You are Varun / Vartika, residing at 189 A/ 65 Vidya Nagar, New Delhi. Your pen- friend living in
U.K had asked you to describe one of the festivals in India. Write a letter to him describing an important
festival you have celebrated recently.
Answers
As a country of numerous cultures, ethnicities and faiths, India celebrates countless festivals in its calendar throughout the year. Among the most largely known festivals, we find Holi – in simple terms the celebration of colors but as we dive a little deeper, Holi seems to bring with it a plethora of meanings and historical, cultural and traditional significance.
Holi, to some people, is the festival of love shared by Radha and Krishna – a form of love that needs no specific name, form or shape. To others, it is a story of how the good in us always emerges victorious over the evil. While for many others, Holi is an opportunity of fun, frolic, forgiveness and compassion. Spread over three days, the Holi rituals begin with the destruction of evil symbolized by a bonfire on the first day and celebration with colors, prayers, music, dance and blessings on the other two days. The primary colors used represent various emotions and elements like blue for Lord Krishna, red for fertility and love and green for new beginnings.
The festival of Holi finds a place not only in our real life but also in art, media and music as various songs, movies and shows mention Holi with diverse forms and references. More often than not, people embrace this occasion to wipe memories of hurt and anguish and replace them with brotherhood, kindness and enjoyment. People across the barriers of age, generations, caste and creed become a part of the celebrations in all their colors.
In recent times, the spirit of Holi has lost its charm due to the excessive use of intoxication, artificial and potentially harmful color and other irresponsible incidents. It is, thus, necessary to keep the “fun” alive but also preserve the festival for what it signifies – love, happiness and the sustenance of good over evil!