
Perhaps, my role would have involved fostering a sense of community by hosting the neighborhood children for a cup of chai and some namkeen. My heart feels full and my eyes become blurry when I think about “what could’ve been” , “how would it feel” , “when could’ve been better” .
These feelings and thoughts occupy my mind and leave me thinking some parts of me belong to an era which has no clue about my existence.
I feel a disconnection from my own generation as if I am displaced from my people, not being able to resonate with any of them.
When the present fails to provide any of those sentiments that I ache for, I find myself engaged in the past, seeking nostalgic experiences. It is fascinating how an era we never personally encountered can have such a deep and emotional impact on our lives, resonating with us in so many ways, leaving an indelible mark on our lives.
This bittersweet feeling makes me want to wear a Banarasi silk saree and lie down on a hammock, listening to Lata Mangeshkar Ji’s “Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujhpar” .
