Dear Editor,
Historically, One Guyana joins with the rest of the world in celebrating the happy, holy and harmonious Holi holiday this week, an event that commenced since the “planting of the Holika” and continues for days after Tuesday, the official day to play Phagwah.
The festival of colors, love and Spring unfolds itself in the story told about King Hiranyakashipu, with the aid of his sister Holika, attempting to put an end to his young son, Prahalad who stands up for truth, and being an ardent devotee of Shri Vishnu, who himself manifested as Narasimha, to counter the protective boon given to the King.
Prahalad’s personality personifies the strong faith in a Supreme Being (Lord Vishnu-Narayan) and his unwavering belief that in the times of evilness, the Unknown One becomes known as the savior who comes to rescue His devotees. The lesson learnt simply is that, good eventually conquers bad and the Law of Karma always prevails.
Children should be taught to: love a higher power who looks after all, to attend the church, mosque or mandir from a young age, to know their scriptures and to be brave and bold to respect the law, attend school regularly and to be honest.
Hiranyakashipu poor judgement, his ego, pride, nescience and smartness, led him to his downfall when he became shortsighted and too cocky and sure of himself. There is always an oversight to allow any leader who gets carried away with power to be led into a pitfall. Such shallow leaders forget that false discernment has a shelf life and what goes up must come down!
Do not try to fool people, do not make half promises, do not provide empty cups, clever words, abstract talks or swankiness. The evil that men do will live after them and what you sow you will certainly reap. Leaders should fulfill their commitments faithfully, honestly and transparently without any conditions, compromises or contingencies.
In India, the celebration of Holi coincides and comes at the end of Winter when people welcome the advent of Spring. The joy and festivities go hand in hand with those of the ways of the religious event. The comradery greetings, the offerings made as thanks to Mother Nature, the expression of songs and dances, the friendly playfulness with water, abeer, abrack, powder and perfume, the preparation of sweets and food and the sharing of same, all these events highlight an annual custom which has become traditional.
Holika’s powerlessness against her own strength and boon also underlines a greater power who decides and demarcates the thick line of righteousness over unrighteousness. When power is misused and converted to attain the wrong things, that power is evidently denied and destroys the deceptive one who feels that he or she is untouchable.
The sweet, melodious and enchanting singing of chowtal with the vociferous voices and the playing of the tantalizing dholak and ringing jaals, add to the merriment of Holi, the impression of a unified togetherness, the expression of love and sincerity and the willingness to live in a cultured upbringing. The lyrics personify the beauty of the livelihood of Krishna and Radha, a tale of Ram and Sita’s devotion and the ambience of Shiva’s presence.
The songs, skits, savoring and sceneries, embrace the rightness and richness of a historical past which adumbrated our ancestors’ simple but significant past time from their Motherland, gifted to generations to follow from their sacrifices, selflessness and submissiveness. Our social leaders should always practice this principle with sobriety and not be carried away with any aloofness.
Phagwah’s pronouncements must never be taken for granted, regarded lightly or treated with scant respect. The high moral values conceptualized behind the observance and playing of Holi, must be executed in the true sense of its significance with the pride of a proud follower of dignity, honesty and loyalty for purity, perfection and practicality.
This international acknowledgement of the Hindu Holiday of Holi, has an international flavor and globally favours its deep-seeded repercussions which translate to: breaking barriers of unfriendliness, forgetting and forgiving, crossing the bridge of happiness, reining and roping in peace and joy, planting the seed for productivity and prosperity, progressing from nescience to knowledge, cognizance of limitation and liability , lighting up the path away from darkness, rising with the nature of goodness and accepting the law of rules and regulations to always be on the right side.
Let this year’s Holi festivities usher in our lives, the brightness of the all-pervading powerful sun, the calmness of a brilliant full-moon and the fulfillment of the rising tide from a roaring sea.
Do have a happy, safe and enjoyable Phagwah Guyana.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.
