Institutionalisation of Phagwah in America

Dear Editor,
The spirit of Phagwah has traversed a great distance from India where it originated to the Indian diaspora globally including Guyana where it is a holiday.
Phagwa has been transplanted in New York over the last three decades and is now being celebrated in Florida, New Jersey, Bronx, Ft. Lauderdale, and Toronto, among other North American cities with great enthusiasm. The vibrancy of the festival is cherished by Indo-Caribbean everywhere (and also enjoyed by others) and hence its public observance in places alien to Indo Guyanese Hindu culture. A phagwah parade Culminating with a large gathering is the star attraction of the festivities. The parade and celebration associated with Phagwah are institutionalized in the psyche of the Indo-Caribbean population with some people from other ethnic groups also partaking in the festivities in NY. People eagerly look forward for the festival which has been transplanted by Indian (Hindu) immigrants from Guyana, Trinidad and Surinam and has become an institution in the Richmond Hill community, Bronx, Jersey City and elsewhere. Without a parade, there is no Phagwah celebration because there would be no public avenue to celebrate the joyous festival known for its vibrancy of colors. The parade has gained recognition in Queens and Bronx, elsewhere if not in the wider city with politicians offering assistance to help pull it off; mainstream media report on it. Politicians and community leaders march in it. And the police provide guidance and protection for the marchers. Thus, congrats are in order for the conceivers, founders, planners and organizers of the annual parade which was initiated in 1990 by Kalicharran, Ramlalll, Dr Satish, Yashpal Soi, among others.
The parade has brought people together. Everyone who played a role in starting the celebration should be recognized and applauded for his or her contributions never mind that they are divided and fail to see they are hurting the community through their division.
It is a great disappointment that the parade was not held last year and this year. The festival was celebrated with fervour, zest and gusto among the several thousands who showed up for the parade annually for thirty years. Peoples’ clothing were dyed with hues of a spectrum of colours. Hugs and embraces were exchanged. Revelers thronged the streets and the park smearing faces with coloured powder and sprayed abeer to celebrate the festival of color and joy, which heralds the advent of spring. People hugged each other wishing “Happy Holi” as a dozen floats made their way with groups singing and dancing behind to the accompaniment of drums or loud chowtaal music.
The meaning of Phagwah is to bury differences and organizers have resolved conflicts to come together to plan the celebrations. Lord Krishna and Swami Dayanand preached that message. Unity would help in achieving a lot of goals and objectives for the Guyanese community whereas infighting would defeat the purpose of having organizations. With greater unity in the community on observing festivals, politicians would come forward to provide greater assistance to them. Let me take this opportunity to applaud the organizers of the parade for their hard work. I hope they will use their unity to help empower the community politically through the large number of people who celebrate the festival.
I, therefore, urge Guyanese community elders to work together to strengthen the community.

Yours truly
Vishnu Bisram