The world over, rain is seen as a nuisance - especially in the western countries, it is called a 'spoilsport' but in India, rain is seen as the benefactor of mankind! The face of a farmer with his palm to his forehead, looking at the skies for black, water-bearing clouds is a common icon in our culture. So is the picture of a woman waiting for her lover in this season of love. Rain - or water - is seen in Indian culture as the symbol of life and its eternal flow. It is season of dance, Raas, love and music. Don't forget the immortal Meghdoot of Kalidasa begins with 'Ashadhsya pratham divase' meaning 'on the first rainy day of Ashadh...." So our poetry, our music, our dance and our very lives are entwined with the theme of rain and its benevolence to our land. In fact, Krishna is the black clouds (Ghanashyam) who rains his mercy on us through water so we sing 'Ghanashyam barso re'. No country looks at rain as we do.

Contributed by my learned well loved friend, Vimla Patil
In the picture above, Vimla Patil and myself