By Sanjeev Shekhar
Ranchi-
In smaller cities, men are busy with their official assignments. But, what about women? Even they want to socialize and entertain themselves particularly in a place like Ranchi where means of amusement is limited. Kitty parties are essentially a good time pass and the best mode to interact with each other.
“It’s a platform for us to play games, involve in gossips and even exhibit the best clothes or jewellery,” stated Nisha, the member of the Harmu Housing Colony kitty here. In fact, there is a growing trend of kitty parties in this city for reasons galore. A random survey of the different colonies revealed that nearly 60 percent of them are having kitty group, wherein the women are even going out to have things in their own way.
One thing that was common everywhere that the women here generally prefer to enjoy kitty in the noon or afternoon, as they want to ensure that they are home before their hubbies make it from office.
Not only housewives, but working women too keenly join in on lovely afternoons for delicious snacks and lunch. Earlier, kitty parties used to be in-house affair, but nowadays ladies have started enjoying the freedom of not cooking at least once or twice a month.
“It’s a good outing and this way we get a chance to visit different restaurants in town and explore more and more food, places and people. Those women who hardly get a chance to move out of their homes enjoy kitties the most," says Ms Gunjan, an avid kitty member.
Kitty parties are something that makes men frown, as they see it a total wastage of time and energy. For women it’s a best time to drape in the nicest clothes that are locked in the cupboard for months together, devour delicious snacks, have a chit fund that fetch a handsome sum running in several thousands and even in lakhs depending on the amount contributed by each member once a year and go home.
Preparations for kitty are done beforehand. As Ms Anita Shekhar of Rashmirathi Ladies Club Kitty pointed out that, they announce theme and even organize games during their party. These games are interesting like blow the candle in a single minute, fill the bucket with water with the help of sponge, or open the locks etc. “The games are real fun and the teams playing it are fully engrossed to an extent that they forget to see their watch,” said Mrs Y.N.Singh, the chief coordinator of the kitty on Kanke Road.
To keep the kitty party well-organised, the ladies have rules. For example, any member who reaches late than the decided time, must cough-up Rs 10-25 as fine. Also, the menu for lunch is pre-determined. “It might sound strange, but rules are important, even at a kitty party. If we don’t maintain discipline, people will just walk in at their own sweet time & will. That defeats the whole purpose,” says Ms Shikha, a member.
Another young member, Namita says, "At least now, we can have a life that we can call our own apart from family". She describes her kitty group as one where there is "lots of eating and lots of chatting". The chatting is light-hearted, with no heavy duty stuff. " It could be anything else... shopping, movies or recipes, but there's generally no serious talk," she adds.
At times a dress code is decided by the lady who organizes the kitty party and all members have to dress up and join the party. "Women from different backgrounds and age groups who meet every month for their kitty party learn so much from each other regarding socializing, etiquettes, culture etc," said Mrs Anita Mishra.
Sanjeev Shekhar
PR/Media Consultant/Journalist
