HOLI HAI !!

Rang, color, HOLI is here.

Hailing from the country that recognizes itself with different colors, it is nothing but a walk down the memory lane when it comes to discussing Holi.

Coming from a Bengali family and the land of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, holi is incomplete without the familiar songs - Aaji Dakhin-Duar Khola, Ore Bhai Phagun Legechhe, Rangiye Diye Jao, and the list continues. Basant Utsav - 'celebration of spring' is organized by the boys and girls at Shantiniketan. The cultural fest is filled with songs, music and dance which attracts thousands of people year after year to enjoy the festival of color.

Be it the kid who keeps throwing the ball at your window, or the old aunty who scolds you every time for playing high volume music, all forget their grudges and come together during this time of the year. With a packet of sweets, knocking at the doors of neighbors, coloring their face with abeer (powder), and taking the blessings of the elders is the tradition being followed in our household.

Every holi eve is packed with the known list of work which includes buying the dry colors and the balloons, filling them with plain and colored water, and searching for the most worn out pair of clothing to put on the next day. Morning of the big day begins with applying oil on hair and all over the body to protect oneself from the harsh chemicals. The ground is undoubtedly filled with people who have started playing with colors in full swing. And before you know it, someone or the other is there to paint your face and shout the famous quote “HOLI HAI!!!” The next thing you know - it’s over three hours that you have been engrossed in playing holi. With liquid colors, dry colors, water balloon attacks, water guns, the whole atmosphere is charged with such high level of energy, that it automatically spreads joy and happiness and celebrates the oncoming of spring.

Growing up in a household that is so devoted, no holi has passed by without the offering of color to our Gods and Goddess as a mark of respect. After the whole playing session is over, and the battle to come out clean from the shower cabin has ended, puja starts by offering Abeer (powder) to Lord Krishna along with Radha.

The streets depict the spirit with which holi was played. Filled with blue, green, red, purple and innumerous colors, the lanes are no longer recognizable. The evenings are awfully silent and everyone is on their rest mood. The late evening gala includes music, song and dance performed by the kids of our complex. They all dress up in yellow sari with flower on their hands and heads. Grooving to the rhythm of rabindra sangeet, the day ends and one more holi passes by, making its way for us to welcome a year that is filled with joy and cheerfulness, color and mirth.

“I’m pledging to #KhulKeKheloHoli this year by sharing my Holi memories at BlogAdda in association with Parachute Advansed.”