Happy Holi - Day!!!

This feeling begins from my office desk where its all quiet and buzzing with work and echoing with loud conference calls. What I do then? I open Google and try to search a wallpaper which will brighten any worked up soul around. I search typing apt words simply stating - Happy Holi...and I am so happy by just watching it appear on my desktop. I am the only one even recognizing it in my office and I am not amused. As you might have already figured out, its not a holiday, this being a national festival.

The last time I played Holi was 4 years back when I was doing my MBA in Bangalore. That was the roughest, toughest, rowdiest and the most colorful Holi I had ever played. But the most fun and the light hearted of all was when I was in Delhi where I was pursuing my schooling in 1991 - 92 and from 1997 - 2001. The true spirit of the festival was at its best when I was in Delhi and I am proud to say that I had been there and celebrated it along with like minded souls. Most looked at me at that time as a South Indian celebrating Holi...according to me, I was an Indian from South celebrating a national festival. Symbolically this festival negates any drawn boundary and wipes out any given enemity from face of this earth.

Surprisingly, when I tried to celebrate this when I was back in Chennai to pursue my B.Com, many thought I was bringing a North Indian culture and refused to celebrate simply saying its not a part of our culture. I was amazed and shocked to see some people's reactions and I was petrified to see some people hating the festival because their clothes would get colored and dirty. Well, what could I say? During my days in Delhi, I was the brat when it came to the playground and all the senior citizens in the apartment would hate our gang for breaking the window panes or hitting the ball into their balconies and creating a racket or a little riot and what not. And to my surprise, when we all assembled at the Quadrangle (the name of our apartment garden) to celebrate Holi, all those who despised us, welcomed us in open arms and did not shy an inch from applying colors to them or splashing colored water on them. What joy to see them become one among us and us becoming one among them.

On a lighter note, Holi also served a purpose of mending broken relationships, strained friendships, budding foes and especially secret romantic escapades. These moments are special to all of us because its this time that we get the closest chance one would get to get that glimpse or conversation or that touch...the sheer magic of colors. We all have been through this so theres nothing to be ashamed about now!!! Anyways, I would now leave this to the imagination of those who have been through it and wish not to hurt the sentiments of those who have had otherwise.

Coming to the current reality, given a chance, corporates would scrap this festival down the drain and would ensure that work is at its peak when we find a reason to celebrate. Like the sacrificial lamb of the financial year, festivals like Holi take a beating and continue to be a college or school going kid's or a jobless or a retired citizen's festival. Especially MNCs which have no clue about the significance of Holi. Leave alone that, I work in an Indian company and even they have not declared this day off! Some people just dont like to see others celebrate right? Especially if its towards the last month of the Financial Year!!!

But whatever said and done, the moments surrounding this special festival is just unique and the only theme or feel is just happiness. The sudden water balloon attacks, bombarding passers by with bucket of color water from the 4th floor, welcoming strangers and applying gulals the tilaks and giving them Bhaang and Mithaais especially Gujjia, dancing and singing like there was no tomorrow, water guns and sprays and the battle of the water balloons, free hugs, etc.

On a more factual mode, Holi marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. The festival breathes an air of romance and social merriment. It is said that on this day, people befriend even their enemies and make a new beginning. This festival, as I had mentioned is about letting go whatever has happened and enjoy life together with family and friends. To read and know more on the festival of Holi, do check out - http://www.thecolorsofindia.com/holi.html

Keeping this in mind, I have one question to ask those who shun away from such culturally significant celebrations - What is it that you have against celebrating such joyous occasions?

And I have another question also - Knowing that all our bosses are our enemies, can they or we reconcile at least on this day and request for a 'holi-day' to celebrate this relationship in peace and in joy?

I am still in search of these answers...in the meatime, heres wishing you all a very happy Holi!!!!!!