How do you feel about cold weather?
The post explores various perceptions of seasons and weather, primarily reflecting on William Shakespeare’s metaphorical comparison of youth and age. It emphasises how different climates affect human experiences, shaping individual perceptions and preferences toward seasons. The text discusses the characteristics of weather across climatic zones. It highlights the harshness of summer in tropical regions, emphasising the severity of winter in frigid areas. It illustrates the unique qualities and joys of each season. The focus is on the cherished aspects of summer, monsoon, winter, and spring in India. Ultimately, it advocates celebrating these seasonal changes as natural gifts that enrich life and offer essential sustenance.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article explores perceptions of seasons, comparing their impact on human experiences through Shakespeare’s metaphor.
- Different climatic zones influence people’s feelings, highlighting contrasts between harsh summers, frigid winters, and temperate weathers.
- In India, seasons like summer, monsoon, winter, and spring possess unique characteristics, each contributing to cultural and environmental richness.
- Celebrating seasonal changes serves as a reminder of nature’s bounty, breaking monotony while offering sustenance.
- Ultimately, every season is a natural gift that enriches life and teaches the transience of difficult phases.
Perception and experience
William Shakespeare, while comparing old age with youth, wrote:
“Youth is like summer morn, age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare…”
-William Shakespeare
Shakespeare probably had not experienced the scorching Asian heat. His experience with winter had prompted him to compare youth with a summer morning. For him, summer is brave while winter is bare. His experiences with winter must not have been so good. The winters used to be harsh and snowy. The sun is feeble in the area where he lived. Had he experienced the sultry heat or the simmering heat of the desert, his experience would have been different. He would probably have compared the two phases of life differently, using various other symbols. It is the perception that gives a different angle of vision and dimension to a happening.
Perception
Perception is what shapes how people feel and think. It is subjective and depends on individual choices. When one talks about liking or disliking something, whether itโs a person or a place, they are seeking personal perception. Itโs not about finding a rule. It is like changing seasons which cyclically come and go and give a series of experiences.
Harshness of weather
Various climatic zones experience different temperatures with little variation. The frigid, for example, experiences harsh cold with snow and blizzards. People living in those areas suffer from harsh cold weather. Low visibility is another challenge due to atmospheric snow and less solar visibility. Similarly, people of the Torrid zone experience harsh summers with dust and typhoons, extreme heat and hostile weather conditions. The temperate zone has little harshness and distinct weather patterns.
People living in equatorial regions experience the harshness of summer. The sun’s rays shine directly for extended hours during long summer days, making the summers seem especially prolonged. The local people adapt to this environment as a part of their way of life. So do the flora and fauna. They find ways to cope with the intense heat. Seasons are the natural manifestations of nature’s moods. Seasonal changes influence people differently.
Seasons in India
India lies in the temperate region. Since the tropic of cancer crosses India halfway, the South of India is tropical. In India, seasons are clearly demarcated and follow a succession. According to the Vikram calendar, summer occurs first, followed by the rainy season or monsoon. A transitional season, “Sharad” (autumn), follows the monsoon. Winter, fall and spring follow in succession after the monsoon. Every season has importance and utility. (The Times of India)
Monotony breaker
One of the great things about the seasonal cycle is that it breaks the monotony. The periods of every season are not long. After a season reaches its crescendo, geographical conditions start to act. They change the season and give respite from its harshness.
Summer season
The main perceptible seasons are summer, winter and monsoon. Each has its own charm and aura. The summers are harshly warm with hot westerly winds, known as “Looh”, lashing most areas.
Mango – the summer’s delight
Summer is the season of best juicy, pulpy and delicious fruits. The most prominent of them all is mango. Different in shape, size, texture, taste, and aroma, varieties of mangoes are the season’s speciality. While Alphonso is a famous variety of mango, other varieties are also well-known. These include Dussehari, Langra, Chausa, Safeda, sindoor, and others. They are delectable delights and are relished by the majority of people. Their intoxicating redolence, colour and juicy pulp make a person happy and content.
Other summer fruits
Apart from mango, summer offers some other sweet delights. They are watermelon and muskmelon. Watermelons are rich in water content. They are enriched with micronutrients that are good for beating the heat. Cucumbers are yet another delight which, though they have no taste, are excellent with large water contents and micronutrients.
Cosy orchard shade
Enjoying the cosy shade of mango trees is an inexpressible experience. Lying on a cot in a mango orchard enhances this feeling. The lashing winds and rattling leaves produce a symphony peculiar to the season.
Evenings
The evenings in the summer are comparatively less harsh because of the absence of scorching sun. Rustic people would sprinkle water on the simmering earth to make it cool. They would rest after sunset. The harsh, hot winds mellowed down. The effect of this cooled earth was soothing.
Monsoon
After a seemingly long spell of heatwave, the season starts changing, giving respite from the hot and humid conditions. The arrival of the monsoon brings respite from the heat and joy. Women take a break at this time. They enjoy collective swinging in mango orchards. They sing vernacular songs in chores amidst the slow drizzle.
Romantic season
As the monsoon progresses, farmers work and prepare in vast fields. Their womenfolk wear colourful dresses against the green backdrop. It’s the time of paddy sowing. The ambience is drenched with moist air. The overcast sky is filled with flying herons. The loud croaking of frogs creates a mesmerising scenario. These elements are more than enough to sway a person. Soon, the beautiful scene starts to terrify. Pluvial floods, followed by swelling rivers and consequent flooding, cause havoc and damage to life and property.
Winter’s door knock
Gradually, the monsoon starts retreating. With this, the atmosphere gradually cools down further. Morning fog overtakes the mist, giving the atmosphere a mysterious look. The sun gradually becomes mild, and its presence is pleasant. It gives a cosy warmth. The scorching sun, which was unbearable a few days ago, became lovely and comforting. The winters are knocking at the door. The shift is natural and cyclical.
Nature’s bounties
The market is flooded with rich food items, including fresh green vegetables. Vegetables, including tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, and flowers, felt their presence everywhere. Spring onions, tomatoes, green leafy coriander, parsley, spinach, and amaranthus are tempting. Food in winter is nutritious, sumptuous and fulfilling. Days are short and nights are long. It is a good time for physical work as the low temperature causes a low rate of metabolism. The season is salubrious and pleasant except for its harshness.
Foggy days
The Gangetic plains of India experience thick fog, causing low visibility. The thick fog makes rail, road and air travel difficult, with frequent accidents on highways and expressways. Low temperatures cause health problems for older citizens and individuals with underlying health conditions. Apart from good and sumptuous food and food items, the winter season brings problems to some individuals.
Spring season
After reigning for a few months, winter says adieu and gives way to the balmy season, which is spring. Most favoured of all, it is the season which is at its peak in most aspects. The season is marked by optimal temperatures and a mildly warm sun. Clear skies extend above. There is a plethora of colourful and vibrant flowers, accompanied by hovering insects and fragrant air. It is why, in Indian tradition, this season is assigned to Kฤmdev, a demigod of romance, love and beauty. Kฤmdev is also known as Madan, hence, there was a tradition of celebrating “Madanotsava” in ancient India.
Seasons are peculiar
Every season has some peculiarities and good or not-so-good features. People like one season and dislike another. It can be summarised as follows:
- For some, summer is good for its mangoes, juicy watermelons, and muskmelons. Others enjoy raw mango syrup (ฤam Panna). Nevertheless, summer is not good for everyone. The summer season causes discomfort due to perspiration and fatigue.
- For centuries, the monsoon has been a romantic period for poets and men of letters. After scorching heat, sweltering humidity and discomfort, the monsoon brings respite. Hovering black clouds, cool easterlies and falling raindrops have long been the source of inspiration for romantic poets. Yet, pluvial deluge and large-scale loss of life and properties are the aspects that douse its romanticism.
- Cold weather, on the same token, is a favourite for some. They enjoy the cool and crisp air, dense fog, dewdrops and lots of fresh colourful vegetables. It is a good season for students, for they study a little more. The cold weather causes low metabolic activities, resulting in less fatigue, exhaustion and drowsiness.
- For a majority of people, Spring is the best season for good reasons. With optimal temperature, a large variety of food materials and a plethora of colourful flowers, it is salubrious and vivid. Without being partial, it can easily be said that Spring has an edge over every season.
In the end
Every season is a gift from nature. The seasonal timetable is meticulously made by Nature, considering every aspect. Besides breaking monotony, they amply give food for sustenance. So, leaving the debate aside, seasons should be celebrated. They are gifts to humanity. People should enjoy them because they teach that days are fleeting. Difficult phases are bound to go away.
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