
The Squelch and the Mulch of Rain: Author Sumana Roy on how the sounds of the world change when it rains
Published on: Sept. 7, 2025, 5:30 a.m. | Source: The Indian Express
This evocative essay explores the monsoon's profound effect on a small town at the foothills of the Himalayas. Through the lens of Bengali poetry, the author describes how incessant rain transforms the world—making walls swell, sounds amplify, and landscapes merge with clouds. The piece delves into the sensory experience of rain, from the sonic opposite of thunder's roar to the silent sound of tears. The author reflects on the nature of water, comparing how living things—from leaves to humans—retain or release it, and muses on the intimate relationship between rain, memory, and the landscape of the human face.