NEW YEAR EVE CELEBRATIONS IN SKATING RINK KGF - "Auld Lang Syne"

 HAPPY  NEW YEAR 2013

Memories of  New Year’s Eve in KGF (An excerpt from KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE)

The 31^st of December was another occasion to celebrate in KGF. A huge New Year Eve Ball was always held in the Skating Rink to bring in the New Year. Just like the Christmas Shows local Anglo-Indian Bands or bands from Madras or Bangalore were engaged to play for it. People from Madras, Jolarpet, Bangalore and Mysore flocked to KGF for the New year dance. It was always a time of great fun and merriment and the music kept the folk dancing till their knees and back hurt!

A huge bonfire was lit outside the Skating Rink. At midnight an effigy of an old man representing the old year was thrown into the bonfire at midnight and firecrackers were lit to signal the start of the New Year and fresh beginnings!!

And then the band would play the old haunting song "Auld Lang Syne"

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish  poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions. The international Boy Scout youth movement, in many countries, uses it as a close to jamborees and other functions. The song's Scots title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago” / days gone by" or "old times". Consequently "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for (the sake of) old times".

So for all those who have forgotten "Auld Lang Syne” here are the words.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For times gone by.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since times gone by.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale)
For times gone by!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For times gone by!

 HAPPY  NEW YEAR 2013

OUR HOUSE IN NANDYDROOG MINE KGF AND EBRAHIM'S SHOP

This is a picture of our old house in Nandydroog Mine where we lived for more than 25 years. My grand parents lived in the same house for more than 55 years before us. Our house was just opposite the Skating Rink and Nandydroog Club. The house had a beautiful Tiled Roof and a beautiful garden lovingly attended to by my mum and our Malis Ellappa and Muniappa. The beautiful hedge and gardens are no more and just live in our memories. However, the Peepel tree planted by my mum is still standing tall. Unfortunately, the 2 Jack Fruit trees and all the fruit trees are no more. My dad retired from the mines in 1977 and we shifted to Robertsonpet. We left this house with heavy hearts but took with us many beautiful memories.

Adjoining our house were 4 shops - Pansy Tailor's Shop which later became Gopal Tailor's Shop, Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop, a small Eatery or Hotel which had some amazing short eats such as bondas, bajjis, puffs, etc and an a sweet called kajur. The last shop was Ebrahim's or Abhram's Shop. Our childhood revolved around these 4 shops. Sad to see their present condition.

Below is a picture of Pansy Tailor's Shop at the far left with its Trellis still intact but with lots of tiles missing from its roof. Pansy tailor passed on the shop to his assistant Gopal so it later came to known as Gopal Taylor Shop.

Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop is in the middle and is now closed.Basha and his wife have since passed away. His sons Afzal and Amjath live in Bangalore. The tiles are missing from the roof.

The Hotel or Eatery is still there but has changed many managements over the years. They still blast tamil film songs on their old radio. The Bondas, Vadas, Kajurus are still as tasty as they were in our childhood.

Abraham or Ebrahim's shop is at the far right and is still in business.  His shop was full of tasty treats for us when we were kids. Especially remember the pottu kadla, Fried peas, Jignut toffee and kamarkuts.

Ibrahim is now a grand old man of 85 years but still going strong. God bless him.

Golconda Shaft, Balaghat

A distant view of the Golconda Shaft in Balaghat

THE SKATING RINK, NANDYDROOG MINE, KGF

This is a picture of the Skating Rink in its present dilapidated state.
The Skating Rink which could be called the only auditorium in KGF at that time, was the most popular venue for Wedding receptions, Parties, get-togethers, Concerts, Musical Recitals, Meetings, Dances etc. The Cement floor was highly polished and very smooth and was initially used during the times of the British for Roller skating and ice skating and also for Ball Room Dances.

The building itself was not much to talk about, with corrugated iron sheets for its walls and roof and a false ceiling of Tatty Cane inside. It was more like a huge Shed that one sees in old Country and Western Movies and didn’t resemble an auditorium all. However this ‘Hall’ was close to everyone KGFites's heart and was iconic in its stature.

The Skating Rink was a land mark for the people of KGF. The Christmas Dances, May Queen Balls, Easter Balls, June Rose Balls, The Anglo-Indian Association AGM Ball, New Years Eve Ball, Wedding Receptions, Social and Religious functions, Conferences, etc, were all held at the Skating Rink. Its very sad to see it in its present neglected and rundown state.