The Holi we celebrate today is quite different from the Holi of the past. Earlier, this festival brought immense joy and unity among people. There was a genuine feeling of love, and animosity was nowhere to be seen. Families and friends would come together to celebrate with colours and laughter. As times have changed, the warmth of relationships seems to have faded. Nowadays Holi greetings often begin and end with a “Happy Holi” sent via mobile or the internet. The same enthusiasm and celebration are no longer there. Earlier, children would form groups in every neighbourhood to collect Holi donations and happily throw colours on anyone they could find. Even when they were teased or scolded, they would laugh. Now it seems that people are more interested in arguing rather than having fun.
Holi is a festival celebrated by people of all backgrounds, forgetting enmity and embracing each other. Yet, this festival of unity and love is changing. The joys of Phalgun now seem like distant memories. The colours of Holi have faded over the years. Elders lament that there is no longer the laughter, merriment, and lively spirit that once characterized the festival. The sound of water splashes and the vibrancy of Holi have taken a quiet turn after a few hours of celebration. The joyous chants of “Aao Radhe khele phaag, Holi aayi” and the merriment surrounding the festival are getting subdued with time.
As soon as Phalgun arrived, the excitement of Holi started to fill the air. The sound of Phaag started resonating in the temples, and Holi folk songs were heard everywhere. As the evening fell, traditional dances with dhap-chang spread the colors of Holi all around. People happily splashed water on each other, and there was no bitterness, only happiness. Holi preparations began from Vasant Panchami itself, and the courtyards and temples of the community came alive with the beats of Chang.
At night, dancing to the beats of Chang attracted everyone. People singing Phalgun songs and Rasiya from a distance joined the dance and enjoyed Holi under the shadow of the stars. However, as time has changed, the warmth of relationships seems to have faded. Nowadays Holi greetings often begin and end with “Happy Holi” sent through mobile or the internet. The atmosphere of enthusiasm and celebration is no longer the same as before. Earlier, children used to form groups for Holi in every locality collect Holi donations, and happily throw colors on anyone. Even when they were teased or scolded, they would laugh. Now it seems that people are more interested in arguing than having fun.
In earlier times, the daughters-in-law of neighbors were treated like family. Homes were filled with the aroma of delicious delicacies, and guests were welcomed with open arms. Today, celebrations are mostly confined to one’s own home, and the sense of community is diminishing. A simple “Holi Mubarak” over the phone has replaced the earlier heartfelt relationships, making relationships seem less cordial. This change has led to families being hesitant to let their daughters-in-law meet friends or relatives. Earlier, girls would roam around in the open air, laughing and having fun during Holi, but now if a girl stays at a relative’s house for too long, her family becomes anxious.
The Holi festival used to be a season of joy, starting with the planting of Holi plants. Little girls would make waludiya from cow dung and make beautiful garlands with jewelry, coconuts, anklets, and toe rings. Sadly, these traditions have now ended. Earlier, colors were made at home by grinding test and palash flowers, and women would sing Holi songs. On the day of Holi, everyone would celebrate by dancing to the beats of Chang. The tunes of Faag would start resonating from Basant Panchami itself, but now Holi songs are heard only at a few places. Traditionally, people from different communities would gather to play Holi with the beats of dholak and change. Where has that lively spirit gone now?
Today, Holi seems like a mere tradition. In recent years, social anger and divisions have grown so much that many families prefer to stay indoors on this festival day. Though people have been celebrating Holi with enthusiasm for years, the real purpose of this festival, which is to promote brotherhood and remove negativity, is now lost somewhere. Society is facing many challenges, and social inequality is eroding the values of love, brotherhood, and humanity.
There was a time when Holi was an important occasion when families would gather to witness the Holika Dahan, and on the same day they would happily apply colours and throw abir on each other. Groups would visit each other’s houses to share the joy of Holi and sing Fagua songs while immersed in the spirit of Bhaang. Now, the reality is that few people prefer to stay out of the house on Holi. Every month and every season bring a new festival, which reminds us of the happiness they can bring. These celebrations cheer us up, fill our hearts with hope, and remove feelings of loneliness, even if only for a little while. We must treasure this festive spirit.
