India, as a nation with many different languages, ethnicities, traditions, ideologies, cultures, beliefs, religions, etc has a plethora of festivals throughout the year. It is truly land and a unit of diversity.
It is a land of fairs and festivals. India is the land that represents the blending of diversities, beliefs, and cultural celebrations we call "festivals". Holi, the celebration of hues, marks the onset of goodness, prosperity and positivity with spring every year. Holi is a festival celebrated with colours that represent the power of love and the triumph of good over evil and for many, a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships.
The saga of Holi celebration goes on for two days. On the first evening, which is called and celebrated as Holika Dahan, where rituals and offerings are performed near a bonfire to destroy the inner and outer evils residing in this world, followed with offerings of sweets and other delicacies. Holi, to some people, is the festival of love shared by Radha and Krishna – a form of love that needs no specific name, form or shape. To others, it is a story of how the good in us always emerges victorious over the evil . This is considered as an offering to the lord Narsimha. The story is based on the power of faith, inspired by the story of Prahlad. . Each Holi colour signifies a special emotion that transcends the brightly coloured faces of people to a sentiment of community, equality and oneness.
Holi means recognising that life is a very exuberant process. This is the day people are covered head to toe in all kinds of colours to symbolise that the essence of life is this exuberance .Holi is a festival of love and happiness, in which we shed animosity, greed, and hatred in order to embrace a new life of love and togetherness.It is also a festival of harmony where friends and relatives get together in the evening or visit their friends, family and neighbours and greet them with colors and sweets. People hug each other on Holi and give a new beginning by forgetting all the hatreds and sorrows.
The true charm of Holi is that age is no barrier when it comes to sharing and enjoying this special time. All in all the air is abuzz with fun and excitement. Holi is a festival of love, universal brotherhood, and goodwill among individuals and communities.
The festival of Holi finds a place not only in our real life but also in art, media and music as various songs, movies and shows mention Holi with diverse forms and references. More often than not, people embrace this occasion to wipe memories of hurt and anguish and replace them with brotherhood, kindness and enjoyment. People across the barriers of age, generations, caste and creed become a part of the celebrations in all their colors.
In recent times, the spirit of Holi has lost its charm due to the excessive use of intoxication, artificial and potentially harmful color and other irresponsible incidents. It is, thus, necessary to keep the “fun” alive but also preserve the festival for what it signifies – love, happiness and the sustenance of good over evil!
- Vaadasabha Member
Harshata Gotephode
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