Dedicated to those who grew up in the vastly tech free world of 70s & 80s, and more importantly, dedicated to those from the earlier generation, for whom community living mattered more than privacy.
"Khidkiyaan" - windows existed then as they do now. Only their size and structures have changed. But more importantly their permeability has undergone a sea change.
Back in the tech free era, the windows used to be dimutive in size but would open out to a whole world of freedom fresh air and social bonding. They would have hardly two panes opening outwardly but would bond a family with its entire neighbourhood. What cooks within was for all those outside to sniff upon. Be it a rustic Aaloo Paalak made on a cold winter night or a frugal daal chaawal during hot summers or a fragrant biryani during Ramzan. People within were never bothered about their voices being heard outside and a curious neighbor would never hesitate to ask - "Kal jhagda ho raha tha Kya?" Or "Aaj kuch special pak raha hain kya?" In both cases curiosity of the neighbor was not considered as an intrusion into a private space and the neighbor would end up mediating between two warring couples or relishing on some delectable fare dished out from the kitchen. Privacy was an alien concept and sense of community living reigned supreme.
Now the two paned windows that used to be built at a height of about 3 feet from the floor only to end up another 3 feet from the roof, has given way to wall to wall and floor to ceiling panaromic windows through which, in many cases one could see not only the entire neighbourhood but also a big part of city itself. But strangely they have become less pervious, allowing almost nothing to pass through. These open to sky windows open up to acres and acres of privacy, but end up being inhabited by people who keep searching for social bonding on a tiny 6" screen. Mighty price to pay for privacy.
"Khidkiyaan" - windows existed then as they do now. Only their size and structures have changed. But more importantly their permeability has undergone a sea change.
Back in the tech free era, the windows used to be dimutive in size but would open out to a whole world of freedom fresh air and social bonding. They would have hardly two panes opening outwardly but would bond a family with its entire neighbourhood. What cooks within was for all those outside to sniff upon. Be it a rustic Aaloo Paalak made on a cold winter night or a frugal daal chaawal during hot summers or a fragrant biryani during Ramzan. People within were never bothered about their voices being heard outside and a curious neighbor would never hesitate to ask - "Kal jhagda ho raha tha Kya?" Or "Aaj kuch special pak raha hain kya?" In both cases curiosity of the neighbor was not considered as an intrusion into a private space and the neighbor would end up mediating between two warring couples or relishing on some delectable fare dished out from the kitchen. Privacy was an alien concept and sense of community living reigned supreme.
Now the two paned windows that used to be built at a height of about 3 feet from the floor only to end up another 3 feet from the roof, has given way to wall to wall and floor to ceiling panaromic windows through which, in many cases one could see not only the entire neighbourhood but also a big part of city itself. But strangely they have become less pervious, allowing almost nothing to pass through. These open to sky windows open up to acres and acres of privacy, but end up being inhabited by people who keep searching for social bonding on a tiny 6" screen. Mighty price to pay for privacy.
