Back when we were in school there used to come ads of teleshopping. Here products were advertised and the consumers were told of a “bumper” discount going on, in which each product which was originally of Rs 5000, would cost the consumer only Rs 499, provided they make a call to buy it within 15 minutes. Apart from being unique products, what used to draw many to these ads was the presentation style. There used to be such an amazing storyline to these ads. One such ad was of a locket or a charm to prevent you from Nazar or evil eye. Here a person with bad intent would look at you and with a sound effect would send blue rays from their eyes over you or your property resulting into major loss of yours. And then one would buy the nazarpattu and the blue rays would now reflect back on the same person casting the evil eye. Why I am bringing this here today is because ever since my son was born, I have heard n number of “totke” for different superstitious beliefs.
The first is different ways to prevent Nazar. When we were young, our mother would burn some papers, take a handful of mustard seeds, move her hand over our heads and pour the seeds into the small fire. If it wouldn’t smell and no one may cough then there was Nazar that has now been removed, otherwise there wasn’t any. It may be the other way round, as mostly what pleased me was the smell of the burning newspapers, and the momentary cosy feeling of the small fire on the pan.
But recently my house help told me atleast 5 different ways to prevent evil eye, that included taking a bowl of water and inverting it. If water doesn’t fall there is Nazar otherwise not! All Newtons and Einstein are fail in front of these superstitious beliefs!
Then there is one further obnoxious one. If you wash baby’s clothes do not wring out the water out of them, instead simply hang them for drying. Wringing results in stomachache in the baby!
If you are breastfeeding and the baby is not able to latch, imitate spitting three times on your breast and all will be good!
Do not show mirror to the child, because… I think I lost this one’s meaning! My bad. Or maybe my good!
Keep an iron object underneath the pillow of the baby and then they will not startle in their sleep!
The list goes on. I am spellbound! Rationality gone for a toss! No doubt we have nimbu-mirchi hanging everywhere.
ज़रा नज़रों से कह दो जी निशाना चूक न जाए
मज़ा जब है तुम्हारी हर अदा क़ातिल ही कहलाए
ज़माना है तुम्हारा, चाहे जिसकी ज़िंदगी ले लो
अगर मेरा कहा मानो तो ऐसे खेल न खेलो
तुम्हारी इस शरारत से, न जाने किसकी मौत आए
Aali Pant 