Bevu Bella!

Ugadi is here today to be celebrated,

All our houses and temples are fully decorated!

The essence of it all is New Year and to live well,

With all the joy and happiness in us to dwell!

 

Bevu Bella or Ugadi Pachhadi is made without fail,

The symbolic dish that signifies the essence of life prevails!

Bevu means bitterness and Bella means sweetness,

Four other flavours are added for completeness!

 

Neem flowers for the bitter taste that symbolizes difficulties in life,

Salt is for the salty taste that represents fear or different interests in life!

Tamarind is for the sour taste that represents the challenges we face,

Chilli powder is for spice, symbolizing the anger that we need to erase!

 

Raw mango is for the tangy taste which represents surprises,

Jaggery is for the sweet taste symbolizing the happiness it emphasizes!

So, the dish has all six flavours starting with bitterness and ending in sweetness,

This means to face life bravely all the time with all awareness!

 

It can be joy, sorrow, challenges, surprises, anger, fear or different interests,

We need to be bold and face all our emotions well, this is all that it suggests!

Take everything in your stride and welcome it as it comes,

Treat it all equally and see how pleasant and calm our life becomes!