The New Nation - Internet Edition

Like all ancient cultures of the world, Holi was originally a spring festival of fertility and harvest though modern ingredients of celebrations find their roots in Hindu legends. An ancient festival, Holi has been recorded in various religious works, travelogues and also in murals and inscriptions. A 7th century Sanskrit drama 'Ratnaval' reveals -

Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown from squirt-guns.

They are seized by pretty women while all along the roads the air is filled with singing and drum-beating.

Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over.

And true to this day it is every Holi. There's energy in the air - It flashes in each smile, each colour and in each drop of water. There's the thrill and a year to look forward to. Nature has revived after a cold winter hiatus and 'green' sprouts up as butterflies flutter in the flowering. Everyone is covered in paint and coloured water. The society finds itself undivided as the colour is clueless to who is what caste or class and who is rich and poor.

The truth is in the air as much as the spring is.

Holi!

Photos: Amdadul Huq / DrikNEWS

Text: Arpan Shrestha / DrikNEWS