AtreyaSarma Uppaluri (Hyderabad, AP, India)

[ Intro: Raksha Bandhan or Raakhi is an annual Hindu festival which falls on a full-moon day. In 2009, it fell on Aug 05. Raksha Bandhan means bond of protection. Though it mainly takes place between a brother and a sister, it can be between any set of two persons, irrespective of their relationship, gender and social status. The sister visits her brother and ties a band (called Raakhi) on his wrist seeking his love and protection. The brother, in turn, pledges to honour her wishes. Sisters present brothers with sweets, and brothers please them with some good gifts. This festival offers many twists and turns. And here are a few verbal cartoons capturing some such hilarious scenes at the end of the day.]


(1)

Only one rakhi on his wrist
Seeing the clustered wrists of his friends
He sobbed and sobbed
For want of more

(2)

A pile of rakhis up to his shoulder
Yet he cried bitterly:
“Every girl calls me brother
None, lover! ”

(3)

Only sister
She reaps a fortune
From her ten brothers

(4)

Ten sisters swarm
The only brother
He gets broke

(5)

Only brother
Dozen blood sisters
And umpteen sisterly
He sets up a sweet shop
The next day

(6)

Everyone envied him
Congratulated him
His arm had the largest number of rakhis
He only knew the secret:
He had spent a five grand on rakhis
And another one hundred bucks
To pay an urchin
Who tied them on him
In a secluded spot

[Aug 07,2009: : Hyderabad-500056]