Holi Festival in Manila celebrates the beginning of spring

There may be no spring in Manila, but yesterday, a number of people threw colored powder at each other in merriment as they danced to the beat of the dholak. The Indian drum set the rhythm for the Holi Festival, a joyous and colorful celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of spring. One of the major Hindu celebrations, the Holi Festival symbolizes new hopes and joys for everyone.  

 

Strangers embraced each other in greeting, forgetting their differences for a while. Different social classes, nationalities, cultures, religions, sexual preferences or orientation — none of these matters at the Holi festival. The colored powder, called gulal, is thrown in the air and at each other, symbolizing unity, freedom, and the color of everyday life, according to festival organizer Asia Society.

 

Through this festival, the society aimed to introduce Indian culture and tradition to Filipinos, who can draw a sense of oneness and brotherhood by participating in Indian songs, dances and games.

 

As in Pinoy fiestas, people of all ages relived their childhood days of mischief and playfulness. They smeared each other with gulal, similar to the Filipino practice of smearing charcoal on friends and even strangers during the feast of Sto. Niño. The children enjoyed playing pranks on unsuspecting passersby. Women went around applying colors on each other and offering sweets and greetings.

 

Like Pinoy fiestas, the Holi Festival cannot be complete without delicious sweets and scrumptious food. Festival-goers refreshed themselves with thandal, a drink made from dried fruits and milk. The merriment continued throughout the day, with the same gaiety of a barrio fiesta, or a town celebration of the feast of its patron saint. 

 

The origin of the Holi Festival is associated with many legends. According to one legend, Krishna (the eighth reincarnation of Hindu god Vishnu) would drench the village milkmaids with water and play various tricks on them.

 

In the same way that we celebrate Chinese New Year with our Chinese Filipino brothers and sisters, celebrating the Holi Festival builds unity and harmony beyond our cultural differences.    

The festival was organized by Asia Society together with its partners Singindia Music of the Soul, Indian Ladies Club, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.), Inc., SM Mall of Asia, and SM by the Bay. —CGL/KG, GMA News