Childhood memories linger on

“The fun and frolic of our childhood days is simply amazing,” reminisced noted theatre personality Mamunur Rashid. “I believe that the children of this generation cannot even comprehend the sheer joy that we shared with one another other in the simplest of ways.”
“Going back in time, I remember how every day when I went to school, the first thing I waited was for the bell to ring, so that I could run back home,” adds a smiling Rashid. “The sense of freedom was priceless.”
“The other thing that we enjoyed was taking a plunge in the river and staying there for the rest of the day, till our eyes turned bloodshot. It was then that the scolding from elders would end the fun for that day. My heart still leaps every time I come across a river and can almost get the feel of splashing and diving in deep cool water.
"During the month of Jaishtha when juicy fruits were in abundance, it was customary for our uncles to visit us. Soon it was our turn to visit them. Our journey was mostly on bullock carts, which were in fact the easiest means of transport then. Excitement mounted on reaching our mama bari, which included mouth-watering dishes and aam-dudh(creamy milk and mango) to top it all.
“Kites were an inevitable source of pleasure for us then too. Chongo, a special longish shaped kite, was on top of my list. It is quite popular in Tangail. During my free time I would fly the kite in open pastures. There were times when the kite would break free in mid air and I would go about looking for it and often return home empty handed and heart-broken.
“But in no way did this hamper my studies. I was comparatively studious and for obvious reasons was my teachers' favourite. I have no memories of being rebuked by the teachers,” adds a nostalgic Rashid.
"Cricket was comparatively less popular than football. Nothing could beat a game of football in mud and rain. But I remember playing cricket as well, " says the noted actor-director.
"Most of the time we completely lost track of time and invariably got our share of scolding when we returned after sunset. That is how discipline was inculcated in us.
"Though I was destined to join theatre later, I remember watching very few plays and also that with my mother. I would often doze off on her lap after a few monotonous dialogues were delivered. The first theatre that I went to was Nawab Sirajuddowla. There were, however, no movie halls in the village Bolla or Paikaj and so I can't remember going to one.
“All said and done, the most memorable times were those that we enjoyed with our cousins. Each season was distinctive and we had boundless fun during the seasonal changes. At the same time, the pleasure of watching the full moon or the dark nights of amabashhya is deeply etched in my mind.