The colors of Holi soothe the body as well as the soul. This is the only festival which has tradition as well as fun. A glimpse of this can be seen in the Hori singing. Look, son, don’t knock my eyes, how are you playing. Radha or whatever gopis are there in this hori, their sentiment is that look Kanha, play Holi in such a way that no abir or gulal or color gets in the eyes. If it goes in the eyes, then I will give a song, I will not leave it, I will also paint it in this phase, that is, I will abuse you and will not leave you too, I will paint you with colors too. Of course, Masane ki Holi is also played in Banaras, but we live in the spirit of Vrindavan region. Kashi definitely resides, but they sing and play the Vrindavan hori. Like, Khel Rahi Rang Hori with his Dou Naina, like Chand and Chakore, Khel Rahi Rang Hori with his Dou Naina or Khelaat Abir Gulal, Ghanshyam with Mili Gopin.
On the day of Holi, I suddenly remember my childhood. In those days there used to be a big hustle and bustle of Holi in Banaras. Balloons were not in use then. All the children used to have a pitchfork in their hands. My grandmother used to give big brass pitchers to both of us (elder brother Pandit Rajan Mishra). A helper also used to accompany us, who was carrying a bucket full of colours. Usually, only a boy who was one and a half years younger used to get this responsibility. The whole locality used to play Holi together. For a while we would play the pitchfork, then give it to our assistant to run.
We not only used to paint the familiar and the unknown, we also used to do jokes. In one such incident, we had put a small child in a large basket containing vegetables and put a sheet over it. I grabbed one end of the basket as if I want to lift it, but because of its heavy I am unable to lift it. A passerby caught sight of me and he came to my aid. As he bent down to pick up the basket, the child said ho-ho and poured color on it. Our such wickedness used to start from Holika Dahan itself. We used to choose wood for Holika Dahan. If we saw any wood in someone’s house, we would have taken it silently without informing it. Many times his complaints also used to come home for this. But father (Pandit Hanuman Mishra) knew that Holi is a festival of children, so he used to scold us a little and ignore his words.
In those days, there was also a competition of Holika Dahan in the locality that whose Holika was burnt for how many days? Usually Holika Dahan would take place a night before Holi, whose fire would keep burning till the next day of Holi. From the neighboring locality, it would be known whose Holika was burnt for the longest time. A different euphoria of this used to reside in us children.
I remember how we brothers used to create ruckus on Holi. We used to play colors during the day, and abir-gulal in the evening. Dadi would give some money in hand to our brothers by vaccinating them. We were also given a packet of almond-nut and garlanded with dates-coconut around our neck. In those days such garlands were sold a lot in Banaras. It was said that due to being wet throughout the day, the body becomes cold, due to which the warmth of dry fruits or dry fruits is necessary. We used to eat dates and coconuts by breaking them with garlands.
Those were golden days for us. The Kabir Chaura Mohalla in which we used to stay is a mohalla of artists. All the artists used to come to our place, sit and drink almond-pistachio thandai. Then there was singing. Sometimes father would ask us to raise our voice in between, so we would have done it. Now slowly everything has changed. However, for the last 10 years, we brothers used to go to Banaras and play Holi. In the evening there would be singing, in which some local artists participated. Later we used to sing too. But now everything is over. The world itself has changed with the passage of time. Bhaiya also used to be so excited about Holi that two months in advance he would have tried to get tickets. Then the excitement was worth watching.
By the way, Banaras still lives the traditions. Even today, on the evening of Holi, when people meet with each other, abir-gulal vaccine is given. The effort is that everyone wear white clothes. Even today, sticks, pieces of wood, sweets etc. are sent from homes for Holika Dahan with the touch of hands. We still believe in that belief of the ancestors that if you donate with the touch of your hand, then along with Holika Dahan, diseases etc. This rule is followed by my family even today. Singing is a very beautiful side of Holi. You may not like Phag on the test of technique, but the beauty with which people sing it, it captivates the mind. We artists also listen and sing hori. Although, I do not dislike the singing of any artist, but along with Papa, Chachaji (Pandit Gopal Mishra) and Bade Bhaiya, the singing of artists like Pandit Harishankar Mishra, Srichandra Mishra, Girija Devi, Siddheshwari Devi, Ramu Pandit is a special favourite. Used to be.
On this occasion of Holi, it is a prayer to God that every person of his country should be healthy and Holi is auspicious for him. The Covid period has been a devastating period for all of us. Slowly we are recovering from it. So, stay healthy as much as you can. Play Rang and Pichkari. Have a lot of fun Do demons. But also take full care of the limits. Happy Holi to all with these best wishes!
(These are the author’s own views)