I joke that I’m the good twin of the White Witch from Narnia- always making it winter. I’d give them Christmas though.
I’ve always loved winter and the snow. Of course, back home in Bombay, winter just meant not needing the fan. You could still step out in about 20 degrees, with shorts and a t shirt. Snow only existed in fairy tales and movies, which kept the fascination intact.
The first time I saw snow in person was on a family trip to Shimla. We went to Rohtang Pass, rented coats and boots there, and spent the next hour or so giddy with joy. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see a snowfall on that trip.
The first time I saw snow falling was on November 10, 2016 in Pardubice. I don’t remember what I was doing, but I suddenly noticed it was snowing outside. I opened the window and felt it on my hands. Then quickly dressed, and stepped out to walk around a bit. It was only a soft, powdery shower, but it was sooo beautiful. Even after Czechs teased me about it (as I sent enthusiastic messages stating the obvious, "Omg, it's snowing!") and told me that that kinda snowfall is fondly called "white shit". I would see a few heavy snowfalls through the years, and I still find them all rather charming despite the lovely nicknames people here bestow.
The beauty and comfort of winters and snow has only grown for me… despite all the complaints from the locals. Usually, starting November until the end of February would be the most unpleasant time for small talk as people relentlessly whine about the cold. Yes, I don’t need to shovel driveways, change tyres, or de-ice the car. But yes, I also feel the drop in energy, and have some low days thanks to the sunless gloomy afternoons. I find it helpful to make some changes in my daily diet and exercise in these weeks.
I still find it beautiful and love it despite all the cons. Why must something beautiful not have its problems?. The coziness of being wrapped up in a sweater with a hot coffee alone triumphs all the issues with winter. Beauty is sometimes sad also. It’s the time to slow down as everything seems calmer. Winter allows us to just be… for a while. And when it snows, it’s like a balm (one of those tingly ones) that soothes over everything. Rest, then renew.
It’s the same for me with Mumbai rains- they’re gorgeous! And they’re gorgeous despite the muck, getting splashed in traffic, and having trouble finding a rickshaw. The blooming scent of the earth when the first drops hit, the soothing pitter-patter, the way everything cools down and how fresh the air smells right after far outweighs the issues. Oh, and eating hot crispy bhajiyas while it’s raining outside is one of the biggest joys in life.
But of course, my perception of winter has also deepened after experiencing freezing temperatures. About a decade ago, I read Robert Galbraith’s The Cuckoo’s Calling. In the book, an essential point in the case is that a woman was out on the balcony in her night gown while it was freezing-
Strike went on, “You and your wife had a row while she was undressing for bed... So you decided an appropriate punishment would be to shut her outside on the sub-zero balcony.”
Excerpt From: Robert Galbraith. “The Cuckoo's Calling”.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But of course, I didn’t know what it was to be out in the cold and not have a warm enough coat- leave alone to be barely clothed. Now I know what it is to forget your gloves or an extra sweater while it’s freezing. Your teeth begin to chatter and you lose feeling in your hands and feet as you're covered in goosebumps. Stepping indoors from shivering your bones off outside is an utmost comfort.
So recently, when I watched Qala and a character is locked out in the freezing cold as punishment, it wasn’t just harsh- it was horrifying. The significance of that punishment hit hard, and I don’t think it would’ve hit this hard a few years ago. For those who live in hot climates, think of being out in the sun for hours with no shade and no water. It's torture.
My whole life, the cold was something meant to be enjoyed. Somewhere in the last few years, a condition was added- the cold is meant to be enjoyed under the right conditions.
Where did these ideas about the winter and snow come from? I’ve identified two sources, though there might be more.
The first is fairy tales. I’m unable to pin point specific stories, but western fairy tales in early childhood are closely connected to winter in my mind. They evoke images of splendid castles on top of snowclad mountains, rosy-cheeked children sleeping peacefully tucked in cozy quilts, and princes and princesses wearing elegant gloves and cloaks. In my imagination, Cinderella’s ball always took place in the winter. I’m convinced that my romanticization of winter began from these stories.
The second source of romanticization is Bollywood. This may come as a surprise to Europeans, but Bollywood movies really romanticize the snow. To an Indian, snow in movies immediately signals love songs. Dancing around trees in chiffon sarees, frolicking in the snow with glee, and cuddling up by the window. Love songs pictured in the snow are joyful and calm, while those pictured in the rains can be more passionate.
I suppose that romanticizing what we don’t experience commonly is universal. Indians like me who grew up in a hot city crave the cold while my Czech friends who grew up with the four seasons really love the summer. We also tend to exaggerate the opposite effect- Indians often turn up the AC in summer while Czechs crank up the heat in winter.
The cultural associations via language are also interesting to observe as they provide two opposing views. In Indian languages, cold and feeling cool has positive connotations. The opposite is true for English (I use English as an example as it’s the only western language I know. I’m sure similar connotations are found in other European languages too).
A doha by Kabir goes,
ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोये। औरन को शीतल करे, आपहुं शीतल होए।।
Loosely translated, it means, “Speak such words that the mind’s ego is lost, It cools others and you also remain cold.” It’s difficult to translate this because the English significations of cold immediately change the meaning. Here, being cool or cold means a state of composure, calm, and pleasant feelings.
Bollywood songs are also full of such connotations, for example-
तू ही तो जन्नत मेरी, तू ही मेरा जुनूँ तू ही तो मन्नत मेरी, तू ही रूह का सुकूँ
तू ही अखियों की ठंडक, तू ही दिल की है दस्तक
From Tujh Me Rab Dikhta Hai, it means, “You are my heaven, you are my passion, you are my wish, you are my joy, you are the cool feeling of my eyes, you are the call of my heart”. On translating, it seems to immediately lose meaning and beauty as the eyes feeling cool mean may not mean anything figuratively. But in the song, it signifies a special someone who makes you feel happy on seeing them- that the eyes are refreshed and rested upon the sight of this person. Think of the after-effects of placing cucumber slices on your eyelids in a spa treatment, and transfer the same feeling of relief at seeing someone you love.
In our day to day speech too, we have many phrases connected to feeling cold or cool, such as thande dimaag se sochna- thinking with a cool brain- means to think calmly and logically, dil/munn ko thandak milna- to feel “cool” in the mind/heart is a pleasant sensation, and thandi aahe bharna- to take cool breaths is relieving.
In the English language, feeling cold or behaving coldly has negative connotations. Giving someone the cold shoulder means to ignore them. Being left out in the cold is being lonely and unsupported. Usually, references to cold show heartbreak or sadness in songs. Also, something is “chilling” or a “chill runs down the spine” when we get some intensely frightening news. People or behaviours are often described as cold and they can range from meaning unemotional to brutal.
Interestingly enough, I can think of just one overlap with the terms “cold feet” and “haath pare thande padna” (hands and feet going cold). Both signify doubt or fear holding one back from taking action. I suppose in both languages, the association might have originated from the physical sensation we can all observe in such situations.
So where do I stand?
I can easily jump terms depending on which language I’m using. However, I still find that when it comes to experiencing cold, I prefer it over experiencing heat. If I’m cold, I can easily put on another sweater and get cozy with a hot chocolate. Dealing with the heat in an eco-friendly way a lot more difficult for me as the AC just needs to be turned on.
Ideally, I want my Narnia to be super cold with lots of sunlight through the day. A girl can dream, right? There doesn't seem to be much romance left in the world, so I'm happy to keep my romantic notions about winter and snow alive for as long as I can. In fact, I hope that the beauty I see only grows in years to come as I have more experiences connected to snow, such as skiing.
Anyway, it’s actually starting to snow outside and I feel like walking to my favourite café, and think of how else I would rule over my magic kingdom.
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