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GUWAHATI AND MUMBAI, INDIA, March 26, 2005: Colours may not hold much significance to the blind children as they cannot see it. Yet, the vibrant colours of Holi, smeared on the bubbly faces of the visually impaired children in Guwahati, depict the true sense of the festival. The blind children danced and sang while applying colours on their friends. “We also play Holi just like other people. Not only just Holi, we celebrate all festivals with full vigour,” said Suresh, a blind child.



Meanwhile, the fishing community in Mumbai began their Holi celebrations on Thursday itself with great aplomb. Dance, spraying of colours, fun and frolic marked the festive occasion as the fishermen lit a bonfire. The celebrations go on for three days. “We start Holi celebrations early and it continues for three days. We celebrate it with great vigour,” said Smita Suresh Hegde, a local.



One of the most popular festivals in India, the festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. It is associated with the story of King Hiranyakashyap as well as with Krishna and Radha. In Vrindavan as well as Mathura, both associated with Lord Krishna, the celebration is spread over 16 days. Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.



Today, Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day flirting and misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder (gulal) and water over each other. Each area celebrates Holi differently; the Bhil tribesmen of western Madhya Pradesh, who’ve retained many of their pre-Hindu customs, celebrate holi in a unique way. In rural Maharashtra State, where the festival is known as Rangapanchami it is celebrated with dancing and singing. In the towns of Rajasthan – especially Jaisalmer – the music’s great, and clouds of pink, green, and turquoise powder fill the air. People put colours on each other, distribute sweets and take out processions, dancing to rhythmic beat of drums in a milange of colours on the Holi day.



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