“Phagwa is much more than gulal and abeer; it is building family love and strong communities.” Those are the words of Alderman Gowtam Maharaj, Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC) who is known for his passion in presenting opportunities for families to spend quality time together.
Speaking at his Debe Head Office, Gowtam was happy that he took the initiative to revive Phagwa at the Petrotrin Ground in Clarke Road, Penal. “For more than twenty years the Phagwa in Petrotrin ground has been in exile and is a necessity for sound community development. Phagwa was started by Mr Bridgelal Bachue of Panduranga movement in Rock Road and expanded to the then Trintoc ground in Clarke Road by the Hindu Jawaan Sangh in 1977 and managed by the Rock Road Hindu Youth Organization with individuals such a Deo Seerattansingh, Bissundath Gopaul, Maniram Mohess, Ramnanan Gopiesingh, Kasturie Seeraj, Shanti Seeraj among others. The annual Phagwa celebration went on for almost thirty years before its demise. The revival of this venue twenty years later is testimony to the resilience of the people of Debe/Penal.
Shrivranie Maharaj and her husband, Pandit Dayanand of Mohess Road, attended the Phagwa and was so happy that the celebration was back. Shrivranie remarked: “I grew up at Penal Junction and always enjoyed Phagwa. When I arrived at the venue I felt a joy within me. The Phagwa brought back childhood memories.” Shrivranie observed that “the program was not only well attended but also well-organized and coordinated.” Councilor Sarah Sookdeo who coordinated the PDRC’s Phagwa 2025 learned from the first promoter and chowtaal singer Mr. Bridgelal Bachue who is now ninety-three years old. The PDRC’s council and staff provided round the clock support to ensure success.
Kanhai Harry of Barrackpore attended the program with his wife and two children. “I am very happy that after so many years, our chairman was able to bring back Phagwa at Clarke Road.” Phagwa also provided the opportunity “to meet with so many friends who I have not interacted with for many years.”
Dr. Narindra Roopnarine of Latchoos Road was also high in praise of the revival of Phagwa at Clarke Road. “It was great and several of my patients I met at the celebration said that it brought back fond memories,” said Dr. Roopnarine who also noted that there were more than twenty Phagwa choirs gracing the stage. He added that Phagwa strengthens social bonding and the “touching of one another’s faces in the smearing of gulal builds love and trust among participants.”
Also high of praises for the revival of Phagwa at Clarke Road was Sharon who runs a stall upstairs Penal Market. “It was one of the best things in Penal/Debe,” Sharon emphasized. “I took my grandchildren. I want them to know what is Phagwa. I did not want to go to Palmiste. I want to celebrate in Penal which is my home.”
Chairman Gowtam stressed that the sustainable evolution of a society must take into account the “intangible social dynamics and such dynamics are embodied in the practices of the people, the traditions of the people, the beliefs of the people, the food of the people.” He continued: “The rice, sugar and petroleum industry have all gone and even Quinam Beach where the Orisha and the Hindus would visit for religious activities is now inaccessible due to the poor condition of the roads. Quinam was the one beach where fathers who didn’t even have a dollar in their pockets would carry their children during the August holidays and return in full satisfaction.”
With this objective Gowtam has directed the PDRC to place much emphasis on creating avenues for families to meet and socialize. Councilors spearheaded the provision of toilet facilities and well-kept green spaces at the Digity Mud Volcano Site and the Picnic Site at Tulsa Trace. “During the Carnival, many families opted for those places and the PDRC’s staff ensured that their stay was comfortable,” said one visitor.
And on the street survey to get the response of the public on the idea of reviving the Penal Phagwa revealed that “many couples found their spouses at the Petrotrin Phagwa venue.” Gowtam related the story of Radha and Krishna where Krishna felt that Radha had a superior appearance to him and the idea came about to smear her face with colors so that she would look equal. The concept of social equality is a very much needed attribute for a progressive society and is achieved by the Phagwa as the complexion of our skin and cost of our dresses are neutralized by the colors, thus blurring social inequalities.
Also gracing the program were Kamla Persad Bissessar SC, Leader of the Opposition and MP for Siparia and the Indian High Commission – Dr Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, Dr. Roodal Moonilal-MP for Oropouche East, Dave Tancoo- MP for Oroupouce and Dr Allan Sammy, former Chairman of the PDRC.
