It would not be an exaggeration if one says that FUN is the other
name of this festival of colours called Holi. For, the very motive of
celebrating the festival is to have fun. There are no prayers for this day
and no sermons are said. The only norm that is followed is,
"follow
no norms and have as much fun as you want".
The festival is celebrated at a time when the people are generally feeling
laid back and lazy as the weather is neither too hot and nor too cold. This
makes it an
appropriate time to have a little fun and frolic. Holi
gives them a chance to do so and people make the best out of this
opportunity.
It is so much fun to watch people as they forget their real self and play
pranks and practical jokes on each other. Treacherously and even forcefully
leading each other in a pool of coloured water and at times of mud. So many
Hindi films have exploited this comic theme to evoke laughter.
To add to the spirit of the festival is the tradition of consuming the
intoxicating
bhang. It is generally taken with thandai - a milk
beverage or in the form of pakoras. It is so hilarious to watch people as
they let their hair down and immerse themselves in the spirit of festival.
Making strange faces, dance in an unknown fashion and sing as if they have a
loudspeaker attached to their mouth.
Holi reveals the wackiest best of the people. For a day people just forget
themselves and simply have fun - all responsibilities are owed to the spirit
of the festival. And, if anybody stares or give strange expressions, the
answer is ready too.
"Bura na mano Holi hai", is the
refrain that is on everybody's lips.
The festival gives social sanction to people to have fun and does not
recognizes any restrictions. Free mixing of boys and girls is allowed on the
day even by the most conservative societies and young boys and girls have
their share of fun.
In some states there are strange customs like women beating men, b
habhis
beating devars, daughter-in-law teasing her husbands parents and of
course the tradition of breaking pot of buttermilk hung high on the streets
for Holi. All these traditions and customs add to the overall spirit of the
festival.
Movie songs, dance on the beat of dholak and lip smacking Holi delicacies
complete the picture of this FUN FESTIVAL.
