The southwest monsoon is a magical phenomenon, arriving almost surreptitiously, often just before daybreak, drenching the scorched earth and the dry foliage in one broad sweep. The earth receives the first rain with an almost audible sigh.

The signs of the monsoon’s landfall on the Kerala coast begin to appear as May draws to a close. Big, dark clouds move indolently on the western horizon but without the accompaniment of thunder and lightning as it happens during the northeast monsoon. All is quiet for a while. Then, the winds begin to blow landward, and intimations of rain come in the form of a few scattered drops. As the night falls, there is a mild chill in the air, indicating a drizzle somewhere. And, when the day breaks, it is a rain-washed world into which Keralites wake up.

Even as it brings relief from the heat, the monsoon does not bring glad tidings to children as schools reopen with its arrival. There is the play of light and shadows on the beach as the summer sun gets veiled by the rain clouds.

The waves gain in ferocity as the monsoon winds begin to blow. The fishermen must work their heart out for a living, whether in the sea or the backwaters.

Away from the seashore and the backwaters, the clouds cover the hills, farmers get busy protecting their farms and travellers get ready for the windy wet nights out. As the whole world seems to dance to the monsoon raga, children have a whale of a time playing in the rain.

And, as night falls, the flying ants rise up from the earth for their brief celebration of life. The monsoon is here.

(Text by C. Gouridasan Nair)