Home Top Stories “We must be humble enough to understand the true nature of life”...
…as kaleidoscopic Guyana unites for Holi 2022
By Rupadai Seenaraine
In true Guyanese celebration of Holi, a splendour of multi-coloured faces on Friday emerged in all parts of the country as the festival manifested in its full grandeur.
When the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, it dampened the celebration of Holi and other observances. Following this two-year hiatus, persons were eager to get back into the celebratory mode and spared no efforts to revel in the multitude of colours.
The fabric of the Guyanese people is woven from threads of several cultures and when there is a bout of celebration, a unified nation emerges. It was invoked as villages and people from all walks of life ushered in the festival, smearing colourful powders on each other and conveying wishes for the auspicious season.
Wearing bright smiles and decked out in sharp whites, persons were out at the crack of dawn in their lively gaiety, seeking to drench their neighbours and villagers. The exchange followed preparations of Indian sweets and more comradery, as both the young and old capitalised on the excitement.
The Indian High Commission in Guyana kickstarted their observance in the early morning hours, and was attended by President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips; former President Donald Ramotar; the Diplomatic Corps; Government Ministers; Opposition members and other officials. They were treated to pieces of cultural singing and dances synonymous with the Holi period.
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa expressed that Holi has now become a significant part of the Caribbean, having being brought here by indentured immigrants since the eighteenth century. He added that it denotes a festival of love, joy happiness, unity, renewal and triumph.
“It is also a festival in India that commemorates a good harvest and also salutes the fertile land. We celebrate Holi to not only spread joy and happiness but to commemorate the victory of good over evil…It is not only a festival of colours but a festival of love,” the diplomat shared.
He was pleased with the celebration, which extended beyond ethnicities and nationalities, as it signals strides to break societal barriers which exist.
Dr Srinivasa underlined, “There is a saying in the Sanskrit language that says ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘the world is one family’. I can sense that this congregation signifies that particular meaning; unity in diversity…I can see it has brought together the people of Guyana and we’re proud of its citizens who have joined here beyond the barriers of race, ethnicity, religion and colour”.
Indulging in the festivities, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was nestled in the crowd to partake in the festival, underscored the importance of cherishing moments, especially after two years of living in a pandemic where freedom and such gatherings were limited.
“After more than two years, we can understand how important life is and how important cherishing moments in life really is. When we’re cherishing moments in life, it is not about cherishing moments of our individual life but more importantly, cherishing moments of our country’s life and our world as a whole…It is when we cherish these moments, erase all negativity surrounding these moments and understand the significance of these moments, that we’re able to enjoy life and find more meaning to life,” the Head of State voiced.
His message also delivered a charge for Guyanese to love, give and be kind to one another; while sparing some thought to reflect on significant issues that are facing other nations today.
“We must be humble enough to understand the true nature of life is in giving and if we give a little bit more, I can assure you that the world will have less problems. Our world is faced with many difficulties today and we cannot celebrate without sparing a moment of thought for those who are faced with such difficulties, whether it is extreme poverty, hunger, lack of water, war. As we celebrate, we must spare a moment of good thought,” Ali affirmed.
In India, Phagwah is seen primarily as the welcoming of spring after many winter months and also the ending of the Hindu calendar in the month of Phalgun or March. However, other stories which depict goodwill over evil are also linked to this festival, a prevalent one being the tale of Prahalad and his father, King Hiranyakashipu.
The story unfolds when Hiranyakashipu was granted a boon that made him practically immortal. As such, he demanded that the dwellers of his kingdom worship him instead of God. Prahalad, however, refused to do so which resulted in many efforts by the king to kill his son.
The king had a sister called Holika who could not be harmed by fire, so she was ordered to sit in a pyre with Prahalad so that he could be killed. This backfired and she was burnt to ashes while the young boy escaped unharmed.
For this, it is customary that 40 days before Holi is celebrated, a tree representing Holika is planted and burned in the form of a bonfire on the eve of the festival, signifying the destruction of evil. The Holika Dahan ceremony is usually witnessed by worshippers before the celebration of the spring festival the following day.
As the day unfolded, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha also organised its annual Holi Utsav at the Everest Cricket Club; bringing together singing, cultural dances, and scores of families. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport added to the festivities with a grand event at the National Stadium, Providence.
By Rupadai Seenaraine
In true Guyanese celebration of Holi, a splendour of multi-coloured faces on Friday emerged in all parts of the country as the festival manifested in its full grandeur.
When the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, it dampened the celebration of Holi and other observances. Following this two-year hiatus, persons were eager to get back into the celebratory mode and spared no efforts to revel in the multitude of colours.
The fabric of the Guyanese people is woven from threads of several cultures and when there is a bout of celebration, a unified nation emerges. It was invoked as villages and people from all walks of life ushered in the festival, smearing colourful powders on each other and conveying wishes for the auspicious season.
Wearing bright smiles and decked out in sharp whites, persons were out at the crack of dawn in their lively gaiety, seeking to drench their neighbours and villagers. The exchange followed preparations of Indian sweets and more comradery, as both the young and old capitalised on the excitement.
The Indian High Commission in Guyana kickstarted their observance in the early morning hours, and was attended by President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips; former President Donald Ramotar; the Diplomatic Corps; Government Ministers; Opposition members and other officials. They were treated to pieces of cultural singing and dances synonymous with the Holi period.
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa expressed that Holi has now become a significant part of the Caribbean, having being brought here by indentured immigrants since the eighteenth century. He added that it denotes a festival of love, joy happiness, unity, renewal and triumph.
“It is also a festival in India that commemorates a good harvest and also salutes the fertile land. We celebrate Holi to not only spread joy and happiness but to commemorate the victory of good over evil…It is not only a festival of colours but a festival of love,” the diplomat shared.
He was pleased with the celebration, which extended beyond ethnicities and nationalities, as it signals strides to break societal barriers which exist.
Dr Srinivasa underlined, “There is a saying in the Sanskrit language that says ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘the world is one family’. I can sense that this congregation signifies that particular meaning; unity in diversity…I can see it has brought together the people of Guyana and we’re proud of its citizens who have joined here beyond the barriers of race, ethnicity, religion and colour”.
Indulging in the festivities, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was nestled in the crowd to partake in the festival, underscored the importance of cherishing moments, especially after two years of living in a pandemic where freedom and such gatherings were limited.
“After more than two years, we can understand how important life is and how important cherishing moments in life really is. When we’re cherishing moments in life, it is not about cherishing moments of our individual life but more importantly, cherishing moments of our country’s life and our world as a whole…It is when we cherish these moments, erase all negativity surrounding these moments and understand the significance of these moments, that we’re able to enjoy life and find more meaning to life,” the Head of State voiced.
His message also delivered a charge for Guyanese to love, give and be kind to one another; while sparing some thought to reflect on significant issues that are facing other nations today.
“We must be humble enough to understand the true nature of life is in giving and if we give a little bit more, I can assure you that the world will have less problems. Our world is faced with many difficulties today and we cannot celebrate without sparing a moment of thought for those who are faced with such difficulties, whether it is extreme poverty, hunger, lack of water, war. As we celebrate, we must spare a moment of good thought,” Ali affirmed.
In India, Phagwah is seen primarily as the welcoming of spring after many winter months and also the ending of the Hindu calendar in the month of Phalgun or March. However, other stories which depict goodwill over evil are also linked to this festival, a prevalent one being the tale of Prahalad and his father, King Hiranyakashipu.
The story unfolds when Hiranyakashipu was granted a boon that made him practically immortal. As such, he demanded that the dwellers of his kingdom worship him instead of God. Prahalad, however, refused to do so which resulted in many efforts by the king to kill his son.
The king had a sister called Holika who could not be harmed by fire, so she was ordered to sit in a pyre with Prahalad so that he could be killed. This backfired and she was burnt to ashes while the young boy escaped unharmed.
For this, it is customary that 40 days before Holi is celebrated, a tree representing Holika is planted and burned in the form of a bonfire on the eve of the festival, signifying the destruction of evil. The Holika Dahan ceremony is usually witnessed by worshippers before the celebration of the spring festival the following day.
As the day unfolded, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha also organised its annual Holi Utsav at the Everest Cricket Club; bringing together singing, cultural dances, and scores of families. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport added to the festivities with a grand event at the National Stadium, Providence.
