Baliyatra Poem by Purusottam Chuli

Notwithstanding infection in her two eyes
My daughter was hell-bent on visiting Baliyatra
To enjoy and feel the past glory of the Odia
Sadhavas of yesteryears;

She was so fond of the pious Kartika Full Moon
And the auspicious ceremony of boat-floating
That her mortal body made her awake at dawn
To purge of her mortal sin by invoking
Aa Ka Bai, Pan Gua THoi …
While some of her pals might be still flashing the same
On their respective morning dreams;

That day devotees as well as their shrines everywhere
Were generous enough to serve cooked offerings
To one and all; the day was for exploration
And the budding daughter of mine
Was on the verge of exploration to explore
That her eyes could see and her mouth could take;

She didn't mind tossing and gossiping
To every near and dear one;
Rather she did take the lead in taking
Delicious Thunkapuri and Gupchup etc.
Without blush;

Then she navigated the electronic ocean
To learn and enjoy the wonders of science;
She was in full spirit and got afraid of nobody—
Why should she be scared? The whole of District
Administration and Civil Society were there;
We were there too; thus, she saw, enjoyed, felt in her
Sweet heart and shared before her well-wishers there;

Once again, she rushed to the rush to watch
Mesmerizing dances and songs at pandal;
Cultures of various hues invigorated her heart—

Thereafter, she led us towards stadium
And felt the soul of festival with little sand
But more business cacophony there;
She wondered how there was rebate/discount
Of upto fifty per cent over a thing at festival
And what percentage of profit went to the producer's kitty?

Her thinking is on and on;
For she hasn't come of age to know the honeymoon
Between the production and administration;
She is a member of public and her reminiscences
May vanish soon like flash of lightning;

But one thing remains unanswered—
The Sadhavas of yesteryears
Used to bring profit to us;
The poor we are being continually exploited
by the producers and thus worst sufferers
With impunity and without governmental fuss.