RAAS MELA

Tom-Tom maker Azahar's 66-year in Raas Mela

COOCH BEHAR : Mohammad Sheikh Azahar is now an old man of 86. He has been coming to Raas Mela since 1942. He was a young man of 20-years then. Sixty-six years have passed through the waters of Torsa but he is still attending the annual grand carnival. 

 

Azahar is a resident of Mungair in Bihar. He makes a toy named Tom-Tom. It is a red coloured cheap musical toy with two earthen wheels. Tom-Tom is a speciality of Raas Mela. The specific instrumental sound of the toy coming out from a house makes neighbours aware of their visit to the Raas Mela. Children are fond of this magic toy even in this modern age of electronics.

 

Visiting of Raas Mela turned a part and parcel of Azahar's life. He cannot think of not coming to this yearly event. Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan was the ruler of the erstwhile princely State of Cooch Behar when Azahar first came here. At that time the ruler king was 27 only.

 

Azahar can recall that the fair was then a three-day event. Later, it turned into a seven-day one and then into a ten-day affair. Presently, it runs for a fortnight.

 

Azahar buys thin plastic sheets and papers from Barobazar in Kolkata, earthen wheels and plates from Matigara in Siliguri and bamboos from Cooch Behar. These are the raw materials he needs to make the toy. During the Raas Mela he camps on the roadside in front of Nriperndra Narayan Memorial School and Victoria College (now ABN Seal College). As he turned into the wrong side of the life he now comes with his son and grandson to assist him to do the craft.

 

Raas Mela is a must-to-attend place for octogenarian Azahar. But, the advanced age is also a factor. He works unmindfully under the makeshift tent and recalls the good old days. He wants to come to Raas Mela for more years but it is unknown to him how long it can be possible for him. Surely, one day in future the grand fair may miss his presence as many other events and rituals got extinct. []