The Trend of Holi Colours – Natural to Synthetic to Organic

Abeer and Gulal are the names for traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or Dhulendi. This coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers.

The process of making natural colours involves gathering flowers from trees, grinding them, and mixing them with water to produce orange-yellow Holi water colour. Abeer is made from natural coloured talc and has always been very popular as a Holi colour. Another traditional Holi object now rarely seen is a red powder filled in Lakh bowls which are broken to spread colour on everyone. Since the past few years, all of us had lost touch with natural colours and synthetic or artificial colours are being increasingly used on Holi.

Naturally made colours like abeer and gulal have been in use since people started playing Holi. These colours have been understood to be safe for skin and for general health of a person. In the recent times though, there had begun a trend for using synthetic colours which were also more permanent. These colours were also harmful for use.

The recent trend has made people choose naturally made organic Holi colours. Now most people are adopting safe and alternative organic colours to have fun on Holi.

Traditions of Holi 2010

Holi is a festival that speaks of trust, love and goodwill. This is probably the reason that all its traditions are also representative of this feeling of brotherhood and the victory of good over evil.

Holi Milans or Baithaks
Many days or sometimes weeks before the actual Holi-day, people sit together and sing Holi songs in Holi milans. Hori are the special type of Holi folk songs which are also sung in these musicals.

Holi Bonfires
Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi. The day is also popularly called Chhoti Holi or Small Holi.

Songs and Dance
This festival of colours is played in most parts of the country. Apart from the usual tradition of playing with coloured powder and water, Holi also involves fun filled processions of folk songs and dances.

Exchanging Gifts
There is a popular tradition of greeting each other with Holi gifts like Holi colours and traditional Indian sweets like Gujiya, Gazak, Mathri, Malpuas and Dry fruits on Holi.

Bhang ki Thandai and Sweets
Making and drinking bhang ki thandai (an Indian milk shake) is another very popular custom of Holi. Bhang is made from female cannabis or hemp plant, it can be understood to be a homemade drug. People also mix bhang in sweets and other preparations being offered to guests.

Holi Colours
Abeer and Gulal are the names for Holi colours. These are the traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or Dhulendi.

This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010.

Holi – The Springtime Festival of India

Also known as Vasant Utsav or Spring Festival, Holi marks the onset of Spring in India. This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010. Based on the regional influences there are many names with which we know this festival of colours. Some of these are Dhulendi, Rangpanchami, Basant Utsav, Dol Purnima, Hola Mohalla, Lathmaar Holi, Shimgo, Kaman Pandigai and Phagu Purnima.

Singing and dancing on the beat of dholaks is one of the integral parts of any holi celebration. People drink bhang ki thandai and exchange popular Indian sweets and dry fruits as holi gifts. Sweets and mithai include gujiya, puran poli, dahi badas, papads, kanji, mathri, malpuas.

It is also customary to greet each other with 'bura na mano holi hai' before acting completely naughty and pouring colours on each other. Enmity is forgotten on this festival and people make it a point to visit and greet everyone alike.

Contrary to popular knowledge holi festivities last many days.

Holi Milan or Baithaks
Many days prior to Holi, people take an active part in Holi Milans. These are musical soirees or gatherings wherein folk songs related to the festival are sung. The epic love story of Radha Krishna features prominently in these songs. The special type of songs, which we all know as 'Hori' are sung as well.

Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan
On the eve of holi celebrations begin with the custom of Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfires. The word Holika Dahan in Hindi language means burning down of Holika. It signifies the victory of good over evil. The day is also popularly called 'Chhoti Holi'. The word Holi has also originated from the word Holika.

Badi Holi
Holi celebrations reach a peak on this day. People wear light coloured clothes and play with holi colours on Dhulendi. It is customary to wet each other thoroughly with water and water colours using a pichkari on Holi.