Holi Getting Decent

Parmeshwar Devkota

We are celebrating the Holi festival today. It is the festival of colours marked with mutual sharing of joys and feelings among the revellers. It is the youths who mostly celebrate the holi. There are many festivals meant for certain age groups and genders. For example, Tihar is meant for strengthening bond between brothers and sisters. Hari-Talika Teej is another festival which is celebrated by women who worship Lord Shiva for the longevity of life and betterment of their husbands, children and family. In Maghi Sankranti, the people from all age groups and family enjoy varieties of delicious food at home. 

Similarly, the Holi festival is very popular among the youths though the people from all age groups delight in. It begins with the worship of the king of seasons Basanta and his friend Madana. Madana is popularly known as Kamadeva, the iconic God of love.

The Holi festival has a long history. Also called Fagu, it fosters harmony and unity. According to Pandit Narayan Prasad Paudel, it signifies the advent of spring season which is the season of germination and new life. One can see changes in flora and fauna in this season. 

Perennial plants change their leaves, and grasses strive to give new shoots which signifies the spread of hope and renewal among us. 

In Kathmandu Valley, the Holi festival begins with the erection of a multi-coloured pillar, Cheer, at the Hanumandhoka Durbar square on Asthami, eighth day of full moon, and celebrated for eight consecutive days. In those eight days, various types of worships are performed and one can smear colours on celebrants' face with permission as it was done in the past. 

Though there is no change in official calendar, the youths of today have not only shortened the festival period to two days, but they are also marking it with more cultured and refined manner. 

Girls and boys of various castes, creeds and colours gather in public places, on their rooftops, in neighbourhood squares and streets carrying blue, yellow, green, violet colours, and smear each other's faces by chanting ‘Happy Holi.’ People of all ages - old and young – are seen taking part in the festival. 

Foreign nationals also join the crowd of locals in different parts of country, including Kathmandu and Pokhara. They dance and sing with enthusiasm.

The Holi festival is becoming popular and civilised. If one recall the Holi of the past, it used to be full of anarchy. Unruly youths would throw colours and waters onto the unsuspecting passers-by. In those days, unwilling pedestrians, commuters and onlookers used to become the victims of riotous groups. 

Rowdy boys of neighbourhoods used to prevail in this festival targeting girls, women and children, stopping children from going to schools and colleges in those eight days. It is observed on the full-moon day in the hilly and mountainous regions and the following day in the Terai region. The youths deserve kudos for reforming the festival.