Holi, an ancient festival of glorious flamboyance and pomp, is a popular celebration observed in South Asia, in particular, India and Nepal. Often associated with frolic, the arrival of spring, and the extrication of inhibitions, Holi is that boisterous occasion where the sight of individuals bespattered with coloured powders and drenched in torrents of tinged water wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. It symbolises victory over evil with the daubing of those near and dear in a sundry of hues. Moreover, it is, in a way, a glimpse of the vibrance of the subcontinent’s heritage.
The lore behind this Festival of Colours may vary from region to region, but the traditions’ roots lie in Hindu mythology. It has been found that some of the poems chronicling the festivities date all the way back to the 4th century CE. Signifying the end of frigid winters and the extension of an olive branch in order to build relationships, Holi takes place on the full moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, the February-March period. Additionally, the celebrations begin the night before with Holika Dahan where religious rituals take place in the form of a bonfire.
Holika Dahan is an auspicious portion of the holiday wherein Holika—the sister of the demon-king Hiranyakashipu—is burnt in a bonfire. She is believed to depict the evil inside each and everyone, while Dahan expresses submission to eternal power. People place their faith in the legend that Holika was burnt in a fire with the involvement of a deity, Vishnu when attempting to impair Prahlad, a devout believer and disciple. This practice also encapsulates rejuvenation.
Besides playing with each other by throwing colours and water balloons, people feast on mouthwatering Gujiyas and Chaats. Along with this, they refresh themselves with a cooling drink that is prepared extensively on the bash of Holi: Thandai. Relatives are visited and everyone makes merry with folk songs as well as dances.
Traditionally, the exuberant activities would be carried with water aromatised and tinged with flower petals. This dye is known as ‘gulal’. Mesmerising blurs of red, yellow, blue, and so on carrying the message of exhilaration and harmonious coexistence. Each colour has its own special relevance to boot, for instance, green represents rebirth or new beginnings. Furthermore, individuals are seen attired in traditional outfits such as a light-coloured salwar kameez or kurta. All around revellers don themselves in fabrics of delicately-woven chikan, silk, and cotton.
Other than a day of rejoicing, Holi is a day to rid oneself of past pessimism, bury the hatchet, welcome a new season of freshness, and blossom with the flourishing beauty around one. It involves experiences of truly letting go. This vivid day serves many purposes, but most important of all is that it recognises the paramountcy of agriculture, spring, and fertile land.
Vital for a healthy body, colours permeate all aspects of life. Dousing oneself in a myriad of hues stimulates the heart. A sense of joy blankets everyone when surrounded by the bright community festivities of Holi.
However, Holi has somewhat become an environmental hazard. The across-the-board commercialisation of Holi has led to the use of chemically prepared dyes. Synthetic colours often contain broken pieces of glass, chemicals, and varied pesticides. Common complaints of rashes, burning sensations, hives, and other skin infections arise soon after the festival. These colours might enter one’s eyes, too, causing irritation, or sometimes, more serious ailments. The nature of the pigment is deleterious to helpful bacteria present in the soil withal. The air quality bears the brunt of the baleful effects of the increased release of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
Not only could the synthetic colours be harmful, but the loudspeakers utilised for music also cause noise pollution. These loud sounds are perilous to animals, infants, and the elderly. Highly toxic dyes used may seep into the ground, polluting the soil and muddling the water table. The widespread use of latex water balloons can be another source of perturbation. They are not easily biodegradable: especially if made up of human-made rubber.
Acute water shortage is faced by many regions of the subcontinent. On an average, 150 lakh litres of water are wasted per five lakh persons every year during the festival. Chemicals mix with water only to drain into the rivers, and consequently the seas, creating a highly noxious combination. The wastage of water doesn’t just take place on the application of colours. Although that is the principal contributor, even the removal of the dyes gives rise to the squandering of the natural resource.
On the other hand of the ramifications lies the cultural importance of the festival. It brings denizens together and brings glows to lives. Instead of resorting to the use of synthetic colours, we can opt for traditional, floral colours and play a dry Holi to curtail pollution, the wrecking of the ecosystem, and other, numerous effects.
By: Aditi Garg
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