 |
    
    
April's
Articles for Giftware News:
back
to articles>>
Festival of Color
It is fitting that India—famous for its colorful and dynamic
use of color that makes everyday wear extravagant, plain women
pretty and modest homes lively—also has a festival of color
which is known as Holi.
Holi celebrates—as most Hindu and otherwise festivals do—the
triumph of good over evil. Holika, a demon of the female persuasion,
was captured and burned on Puja Holi (the day before Holi and
commonly called Little Holi)—and as a consequence, women
of the villages take the opportunity to dress up in extravagant
and radiant, over-the-top colorful finery. They meet in the village
center and, with the help of the men folk, build a huge bonfire
that will be lit in the evening in the light of the full moon
(coincidentally a lunar eclipse this year) banishing evil and
freeing every one up for celebrating. On Little Holi people are
looking good—the next day, Holi, is another story.
Holi is a very carefree holiday and is especially loved by children
and young lovers. Packets of dye—bright pink, red and neon
green—are used to smear each other with color—start
at the face with a respectful dab or two, and in no time, you
are covered with color. Everyone chases each other—the pursuer
and the pursued loving the freedom implied.
In a conservative society, the chance to be close to the girl
or boy you may have your eye on is an opportunity that comes but
once a year. Holi is all about loving, hugging, teasing and forgiving—with
color as the vehicle of expression.
Little boys play mischievous tricks as they pelt water balloons
full of color from balconies and roof tops to the unsuspecting
down below. This is not a day to wear your best clothes—or
to go out without protection. If you are the least bit snooty
or proud, you will be targeted. There is color everywhere—if
you didn’t know what was going on—you would think the
city was under siege and everyone is in raggedy battle garb.
Yesterday—Little Holi—I worked at home putting my colors
together for Spring 2008. I had to smile at the piles of colorful
threads and the sound of hilarity outside of the truly color crazed.
Somehow this country has definitely rubbed off on me! I think
I’ll wipe the smear of pink off my cheek right now.
Happy Holi!
New Delhi, April Cornell |
|
|
