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The 90s decade is not just another period for many of us. It’s a place of emotion, a sentiment in and of itself. People who lived through this era went through the transition from writing letters to pour their hearts out to instantly getting on a video call to see their loved ones. They have experienced the taste of longing for their mail, hoping to get an answer, and also have felt the joy of missing someone and seeing them in a matter of seconds. Leagues of distance have seemingly disappeared. It suffices to say that in this world of globalization, we have lost many such experiences from our lives. So, this article is for those who want to take a quick jog down memory lane of the 90s.

Childhood in the 90s:

MarshmellowsFor those who grew up in the 90s decade, the children certainly had the most amazing time! Their lives were split playing inside the house or out in the neighbourhood. Sometimes, siblings played Carrom or Hide-n-Seek in the house. Or sometimes they would play the “Brick Game” in those 90s PlayStations.

Kids would bet candy as prize money. Oh, those candies! In exchange for a mere 50p or Tk 1, you would get to enjoy those delicious treats. What a wonderful time to grow up! The cotton candy seller would come by and whip up those sugary clouds of white, blue, or pink. It felt like the magic man had captured rainbow infused clouds in glass jars and gave them away. And you could take the biggest bite out of the cotton candy, and in a second it would melt away. I have never been so gluttonous about anything like I had been about cotton candy.

Ludo was an excellent way to spend time at home with family and friends. Either 4 players would play against each other or they would pair up into two teams. Ludo was a constant source of excitement in our lives. We fought and bickered over the game, and each victory felt as sweet as winning a war of conquest. For those of us who enjoyed their time in solitude, they had the world of comic books to explore and get lost in. Afternoons or evenings would be family TV time.

Romance in the 90s:

Holding handsWe have all stayed up late with our parents’ phones to have conversations with our sweethearts. Sometimes we would get caught, other times we would skate by. In that era, romance was more limited to phones and glimpses in balconies. A quick missed call or text warning us “Don’t call! Mom is nearby.”- so many of us have these stories! The yearning we felt in a stolen glance of the person while on our way to school or college is so rare to find nowadays! Spending time together on the roofs of Dhaka at twilight; having a conversation with a gaze here, a look there while flying kites – these things remind us of how complicated everything felt in a simpler time.

The only way to know how someone felt was through letters. To get one delivered by hand or by mail and getting a return would take a week or two. The raw passion we felt counting the hours till we got a response reflects the very essence of the decade.

Households in the 90s:

LampshadeAt that time, people had more of a focus on having a terrace, or a balcony, or a courtyard in their house, regardless of the size. A significant chunk of the property would be occupied by a garden of some sort. Usually, that space would be the designated area to spend time with the family. Joint families were the norm. Living under the same roof created unique and interesting memories, and in turn, strengthened our familial bond. Everyone in the house would be busy doing their own thing throughout the day. But in the late afternoon, or early evening, everyone would get together and do something as a family. Be it watching a tv program, or just hanging out together.

The concept of having private bedrooms was still a luxury in the 90s decade and most people were not comfortable with. So, every house would have at least one bedroom with multiple beds where all the kids would crash together.

The time of the 90s Decade:

ChildrenThe bygone era of the 90s was a time where things happened a little slower. People spent their time with a little more care for others around them. The internet wasn’t available everywhere, we didn’t know as much. We would find our pleasures in the small moments we would spend together. The feeling of loneliness wasn’t as widespread. People living under the same roof would have more shared experiences and communication.

Remember Manna Dey’s classic track “Coffee House”? The song spoke of spending hours talking, arguing, hanging out in the same spot. It feels like back then, even our regular day-to-day hustles were on a hiatus. We knew how to share a moment with others. Afternoon hangouts or seeing a new place across the city were regular occurrences. Cinema halls were bustling anytime a new movie came out. Afternoon leisure times were reserved for Humayun Ahmed’s books. And our family evenings were reserved for his TV dramas. These were the highlights of our week.

Inexplicably, in the Bengali consciousness, the 90s era has a special place. Compared to other decades or periods, 90s decade makes us all nostalgic. It was the transition period right before the internet exploded. So, we try to find ourselves in the lost memories. If any of these memories resonate with you, or you have your own to share, then comment here and let us know your stories.

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