75-609: Kumauni or Kumaoni Holi is the historical and cultural celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi in the region of Kumaon , India. It is one of the most important festivals for the Kumauni people as it signifies not only the victory of good over evil but also end of the winter season and the start of the new sowing season which holds great importance for this agricultural community of the North Indian Himalayas . It
150-638: A conversation with Kaka Kalelkar , described how he created the Gandhi cap . Gandhi said that he looked at a number of caps from various parts of India and wanted to design a cap that would cover the head in hot weather and would be easy to keep in a pocket. He found Kashmiri cap to be coming close to what he wanted to design but it used wool. Gandhi writes that he instead used cotton cloth in white because white clothes are supposed to be washed more regularly and are easier to wash. The Gandhi cap emerged in India during
225-459: A cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is the festive day to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive. People pay or forgive debts, as well as deal anew with those in their lives. Holi also marks the start of spring, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and make new friends. Holi
300-486: A festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. Traditional Holi ( Hindi pronunciation: ['hoːli:] ) is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours , Love , and Spring . It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna . Additionally,
375-480: A few days for the Kumaoni peasantry. Holi The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta . If
450-464: A high-spirited festival to mark the beginning of the harvesting of the summer crop, with the throwing of coloured water and powder and singing and dancing. Traditionally, in rural Karnataka , children collect money and wood in the weeks prior to Holi, and on "Kamadahana" night, all the wood is put together and lit. The festival is celebrated for two days. People in northern parts of Karnataka prepare special food on this day. In Sirsi , Karnataka, Holi
525-489: A hundred thousand years) हमार इजा बौजू जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our parents live for a hundred thousand years) हमार दाज्यू भौजी जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our brothers and their families live for a hundred thousand years) हो हो हो लख रे (may you live a hundred thousand years) Special culinary preparations for Holi include gujia (fried dumpling filled with a sweet filling of roasted Mava(Solid milk extract), and dry fruits and nuts) and Aaloo ke Gutke (आलू के गुटके), which
600-505: A song for the festival, while poets such as Amir Khusrau , Ibrahim Raskhan , Nazeer Akbarabadi and Mehjoor Lakhnavi relished it in their writings. Sikhs have traditionally celebrated the festival, at least through the 19th century, with its historic texts referring to it as Hola . Guru Gobind Singh – the last human guru of the Sikhs – modified Holi with a three-day Hola Mohalla extension festival of martial arts. The extension started
675-570: Is a cultural celebration that gives Hindus and non-Hindus alike an opportunity to have fun banter with other people by throwing coloured water and powder at each other. It is also observed broadly on the Indian subcontinent . Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month, marking the spring, making the date vary with the lunar cycle. The date falls typically in March, but sometimes late February of
750-502: Is a part of the Goan or Konkani spring festival known as Śigmo or शिगमो in Koṅkaṇī or Śiśirotsava , which lasts for about a month. The colour festival or Holi is a part of longer, more extensive spring festival celebrations. Holi festivities (but not Śigmo festivities) include: Holika Puja and Dahan , Dhulvad or Dhuli vandan , Haldune or offering yellow and saffron colour or Gulal to
825-494: Is a red powder enclosed in globes of Lakh, which break instantly and cover the party with the powder. The culmination of the holi celebrations takes place with throwing abeer and gulal in the air and reciting out aloud in unison the following prayer in Kumaoni for a healthy and prosperous year ahead. हो हो हो लख रे (may you live a hundred thousand years) हमार आमा बुबू जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our grandparents live for
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#1732776507713900-414: Is a white sidecap , pointed in front and back and having a wide band. It is made out of khadi . It takes its name after the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi , who created it and first popularised its use during the Indian independence movement . Worn commonly by Indian independence activists , it became a symbolic tradition for politicians and political activists to wear in independent India. Gandhi, in
975-691: Is also known as Dol Jatra (swing festival") and Bôshonto Utshôb ( Bengali : বসন্ত উৎসব ) ("spring festival") in Bengal ( West Bengal and Bangladesh ), Phakua ( Assamese : ফাকুৱা ) and Dôl Jātrā ( Assamese : দ’ল যাত্ৰা ) in Assam , Phāgu Pūrṇimā ( Nepali : फागु पूर्णिमा ) in the hilly region of Nepal , Dola jātra ( Odia : ଦୋଳଯାତ୍ରା ) in Odisha , Fagua or Phagua ( Bhojpuri : 𑂤𑂏𑂳𑂄 ) in eastern Uttar Pradesh , western Bihar , and northwestern Jharkhand , Phagwah ( Caribbean Hindustani : पगवा) in
1050-719: Is an amalgamation of the cultural traditions of North India and the local traditions of Kumaon. The uniqueness of the Kumaoni Holi lies in its being a musical affair, whatever its form, be it the Baithki Holi , the Khari Holi and the Mahila Holi all of which start from Basant Panchmi . This results in the festivities of Holi lasting for almost two months in Kumaon. The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are unique in that
1125-422: Is called Holika Dahan or "Chhoti Holi" whereby people gather around a lit bonfire, symbolising the victory of good over evil as well as the removal of the old and arrival of the new. Various rituals are performed around the fire such as singing and dancing. This ritual is derived from the story of Holika , who attempted to kill Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu , through the flames of a bonfire. Although Holika
1200-550: Is celebrated in some parts of India . The festival of colours in these parts is called Rangapanchami , and occurs on the fifth day after Poornima (full moon). The Holi festival is an ancient Hindu festival with its own cultural rituals which emerged before the Gupta period. The festival of colours finds mentioned in numerous scriptures, such as in works like Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras with even more detailed descriptions in ancient texts like
1275-404: Is celebrated with a unique folk dance called "Bedara Vesha", which is performed during the nights beginning five days before the actual festival day. The festival is celebrated every alternate year in the town, which attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of India. In Maharashtra , Holi Purnima is also celebrated as Shimga, festivities that last five to seven days. A week before
1350-461: Is celebrated with great gusto much in the same way as all across North India. Principal ingredients of the celebration are Abeer and Gulal, in all possible colours. Next comes squirting of coloured water using pichkaris. Coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers, which are first gathered from the trees, dried in the sun, and then ground up, and later mixed with water to produce orange-yellow coloured water. Another traditional Holi item now rarely seen
1425-586: Is common in some Caribbean communities of Indian origin such as Guyana , Suriname , Trinidad and Tobago , and Jamaica . It is also celebrated with great fervour in Mauritius , Fiji , and South Africa . There is a symbolic legend found in the 7th chapter of the Bhagavata Purana explaining why Holi is celebrated as a festival of triumph of good over evil in the honour of Hindu god Vishnu and his devotee Prahlada . King Hiranyakashipu ,
1500-528: Is filled with excitement and frolic in contrast to the more sombre nature of the Baithaki Holi. Mahila Holi gatherings are similar to those of Baithaki but composed exclusively of women. The Holika bonfire in Kumaun is known as cheer (चीर) which is made in a ceremony known as Cheer Bandhan (चीर बंधन) fifteen days before Dulhendi. The cheer is basically a bonfire with a green paiya tree branch in
1575-441: Is fried boiled potatoes seasoned with Dhania patta (Coriander leaves) with local spices and Bhaang ki Chutney. Apart from its symbolic significance of victory of pious Prahlad over his evil father Hiranyakashipu 's plans. In Kumaon holi also signifies the end of the long Himalayan winter and the beginning of a new sowing season which is to be celebrated it also means a break from the rigorous life of hard agricultural labour for
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#17327765077131650-453: Is known as Chanchar which also has 16 matra's. Other than these Teental and keharwa are widely used & at times one may also find Dadra being used but in most common case it is Chanchar -Teental -Keharwa in a Sitarkhani gat. The Baithaks or sittings are held in the local community centres and even at local homes. It generally starts with Rag Dhamaar and ends with Rag Bhairavi. The songs are usually religious in nature and concern tales from
1725-504: Is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally associated with Radha Krishna : Mathura , Vrindavan , Nandgaon , Barsana , and Gokula . These places are popular tourist attractions during Holi. Outside India, Holi is observed by Hindus in Nepal , Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as in countries with large diaspora populations from India around
1800-543: The Narada Purana and Bhavishya Purana . The festival of "holikotsav" was also mentioned in the 7th century work, Ratnavali , by King Harsha . It is mentioned in the Puranas , Dasakumara Charita by Daṇḍin , and by the poet Kālidāsa during the 4th century reign of Chandragupta II . The celebration of Holi is also mentioned in the 7th-century Sanskrit drama Ratnavali . The festival of Holi caught
1875-556: The Caribbean (namely Trinidad and Tobago , Guyana , Suriname , and Jamaica ), and Phagua ( Fiji Hindi : पगवा ) in Fiji . The main day of the celebration is known as "Holi", "Rangwali Holi", " Dol Purnima ", "Dhuleti", "Dhulandi", "Ukuli", "Manjal Kuli", " Yaosang ", " Shigmo ", "Phagwah", or "Jajiri". Holi is a sacred ancient tradition of Hindus, a holiday in many states of India with regional holidays in other countries. It
1950-552: The Indian Parliament (especially politicians and activists of the Congress party) wore khadi clothing and the Gandhi cap . Large numbers of people donned the cap while celebrating India's independence on 15 August or the promulgation of a republic on 26 January. Jawarharlal Nehru was always remembered as having worn the cap. In 1964 a coin showing Nehru in profile was released which was widely criticized for lacking
2025-556: The Lal Qila , where the festival was also known as Eid-e-gulaabi or Aab-e-Pashi . Mehfils were held throughout the walled city of Delhi with aristocrats and traders alike participating. This changed during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb. He banned the public celebration of Holi using a Farman issue in November 1665. However, the celebration were later restarted after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb. Bahadur Shah Zafar himself wrote
2100-559: The Non-cooperation movement from 1920 to 1922 , when it became the standard Indian National Congress dress as popularized by Gandhi. By 1920, a substantial number of Indian males wore this cap. Colonial officials in the Central Provinces banned Indian Civil Service employees from wearing Gandhi caps. Gandhi's homespun khadi attire of traditional Indian clothes were symbolic of his message of cultural pride,
2175-767: The Bilawal gardens, where decorative tents were set up. In 1837, Sir Henry Fane who was the commander-in-chief of the British Indian army joined the Holi celebrations organised by Ranjit Singh. A mural in the Lahore Fort was sponsored by Ranjit Singh and it showed the Hindu god Krishna playing Holi with gopis . After the death of Ranjit Singh, his Sikh sons and others continued to play Holi every year with colours and lavish festivities. The colonial British officials joined these celebrations. The night before Holi
2250-584: The Gregorian calendar. The festival has many purposes; most prominently, it celebrates the beginning of Spring. In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests, and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time to enjoying spring's abundant colours and say farewell to winter. To many Hindus, Holi festivities mark an occasion to reset and renew ruptured relationships , end conflicts, and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from
2325-533: The Holi festivity. Holi is known as Phaguwa or Fagua in the Bhojpuri language. In this region as well, the legend of Holika is prevalent. On the eve of Phalgun Poornima, people light bonfires. They put dried cow dung cakes, wood of the Araad or Redi tree and Holika tree, grains from the fresh harvest and unwanted wood leaves in the bonfire. At the time of Holika people assemble near the pyre. The eldest member of
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2400-433: The agricultural season of the rabi crop . In some places, there is a custom in undivided Hindu families that the woman beats her brother-in-law with a sari rolled up into a rope in a mock rage and tries to drench him with colours, and in turn, the brother-in-law brings sweets (Indian desserts) to her in the evening. In Jammu and Kashmir , Holi celebrations are much in line with the general definition of Holi celebrations:
2475-600: The blossoming of love. It is also an invocation for a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (full moon day) falling on the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna , which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar . Holi ( Hindi : होली , Gujarati : હોળી , Kannada : ಹೋಳಿ , Marathi : होळी , Nepali : होली , Punjabi : ਹੋਲੀ , Telugu : హోళి )
2550-427: The boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right. Finally, Holika, Prahlada's evil aunt, tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika was wearing a cloak that made her immune to injury from fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire spread, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada, who survived while Holika burned. Vishnu, the god who appears as an avatar to restore Dharma in Hindu beliefs, took
2625-418: The cap. Another Nehru coin was later released in 1989 on his birth centenary, which showed him wearing a cap. In later times, the cap had lost its popular and political appeal. Although many members of the Congress party continued the tradition, rival political parties preferred to dissociate themselves from the tradition linked with the Congress. The mass acceptance of Western-style clothing had also diminished
2700-460: The celebration of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over Hiranyakashipu, and of the fire that burned Holika . Among other Hindu traditions such as Shaivism and Shaktism , the legendary significance of Holi is linked to Shiva in yoga and deep meditation. Goddess Parvati wanting to bring Shiva back into the world, seeks help from the Hindu god of love called Kamadeva on Vasant Panchami . The love god shoots arrows at Shiva,
2775-426: The classical traditions of Hindustani Classical Music but have heavy influence of Kumaoni folk music traditions. The Baithki Holi begins from the premises of temples, where Holiyars (होल्यार), (the singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs to the accompaniment of classical music like harmonium and tabla. Generally starting from the first Sunday of Paush these are known as Nirvana Holi. Some of
2850-632: The day after the Holi festival in Anandpur Sahib , where Sikh soldiers would train in mock battles, compete in horsemanship, athletics, archery and military exercises. Holi was observed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his Sikh Empire that extended across what are now northern parts of India and Pakistan. According to a report by Tribune India, Sikh court records state that 300 mounds of colours were used in 1837 by Ranjit Singh and his officials in Lahore . Ranjit Singh would celebrate Holi with others in
2925-477: The day of Rang Panchami , five days after Shimga. During this festival, people are supposed to forget and forgive any rivalries and start new healthy relations with all. Manipuris celebrate Holi for 6 days. Here, this holiday merges with the festival of Yaosang . Traditionally, the festival commences with the burning of a thatched hut of hay and twigs. Young children go from house to house to collect money, locally known as nakadeng (or nakatheng ), as gifts on
3000-490: The day of Basant Panchmi held all across Kumaon till the Dulhendi (or the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna ). In some areas of Kumaon it starts even earlier at the peak of winter on the first Sunday of the Indian month of Paush that is in the month of December and they celebrates baithaki holi till March (4 months) and during baithaki holi they do not use colours to celebrate. The Baithaki Holi songs are based on
3075-510: The day of Holi where the icons of Jagannath replace the icons of Krishna and Radha. Dola Melana, processions of the deities are celebrated in villages and bhoga is offered to the deities. "Dola yatra" was prevalent even before 1560 much before Holi was started where the idols of Jagannath , Balabhadra and Subhadra used to be taken to the "Dolamandapa" (podium in Jagannath temple ). People used to offer natural colours known as "abira" to
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3150-463: The day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu . Holi originated and is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent , but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the Indian diaspora. Holi also celebrates the arrival of spring in India, the end of winter, and
3225-629: The day, people visit family, and friends and foes come together to chat, enjoy food and drinks, and partake in Holi delicacies. Holi is also a festival of forgiveness and new starts, which ritually aims to generate harmony in society. Many cities in Uttar Pradesh also organise Kavi sammelan in the evening. Groups sing and dance, some playing drums and dholak . After each stop of fun and play with colours, people offer gujiya , mathri , malpuas and other traditional delicacies. Cold drinks, including drinks made with marijuana, are also part of
3300-484: The deities and apply on each other's feats. In Punjab , the eight days preceding Holi are known as luhatak. Sekhon (2000) states that people start throwing colours many days before Holi. Holi is preceded by Holika Dahan the night before when a fire is lit. Historically, the Lubana community of Punjab celebrated holi "with great pomp and show. The Lubanas buried a pice and betel nut. They heaped up cow-dung cakes over
3375-471: The deity. In Gujarat , Holi is a two-day festival. On the evening of the first day, a bonfire is lit and raw coconut and corn is offered to the fire. The second day is the festival of colour or "Dhuleti", celebrated by sprinkling coloured water and applying colours to each other. Dwarka , a coastal city of Gujarat, celebrates Holi at the Dwarkadhish temple with citywide music festivities. Holi marks
3450-577: The early 20th century. This has been cited as the genesis of the Gandhi Cap. The Gandhi cap was also adopted by the members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The first generation of post-independence Indian politicians were almost universally members of the freedom struggle. The cap was regularly worn by Indian leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru , India's first Prime Minister and the succeeding prime ministers such as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Morarji Desai continued this tradition. Most members of
3525-402: The evening of Holi, day after Holi with wet colours is played in the morning through the afternoon. Due to large-scale internal migration issues faced by the people, recently, this tradition has slowly begun to transform, and it is common to have Holi Milan on an entirely different day either before or after the actual day of Holi. Children and youths take extreme delight in the festival. Though
3600-441: The fair-skinned Radha would like him because of his dark skin colour. His mother Yashoda , tired of his desperation, asks him to approach Radha and ask her to colour his face in any colour she wanted. This Radha did, and Radha and Krishna became a couple. Ever since, the playful colouring of Radha and Krishna's faces has been commemorated as Holi. Beyond India, these legends help to explain the significance of Holi ( Phagwah ), which
3675-493: The fascination of European traders and British colonial staff by the 17th century. Various old editions of the Oxford English Dictionary mention it, but with varying, phonetically derived spellings: Houly (1687), Hooly (1698), Huli (1789), Hohlee (1809), Hoolee (1825), and Holi in editions published after 1910. In the Braj region of India, where the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna grew up,
3750-628: The father of Prahlada, was the king of demonic Asuras and had earned a boon that gave him five special powers: he could be killed by neither a human being nor an animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither at day nor at night, neither by astra (projectile weapons) nor by any shastra (handheld weapons), and neither on land nor in water or air. Hiranyakashipu grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him. Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada , however, remained devoted to Vishnu . This infuriated Hiranyakashipu. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, none of which affected
3825-447: The festival is celebrated until Rang Panchmi in commemoration of their divine love for each other. The festivities officially usher in spring, with Holi celebrated as a festival of love. Garga Samhita , a puranic work by Sage Garga was the first work of literature to mention the romantic description of Radha and Krishna playing Holi. There is also a popular symbolic legend behind the festival. In his youth, Krishna despaired whether
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#17327765077133900-427: The festival is usually celebrated with colours, in some places, people also enjoy celebrating Holi with water solutions of mud or clay. Folk songs are sung at high pitch and people dance to the sound of the dholak (a two-headed hand-drum) and the spirit of Holi. Intoxicating bhang , made from cannabis , milk and spices, is consumed with a variety of mouth-watering delicacies, such as pakoras and thandai , to enhance
3975-446: The festival, youngsters go around the community, collecting firewood and money. On the day of Shimga, the firewood is heaped into a huge pile in each neighbourhood. In the evening, the fire is lit. Every household brings a meal and dessert, in the honour of the fire god. Puran Poli is the main delicacy and children shout "Holi re Holi puranachi poli". Shimga celebrates the elimination of all evil. The colour celebrations here take place on
4050-426: The first two days. The youths at night perform a group folk dance called Thabal chongba on the full moon night of Lamta ( Phalgun ), traditionally accompanied by folk songs and rhythmic beats of the indigenous drum, but nowadays by modern bands and fluorescent lamps . In Krishna temples, devotees sing devotional songs, perform dances and celebrate with aber ( gulal ) wearing traditional white and yellow turbans. On
4125-441: The form of Narasimha – half human and half lion (which is neither a human nor an animal), at dusk (when it was neither day nor night), took Hiranyakashyapu at a doorstep (which was neither indoors nor outdoors), placed him on his lap (which was neither land, water nor air), and then eviscerated and killed the king with his lion claws (which were neither a handheld weapon nor a launched weapon). The Holika bonfire and Holi signifies
4200-507: The gathering or a purohit initiates the lighting. He then smears others with colour as a mark of greeting. Next day the festival is celebrated with colours and a lot of frolic. Traditionally, people also clean their houses to mark the festival. Holi Milan is also observed in Bihar , where family members and well-wishers visit each other's family, apply colours ( abeer ) on each other's faces, and on feet, if elderly. Usually, this takes place on
4275-461: The holi's written by Swami Brahmanand are also sung and are called Brahmanand ki holi. From Shivratri the focus then Shifts to Shivpadi Holi's. Most famous Baithaki Holi groups lives in Pati, Champawat district . And there is at least one musical player in all families. They sings their own made baithaki holi songs in regional kumaoni language or hindi language. Kumaonis are very particular about
4350-614: The importance of wearing Indian-style clothes for politicians. The cap remains the most popular everyday headgear worn by men in rural parts of Maharashtra . In the " I Have a Dream " speech of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, many people standing behind him on stage wore Gandhi caps. In 2011, the Gandhi cap once again rose in popularity in India after Anna Hazare , an eminent Gandhian from Maharashtra , started an anti-corruption movement in India. The epicenter of this movement
4425-478: The last day of the festival, large processions are taken out to the main Krishna temple near Imphal where several cultural activities are held. In recent decades, Yaosang , a type of Indian sport, has become common in many places of the valley, where people of all ages come out to participate in a number of sports that are somewhat altered for the holiday. The people of Odisha celebrate Dola or Pushpadola on
4500-633: The life of the Hindu God Krishna and Ram . Still these Baithaks are an inter-religious affair as even Muslims and Christians participate in these gatherings. Khadi Holi (खड़ी होली), (literally Standing Holi) usually starts along with but sometimes a little later than Baithaki Holi. It is mostly celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon. The songs of the Khari Holi are sung by the people, sporting traditional white nokdaar topi , churidar payajama and kurta , dance in groups to
4575-464: The middle. The cheer of every village and mohalla is rigorously guarded as rival mohallas try to steal the others' cheer . The cheer is the centre of the festivities. The Cheer is burnt on the night before Holi and is known as Cheer Dahan is symbolic of the victory of the pious Prahlad over his evil father's plans. Dulhendi known as chharadi (छरड़ी), in Kumaoni (from chharad (छरड़), or natural colours made from flower extracts, ash and water)
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#17327765077134650-648: The mood of the festival. In the Kanpur , Holi lasts for seven days. On the last day, a fair called Ganga Mela or the Holi Mela is celebrated. The fair was started by freedom fighters who fought British rule. In Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a special event called "Holi Milan" is celebrated. Holi is locally called Ukkuli in Konkani . It is celebrated around the Konkani temple called Gosripuram temple. It
4725-930: The past. It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of Holika. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika ) or Little Holi. People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti , Dhulandi or Dhulendi , is celebrated. In Northern parts of India, children and youth spray coloured powder solutions ( gulal ) at each other, laugh, and celebrate, while adults smear dry coloured powder ( abir ) on each other's faces. Visitors to homes are first teased with colours, then served with Holi delicacies (such as gujia, shakkarpaare, matri, and dahi-bada ), desserts and drinks. After playing with colours, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family. Like Holika Dahan, Kama Dahanam
4800-483: The plains (places like Rampur ) made the singing of Holi famous & loved not just among the rulers but also with the common masses, who slowly adopted it and gave it a distinctive Kumauni flavour. A style which is a unique blend of classical music and folk. While, to some it might resemble Thumri because of the presence of Shringar Ras in it but it is totally different, the way the Bandish are rendered, elaborated and
4875-436: The songs on which they are based have a combination of melody, fun, and spiritualism. These songs are essentially based on classical ragas. Baithki Holi is also known as Nirvan Ki Holi or Holi of Salvation. Kumauni Holi has characteristics which are very different from Holi celebrations anywhere in the country. The following are the various forms musical gatherings in which Holi songs are ceremonially sung which are viewed as
4950-586: The spot and made a large fire. When the fire had burnt out, they proceeded to hunt for the pice and betel-nut. Whosoever found these, was considered very lucky." Elsewhere in Punjab, Holi was also associated with making fools of others. Bose writing in Cultural Anthropology: And Other Essays in 1929 noted that "the custom of playing Holi-fools is prevalent in Punjab". Gandhi cap The Gandhi cap ( Hindi : गाँधी टोपी )
5025-553: The start of the Holi celebration. All of these celebrations in the form of musical gatherings start on the Basant Panchmi Day. The Origin of the forms of Holi especially Baithaki Holi musical traditions are in 15th century Champawat (court of the Chand kings) where the musical traditions of Braj mixed with Kumaoni musical traditions of Khadi Holi Of Champawat (Sui, Gumdesh, bilde & bishung) The Ustads which came from
5100-591: The time when the songs based on ragas should be sung. For instance, at noon the songs based on Pilu , Bhimpalasi and Sarang ragas are sung while evening is reserved for the songs based on the ragas like Kalyan, Shyamkalyan, Kafi, Jaijawanti etc. There is a certain distinctiveness in the presentation of ragas (melodies) too and some of them like Janglakafi (which is a special ang of khamaj) are unique to kumauni holi The Taal's used are also unique. Dhamaar taal in kumauni holi has 16 matra's rather than 14 as in Indian classical music tradition. The other most widely used taal
5175-465: The tune of ethnic musical instruments like the dhol , joda (metal instrument), and Hurka . Men in groups singing Khadi holi songs which are much more Kumaoni in flavour than the classical renditions of the Baithaki holi visit different homes and greet the members of that house and chant hymns praying for prosperity of the householder. These groups of men are called tolis . Khadi Holi
5250-613: The use of Swadeshi goods (as opposed to those manufactured in Europe), self-reliance and solidarity with India's rural masses. The cap became common to most followers of Gandhi and members of the Indian National Congress . A connection to the independence movement was implied when any individual wore the cap in those times. Black prisoners in South African prisons were required to wear a small headcover during
5325-543: The way some of the Raags are presented. With the spread of Chand rule and integration of Kumaon under them the Holi traditions spread all across Kumaon and acquired their distinct Kumaoni flavour. Mr. Heera Ballabh Bhatt ji was the famous Khadi Holi and Baithaki Holi singer in Champawat. He represented Kumaoni Khadi Holi on DD1. Baithki Holi (बैठकी होली), (literally Sitting Holi) is a form of musical gathering starting from
5400-497: The world. The Holi rituals and customs can vary with local adaptations. The festival has traditionally been also observed by non-Hindus, such as by Jains and Newars ( Nepal ). In Mughal India , Holi was celebrated with such exuberance that people of all castes could throw colour on the Emperor. According to Sharma (2017), "there are several paintings of Mughal emperors celebrating Holi". Grand celebrations of Holi were held at
5475-639: The yogi opens his third eye and burns Kama to ashes. This upsets both Kama's wife Rati ( Kamadevi ) and his own wife Parvati . Rati performs her own meditative asceticism for forty days, upon which Shiva understands, forgives out of compassion and restores the god of love. This return of the god of love, is celebrated on the 40th day after the Vasant Panchami festival as Holi. The Kama legend and its significance to Holi has many variant forms, particularly in South India . The Holi festival has
5550-489: Was endowed with a boon to remain immune to fire, she was burned to ashes, while Prahlada remained unharmed. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) where people smear and drench each other with colours. Water guns and water-filled balloons are often used to play and colour each other, with anyone and any place being considered fair game to colour. Groups often carry drums and other musical instruments going from place to place, singing and dancing. Throughout
5625-459: Was in Delhi. In August 2011, thousands of people wearing Gandhi caps accumulated at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to support Anna Hazare on his fast-unto-death . This movement spilled over to many other parts of the country and stadiums, community centers and grounds were booked for assimilation of a similar nature. The mass movement included people of all age groups, religions and social standings (mainly
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