MUMBAI: The festival of colours, Holi, is celebrated across the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. And interestingly, the festival is celebrated in incredibly different ways with uniqueness by each Indian state with a beautiful blend of different cultures and traditions. In sync with the festive spirit of Khushiyon ke har rang &TV ke sang, &TV artists talk about how the festival is celebrated differently in their hometowns. These include Varanasi native, Vidisha Srivastava (Anita Bhabi, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai), Kolkata native, Mouli Ganguly (Mahasati Anusuya, Baal Shiv), Delhite, Pawan Singh (Zafar Ali Mirza, Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai?), Indorian, Kamna Pathak (Rajesh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), Rajasthan native, Kapil Nirmal (Tarkasur, Baal Shiv), Mumbaikar, Akansha Sharma (Sakina Mirza, Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai?), Bihar native, Saanand Verma (Anokhe Lal Saxena, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai), Punjab native, Charrul Malik (Rusa, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan) and Gujarat native, Soma Rathod (Ammaji, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai).
Taking about Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh, Vidisha Srivastava, who recently entered &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai as new Anita Bhabi, shares, “Holi is one of the biggest festivals in Uttar Pradesh revolving around the legend of the love and romance of the celestial couple Radha and Krishna. The Holi celebration happens in various ways in different cities. In Mathura, it’s a one-of-its-kind, “Lath Mar Holi,” played in the compound of the Radha Rani Temple. Thousands of people gather there to witness this Holi when women beat up men with sticks (lath) as those on the sidelines become hysterical and sing popular Holi songs and chants Shri Radhey, or Shri Krishna. In Kanpur, Holi lasts seven days and is filled with colour. The last day is commemorated with a grand fair called the Ganga Mela, or the Holi Mela. In Varanasi, known as Shiv Nagri, Holi starts with Holika Dahan (the great bonfire to celebrate the victory of good over evil) and Ganga Ghaat, filled with beautiful Holi colours. Drenched in colour, people enjoy the festival, and the most special part of the celebration is enjoying Thandai with Gujia. The whole occasion is celebrated on such a grand scale and with so much enthusiasm that one cannot miss it. I wish everyone Happy Holi! May this celebration fill your life with happiness, health and joy”. Mouli Ganguly, essaying Mahasati Anusuya in &TV’s Baal Shiv, shares, “Back in my hometown, Kolkata, we celebrate Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima, which is like Holi, and people celebrate it more traditionally. This festival is stretched over two days, while the entire country wraps up the festivities in a day. Dol Jatra is known for its festive colours and is reminiscent of the divine romance of Lord Krishna and Radha. As we travel through the roadways to the cities of Kolkata, you can cherish the mesmerising view of trees flooded with Gulmohar and Palaash flowers. The Dol tradition starts with applying Abir (Gulal) on the feet of the elderly who plan to visit Shantiniketan to celebrate Basant Utsav. Typically, my favourite part is that Mishti Pulao and Gujiya are prepared for consumption during Holi. I will miss the Holi celebration this year. But I will try to prepare a few delicacies to soak in the festive spirit. Happy Holi to everyone! Pawan Singh, essaying Zafar Ali Mirza in & TV’s Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai?, shares, “Being in a metro city, we can see Delhi is an amalgamation of cultures and traditions. The Holi celebration often starts with the “Tilak” tradition, where a mark of colour is drawn on a person’s forehead to symbolise honour and represent confidence. On the eve of Holi, bonfires, or Holika, are lit in the city’s important centres to celebrate good over evil. Delhiites celebrate the holy day with endless music and are perceived to have a “musical Holi.” The major parties happen in Delhi during Holi when people move out in groups and apply colour until they become unrecognisable playing with colours peaks up in the residential colonies, as people usually do not go out with their families beyond their neighbourhood. It is always fun to celebrate Holi in Delhi, and this year I will try my best to visit there and enjoy the Holi celebration. Wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holi”. Kamna Pathak, essaying Rajesh in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “Madhya Pradesh is a land of celebration, and Holi celebration continues here for two long days. On day one, a bonfire is organised by the different temples. On day two, the real fun begins as people bid goodbye to winter and welcome the new season by colouring each other with colours and sharing sweets like Gujiya and laddoos. Singing, dancing, and the traditional beats of Dhol add to the occasion’s gaiety. Five days after Holi, Rang Panchami is celebrated by the tribal community of the state. I adore my hometown, and I enjoy celebrating Holi with my Madhya Pradesh-based family and friends. ”
Kapil Nirmal, essaying Tarkasur in &TV’s Baal Shiv, shares, “In Rajasthan, the Holi celebration is quite different from other states. Apart from playing with colours, the rituals and customs around Holi make it a notable attraction in Rajasthan. You get to treat yourself with Bhang, Thandai, or feast on authentic Holi cuisine like Paneer Laungatta, Mirchi Papad, Ker Sengar, Gatte Ki Sabzi, and Pakoda Kadi. There is a platterful of offerings to match your taste buds. But it’s the stories, customs, and traditions from centuries that make Rajasthan’s Holi different. The major Holi events happen in different cities, like Mali Holi, Gair Holi, Dhulandi Holi, and Dolchi Holi, grand and royal celebrations. The state is known for its Royalty, and the entire experience can be glorious and grand, from their attire to cultural programs. I wish everyone a Happy Holi, and may this Holi bring you happiness and joy”. Akansha Sharma essaying Sakina Mirza in &TV’s Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai?, shares, “In Maharashtra, celebrating Holi is celebrated with great pomp and show. There is a tradition of burning Holika that symbolises the victory of good over evil. The next day is Phalgun Krushnapaksh Panchami, also called “Rangapanchami”. Gulal and watercolour are used while playing Holi. The festival is very popular among the fisherfolk, as they celebrate the festival by singing, dancing, and cooking tasty delicacies to offer to God. “Puran Poli” is one of the most famous delicacies prepared during Holi. It’s a sweet paratha filled with a mixture of jaggery and split-grain, and I love it! Talking about Mumbai city, it looked more vibrant and colourful that day. Many celebrity Holi parties are held throughout the city, allowing people to celebrate the festival with their favourite actors. The whole festive vibe of Holi fills my heart with immense joy. I wish everyone a Happy Holi! ” Charrul Malik, essaying Rusa in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “We Punjabis are known for celebrating Holi in our style. In Punjab, they call it “Hola Mohalla,” where they shout their hearts out and follow the unique tradition. There is also a show of martial arts, especially Kushti’ playing with colours. The mouth-watering delicacies people usually prepare includes halwa-puris, gujiya, malpuas and raw jackfruit preparation. Holi announces the arrival of spring, with the warm weather and bright sunshine urging one and all to celebrate. After the morning of playing with colours and energetic dancing to the beats of dhols, the evening is a time to relax and exchange stories of fun. I always feel immense joy when celebrating this occasion. Wishing everyone a very Happy Holi.” Saanand Verma, essaying Anokhe Lal Saxena in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “Holi’s celebrations in Bihar are most amazing and grand. As we all know, the Holi folk songs of Bihar are popular in India. People address Holi as “Phalgun” there. On the evening of Phalgun Poornima, people light up the Holika pyre, which rids them of problems and evil spirits. They apply an ubtan made from mustard seeds and oil on their bodies and scrub them. Later, the abstract is put in the same fire (Holika Dahan) with the thought that all your diseases will also burn in the fire. People there believe that it is the festival where one must end their conflicts by applying colour to each other to grow friendships. Holi is played with colours, water, water balloons, and folk songs. Usually, the celebration stretches for two days at most to enjoy it. Every household prepares various delicacies like Dahi Bhale, Malpua, and Kachori. Also, people consume Bhaang or Thandai with other sweet dishes. I thoroughly enjoy the celebrations in my hometown and try to be there during festivities. Have a happy and safe Holi!” Soma Rathod, essaying Ammaji in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares,” In Gujarat, Holi is celebrated for two days. On the first day’s evening, people light a bonfire and offer raw coconut and corn to it. The second day is called Dhuleti, or the festival of colour, during which people sprinkle coloured water on each other and apply colours. Dwarka, the famous coastal city of Gujarat, celebrates Holi at the Dwarkadheesh temple with music festivities and comedy programs. In Ahmedabad, a pot of buttermilk is hung on the street, and young boys try to reach it and break it by making human pyramids, while girls try to stop them by throwing coloured water on them. However, in some places, there is a custom in the undivided Hindu families that the women beat their brother-in-law with her sari rolled up into a rope in a mock rage as they try to drench them with colour, and in turn, they bring sweets to her in the evening. The festival is celebrated their full zeal and zest and love it”.
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