Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Sunday turns a `funday'

T.Saravanan

Thunderbolts `brings in' Holi mood in advance in Temple City

JOY UNBOUND: Youths pouring colour water during a Holi celebration in Madurai on Sunday. — Photo: S. James

MADURAI: It was a colourful celebration with youths spraying powders and water in myriad shades on each other. The occasion was to celebrate Holi festival. The very sight of people having fun created a rejuvenating experience.

The festival actually falls on March 15. Since it is a working day, members of the Thunderbolts, an association of youths belonging to Gujarati Community in the Temple City, deemed it fit to freak out in advance on Sunday.

Even before the holiday mood could set in, the members of the association gathered at the S.D.H. Jain Vidyalaya. Music was also played to suit the occasion. Soon, they filled the whole area with colours.

"Generally, we use `Ghulal', which is red in colour, and `Abeer' powders. They are prepared from natural seeds. Since the colour is not artificial it does no harm to the body. The powder is also mixed with water and sprayed through the instrument `pichkari'," said Manjari S. Shah, secretary, Thunderbolts.

Popular legend

Though there were several legends associated with the festival the most popular one responsible for spraying colours was that Lord Krishna, who had a dark complexion, was jealous of his soul mate Radha's fair complexion. Young Krishna lodged a complaint with his mother Yashoda about this injustice of nature. Just to pacify him, Krishna's mother asked him to apply colour on Radha's face and change her complexion according to his choice. Mischievous Krishna appreciated the idea and implemented it. The game of applying colours thus gained popularity that it became a tradition and later turned out to be a full-fledged festival.

"The festival is celebrated by all. It masks all differences and stresses unity among the public. It is followed by the drinking of special recipes like `Bhang' and `Thandai' prepared exclusively for the occasion," said Hapin K. Lalan, president, Thunderbolts.

Totally drenched in colours the cheerful mood of the people reflected the spirit and verve with which the festival was celebrated making it a memorable occasion for the participants.

Moreover, the colours added life and vitality to the festival, making it one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in the country.

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