Holi in Shantiniketan

What a blast this holiday was! We dressed in lovely yellow spring saris. I was excited to participate in the procession with the other students from Visva-Bharati University. Unfortunately, we arrived late so that the procession had already started and I couldn’t find my partner. I had my sticks, but just watched. Then, a friend came by with his sticks, and he needed a partner. So, we joined in. The song (translated) goes like this:

Oh people! Break open the doors!
There is a spring stir!
On the soil, in the water, in the forest, there is a mad, spring stir!
A ruddy, wild laughter in abundance everywhere
Amongst the ashok and paulash flowers.
An intoxication amidst the clouds of the morning sky
With new leaves leaving a bright splendor,
Break open the doors, open the doors!

The flute murmurs over the south wind in the forest
The butterflies dance gleefully in the grass
The honeybees return to their flowers
While their wings play a rare tune of the bina
The madhobi flower sings to the melody of the breeze An invigorating aroma envelops all around
Break open the doors, open the doors!

Radha and Krishna are linked with this tradition of colors during Holi. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion was jealous of his beloved Radha's fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied color on Radha's face. Following this ancient legend, lovers long to color their beloved as an expression of love.

Basant Utsav
In Shantiniketan, 'Basant Utsav' is celebrated. The tradition was reintroduced by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Students joyfully welcome Spring, the season of hope not just with colours but with songs, dance, chanting of hymns in the serene ambiance of Shantiniketan.

Dol Purnima
On the Dol Purnima day in the early morning, the students dress up in saffron-coloured clothes and wear garlands of fragrant flowers. They sing and dance to the accompaniment of musical instruments presenting an enchanting view to the onlookers and a memory to cherish for years.


After the procession, everyone gathered in an open field to watch dancers on stage. My neighbor was performing, although I could not tell which one she was. After the dancing, groups began to open their pouches of powder and throw the color into the air or rub them on people’s faces, saying Happy Holi! Most of the people were very respectful, but there were rowdy groups of boys. The social work department students were great at protecting us from the troublemakers and keeping us safe and having fun. They all gathered in a group to sing and dance together. Then, the group dispersed and joined other groups. We joined a tribal group with drums and danced with them. The powder continued to flow, and by the end it was in my ears, trapped in the folds of my sari, in my eyes, and hair. It was an awesome day!