O holi aayi, holi aayi, dekho holi aayi re, khelo khelo rang re…
It is that time of the year when nature casts off winter’s gloom. The Gulmohar and Mango trees begin to flower in glorious colours – red, pink, orange, golden yellow and green.
When the warmth of the bright sun filters though winter’s cold, it is also time for the festival of joy, fun and buoyancy- Holi.
Holi is the most colourful of all festivals celebrated in India; it also celebrates new life and the beginning of spring.
Holi falls on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar, which is the month of March in the Gregorian calendar.
Aang se ang lagana sajan humen aise rang lagana…
Holi finds its reference in centuries-old scriptures. It was then called Vasantotsav (festival of Spring). The great poet Mahakavi Kalidas called it Madanotsav (festival of the love god)
There are many legends associated with the festival of Holi. The most common one is the story of Prahlad and Holika. A mighty egoistic king, Hiranyakashyapu by name, ordered his subjects to worship him as god. His son Prahlad, defying his father’s orders, continued to worship Lord Vishnu.
The king, in order to wipe out the very name of Vishnu, sent his sister Holika to destroy Prahlad. Holika possessed the boon of never being burnt by fire.
But when Holika entered a pyre along with Prahlad, the flames consumed her and young Prahlad, who was sitting on her lap, walked out of the fire alive, unscathed. Perhaps the festival got its name from this legend.
To mark this day, effigies of Holika are burnt in parts of Northern and Western India.
Aao re aao khelen holi biraj me khelen holi nandlal…
Though Holi is typically a north Indian festival, it is celebrated in many other parts of India. In north India, the festival is associated with Lord Krishna and Radha.
In Mathura and Vrindavan, Holi is observed for many days and is celebrated with music, plays and dance with coloured water sprinkled at each other. Men and women participate in various games.
In Maharashtra, it is called Shimga and ‘Dhulwad’ or ‘Rangpanchami’, while in Bengal, it is called Dol Jatraor Dol Purnima.
Down south it is called Kamavilas or Kama-dahanam and is associated with Kamdev – the god of love. In Punjab, it is celebrated as Hola Mohalla.
Seen in the picture is a cultural pageant presented at the Republic Day parade depicting the Brij Holi.
Holi ke din dil khil jaate hain, rangon mein rang mil jaate hain…
Holi is a great leveller. It is a festival that transcends all divides. On this day, the distinctions of caste, class, age, and gender blur.
People come together and celebrate in a riot of colour.
How you look does not matter, as everything eventually gets coloured.
From politicians to film stars, from daily wagers to white-collared executives, everybody enjoys the colours of Holi.
No wonder, some of the most colourful and mischievous songs in Hindi films are based on this festival.
Mal de gulal mohe, mal de gulal mohe, ke aayi holi aayi re…
This is that time of the year when people don’t mind mischief. So, how does one gear up for the festival?
The basic ingredients include powdered paint or gulal and coloured water filled in pichkaris.
Gulal and abheer (small crystals of mica) in bright colours are thrown or smeared on each other. Pichkaris or water pistols are used to spray water on each other.
The adventurous ones burst balloons filled with coloured water.
These days, however, the gulal is mixed with harmful chemicals, causing harm to people. So, it is wise to stay away from it. In some states, water balloons, too, are banned.
Rang barse bheege chunar waali rang barse…
Apart from the colours, Holi is also the time for some great grub.
Bhang or Thandai (crushed opium leaves mixed with milk or sweets) is offered to guests on this day. Various types of cold beverages and sherbets are also served along with the sweets.
If in Bengal it’s Motth, Futkarai and Malpoa, up north it is Gujjiyas, Kanje ke bari and sugar Batashas. In Maharashtra, Puran poli is served.
It’s Holi and it’s time for fun and humour. It is the time to paint the world in a riot of colours. So, just go out and celebrate. Paint the town… in whatever colour you like!
Courtesy: Rediff
Photograph: Arko Datta/AFP/Getty Images
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