By Rashmi Bora Das
Special to CSMS Magazine
The sun seemed to be hiding beneath the clouds, keeping the morning unusually dark. The rain had fallen continuously the day before and all through the night. I had to rely on the clock to realize it was already morning.
I thought it would be a great idea to get out of bed and make proper use of the time. Yet instead of jumping into the day’s work, I found myself caught in some easy conversation with my husband, who was also now wide awake.
Popping Up a Question
“Why was 6 AM such an iconic time when we were growing up?” I asked. Without hesitation, my husband replied, “I think a big part of it had to do with All India Radio.”
That was a smart response! For those of my generation, growing up in India in the late sixties or earlier decades, the signature tune of All India Radio (AIR) was unforgettable. It played for five minutes, from 5:55 AM to the start of the morning program at 6:00 AM. In many households, it was a ritual for someone—often an elder—to turn on the radio, letting that beautiful melody fill the air, signaling the start of a new day.
Years later, I discovered interesting details about this iconic tune. It was based on Shivaranjini, a musical scale in Indian classical music, and composed by Walter Kaufman, a Jewish refugee who fled Nazi persecution and found a safe haven in India. Kaufman worked as the director of music for All India Radio for several years, leaving a lasting cultural imprint.
Early Rising Was the Norm
The numbers “6:00” on the digital clock took me back to those days, when mornings were a hive of activity. In those times, parents insisted on early rising—something that today’s Generation Z might find hard to relate to.
Living in Assam, tucked away in the northeastern part of India, we were accustomed to early mornings. The sun often rose before 6 AM, flooding the city with golden light. Waking up early wasn’t considered unusual. By then, the day was in full swing. Parents would often tell stories about people who woke up at 4 AM and achieved great success in life. Whether those stories were true or not, they served as powerful motivators for children.
School days, of course, offered no respite. Even during holidays, mornings still carried a sense of order. My mother had a trick for getting me up early: she’d move the clock ahead by an hour. I’d always fall for it, sitting up with a start, only to realize I’d been fooled again.
News and Views Over a Cuppa
The morning newspaper was a key part of our routine, perfectly complementing a hot cup of tea or coffee. The delivery boy would ride from house to house on his bicycle, tossing the paper onto porches. On chilly mornings, you could sometimes feel the warmth still trapped in the pages, fresh from the printing press.
My father was always the first to grab the newspaper. He would read it from cover to cover, sometimes reading aloud the headlines for the rest of us, giving a brief overview of what was happening in the world. He continued this habit for the rest of his life, reinforcing the importance of staying informed.
Waiting for the Milkman
The idea of buying milk from the supermarket didn’t exist in those days. Every morning, fresh milk was delivered right to our doorstep, and boiling it was a key task. Timeliness was essential. In some cities, people would pick up their milk from local booths, but at our house, we always waited for the milkman to arrive.
The Race to the Bathroom
Morning showers were mandatory, serving as a way to shake off sleep and prepare for the day. But if you shared a bathroom, as we did, it often led to a silent competition: who could get in first? If one person spent too long in there, others would start banging on the door, impatiently waiting their turn. The rhythm of the morning didn’t allow for much time-wasting, so everyone had to be quick and efficient.
The Morning Rush
In essence, mornings were defined by their rush. Children got ready for school, adults prepared to leave for work, breakfast was served, and lunch was packed. The energy of the morning set the tone for the day ahead, much like the opening act of a play, full of anticipation and activity.
Now, in my mid-fifties, it’s a unique feeling to reflect on those mornings that seem so distant. As nostalgia tugs at my heartstrings, I can’t help but think of myself as one of the actors in that bustling morning routine. Those moments, filled with life’s simple rhythms, feel precious in hindsight.
Oh, those were the days!
Also, see: Spring And The Poetic Mind
Note: Rashmi Bora Das is a freelance writer settled in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. She is the author of From Life’s Cove: Laughs, Musings, & More. You may visit her at www.rashmiwrites.com)
