The beauty in the chaos of Dhaka before Eid

 

 Tiana Samreen 

BRACU Student ID : 24104007

Section : 41

When I was young, often when I sat beside my father watching the news headlines every evening after iftar, a rather colorful and intriguing advertisement would come up on screen. It was the 'Shopno Jabe Bari Amar' advertisement by Grameenphone,  an OVC about people who leave Dhaka for their villages and hometowns. Though an 8 year old me had no idea that this was only a marketing stunt by the tech-mobile giants, the music and the scenes in that very advertisement sat in my head. 

You would ask what was so interesting about the advertisement? Well, it was only Dhaka. My Dhaka, in its purest form before Eid-Ul-Fitr came by another year round. Whilst most people would be variably excited about shopping, new clothes and get-togethers, to me, Eid is associated with memories, nostalgia and most importantly, relationships close to the heart. 

There’s not one exact reason for why this chaos is beautiful to me. But if there’s one thing that moves me the most, it is the very idea of homecoming. Most people feel disturbed and irritated by the chaos around this time. But I find a unique beauty in this chaos, because sitting in a traffic, I know this is not merely a traffic. Every person stuck in this has a dream of their own, and some of them are dreaming to return to their roots to reunite with their loved ones after a long time. 

 

A year later, when I see people, from all stages of life, be it drivers, construction workers, businessmen, marketeers, etc. going back to their hometowns with their family, back to their loved ones, the heart of the 8 year old inside me is very happy. 

Some people would argue that the chaos in markets, on the roads is tiring and hectic.The crowds are not comfortable for most and it is of course extremely difficult to commute in Dhaka just prior to Eid, however, the rush is like nothing else. 

When you are in Dhaka, standstill. Pause for a bit. 

You will hear the loud voices of the empathetically malnourished bus conductors screaming on the top of their lungs for passengers. “Gazipur-Tangail-Mymensingh!!!!” You will see sweaty day laborers making their way through the pavements on Karwan Bazar stressed whether they will be able to catch a bus on time, back to their hometown for Eid. Look around you.You will see parents rushing to shops to buy the dress of their children’s choice, for them, without worrying about buying something for themselves. 

Look around you again.

You will hear the final goodbyes from colleagues to each other as they finally head out before Eid holidays. As universities close their gates announcing Eid holidays, you will hear an excited daughter or a son who has traveled miles from their home in another part of the country, to the capital for higher education, calling their parents. “Maa I’m coming home, what should I bring for you?” 

You will see grief for the loved ones lost, you will see joy from the feeling of celebrating the first Eid with a new member, you will see friendship, you will see bonds. But between everything else, you will feel peace. Because finally, after a whole year, peace and happiness reigns. 

Eid Mubarak, My Dhaka.