India rains: A magical monsoon memory from Kerala

Love rains? You probably do if you live in the UAE — where they’re a rare treat due to the arid climate. Ask anyone from India, and the answer won’t be different — even though the country gets plenty of rain every year.

Rains are integral to life in India, and I absolutely loved every time it rained in Kerala. Growing up in the southern state, fierce monsoon showers would welcome me as I trudged to school after the summer holidays. A new academic year in June meant new books and fresh uniforms. But the rain didn’t care — it just poured, incessantly.

I remember reaching home in squelchy shoes, dripping clothes, and damp books. The books and shoes would be dried atop brick ovens, ready for another wet walk to school the next day. The routine continued throughout the season.

The monsoon may be in full swing, but life doesn’t stop. People go about their days as usual — some with umbrellas, some without. Some wait for a break in the rain while the young move around as if it’s bright and sunny. Nobody complains about getting drenched. It’s all part of life during the monsoon.

There’s a romance to the rains in Kerala. I can vividly recall the moments before a downpour, especially the first rain of the season. The first sign comes from the coconut trees, which start swaying in the wind. The leaves of mango and jackfruit trees flutter furiously as the breeze picks up.

Soon, the sun disappears behind heavy clouds, and the scent of fresh earth rises as the first drops hit the ground. As you breathe in, big fat drops of rain — dollops, really — strike rooftops with the sound of falling stones. There’s a distinct rhythm to it, almost like a drummer on the roof.

Sometimes, the rain arrives more slowly. It begins with a gentle pitter-patter, then gradually gains strength. The rhythm and tone are different — like faint beats that build to a crescendo before tapering off. Just when it seems to stop, the drizzle returns, quickly turning into a full-blown shower.

As the rain lashes trees and plants, tiny streams form and run through the yard, gurgling down gutters and disappearing into a neighbourhood pond or stream. Some days, thunder and lightning add drama to the show. It’s eerie. Scary too. When lightning flashes, I cringe and wait for the rolling thunder. Sometimes, it goes off like a cannon shot.

That was the rain of my childhood — full of life and energy. Even now, whenever I’m home on vacation, I can never get enough of the rain. You’ll find me in the yard, watching in awe and filming it.

Times have changed. The climate too. With rain now comes anxiety — especially after the devastating floods of 2018, which claimed more than 400 lives in Kerala. Last year’s Wayanad landslide is still a painful memory. Thankfully, the monsoon this year has been relatively kind.

Even after all these years, the allure of rain remains undiminished. A walk in the rain still feels therapeutic — almost like it washes away the stress and strain of daily life. I wish I were in Kerala now, just to catch the raindrops.