"Recreation" : A bird's-eye view

                       

This may be cliched but is true nevertheless that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Apart from relying on this old adage right away, even if we otherwise ponder over the question that is it that deep down somewhere we irresistibly crave for an escape from the mundane humdrum of life? Is it true that we often yearn for it that there should be something more in this life for all of us other than the everyday monotony? The answer to these questions in all likelihood would fetch a unanimous "Yes", I shouldn't wonder. That is from where the concept of "recreation" flows. 

It is an essential element of human biology and psychology. I do not believe in the connotation of leisure confined to merely as a spare time not being consumed by necessities of living and is only intended to aid our primary work of economic survival as well as social and physiological needs through the process of rejuvenation rather I see it as an opportunity to contemplate those aspects of life which we tend to ignore in our mechanised and predetermined daily affair. Thus, leisure and recreation are indispensable and ideally inalienable facets of human existence. 

The purpose of embedding festivals in almost all the religions may supposedly be based on the philosophy of nothing but recreation. However, rigidity in the manner of its observance by setting a benchmark again creates a repetitive pattern and thereby refuting the fundamental ethos of recreation. Besides, if we talk of modern days recreational activities there also acute commercialization along with aggressive marketing tactics have brought about a uniformity in this sector eventually ending up creating an apparent paradox in itself yet again. 

So, it has become even more crucial in the modern world to understand and interpret the word in its true sense as market forces are dominantly making its interpretation the way they find lucrative. They are shrinking its dimensions by gradually taking it away from the natural means and substituting in the place all artificial modes or ways of recreation. The cornerstone of infusion of this change is playing with our psychology. Resultantly we have altered the definition of recreation in our minds and now for us, it is necessarily and exclusively in the forms it is being portrayed nowadays, for instance, suggestion of new gaming apps on our play store, advertisement of new adventure parks opened in the city etc. 

But, believe me, the more close you are to nature the more refreshed and agile you feel, for example, sitting idle for hours on a mountain hill, spending time aimlessly on a river bank or a beach, strolling in a park breathing some fresh air etc. These may not look fancy and sound captivating on the face of it but actually are wonderful means of recreation. This conception got reiterated and re-established in my mind when I took this boat ride after quite a long time. It was soothing, serene and tranquil beyond all imaginations. The boat drifting at a particular pace with cold brisk breeze hitting the face and the body at regular intervals was filling the heart with ecstasy, delight and charm. It was in fact like a meditation which blew the cobwebs from my brain for good and the remainder left is sufficiently capable and palpable to keep me refreshed and reinvigorated for long!

©Both the text and photographs are protected works of the author Bibhuti Bhushan Mishra. They can not be published, reproduced, adapted or otherwise dealt with without the prior permission of the author.