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Aeons ago (so the legends and scriptures say) on a balmy, fragrant and sunlit spring day the much loved dark lord (Krishna) had played Holi with his consort Radha/Radhika and a bevy of pretty milkmaids (Gopikas)who were her close friends in Brijbhumi. The ambience must surely have been ecstatic, with the dark waters of the Yamuna cheerfully flowing nearby, and the lush green trees exploding into riot of colours…As is only too well known, it is to commemorate this spectacular occasion that Holi is observed even today. In fact it has been interpolated into our traditions and cultural ethos.
But look around you now. Much water has flowed down the river since the primeval, euphoric times. The motley of coloured powders with which those ‘celestial’ players played were culled nature’s bounty namely flowers fruits leaves and herbs. They have yielded place to toxic chemical liquids and paints in modern days.
By far, the most obnoxious aspect of the festival is its rowdy, free-for-all atmosphere and spirit. In our country and more specifically in the entire northern belt the catch line or keynote –whatever you call it–during the festival is “Bura na mano holi hai” (all is fair during Holi so don’t take it to heart).
Doesn’t this seem to imply :all sorts of unacceptable behavior, including bawdy humour, and lechery can have a free run on this particular occasion? Aren’t men managing a leeway for themselves? Let me tell you why: It is sort of mandatory to consume bhang (a cannabis laden drink) during Holi, and opiated men can’t be penalized for misconduct. During the festival which is considered a great leveler and harbinger of fraternal bonds, fine lines of social norms, and morality get blurred. Even the most tradition-bound, perpetually veiled (ghunghat wearers) womenfolk venture out freely and indulge in revelry and boisterous sprinkling of colours on any one they may bump into.
Naturally a few among the men would be tempted to touch and grope them (they are groggy right?) considering the fact that normally they don’t witness such huge number of females in their normal daily lives. It might sound tad embarrassing but thoroughly drenched, silhouetted feminine figures appear tantalizing.
So is it a case of “Make hay while the sun shines’’. What?
All in whether it is the males have a time of their lives or the Fair Sex who would otherwise flare up, don’t seem to mind for just a day the obscenities in and around Holi are here to stay.
Am a trained and experienced features writer with 30 plus years of experience .My favourite subjects are women's issues, food travel, art,culture ,literature et all.Am a true feminist at heart. An iconoclast read more...
This post has published with none or minimal editorial intervention. Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
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