Fun and frolick, soaked in colour

I know for sure that my life is currently under the influence of a powerful conglomeration of planets working in a cartel formed in cosmic space. I can also vouch that these planets are the most vengeful and aggressive ones ever known to our astrologers, for what else can explain the fact that I had to go to office on such a 'made-for-fun' day.

Thankfully, I managed to wind up around mid-day and could return home. All along the way back, the sight of groups of colour soaked people cheered me up quickly to the festive mood. Even at spots where there was no one, the pools and puddles with 'can-you-find-my-shade' colours reminded everyone of what had happened there.

The people waiting at the bus stand looked tired and their appearance, right from each strand of hair till the soles of their shoes, was broadcasting their morning escapade with colour. There was silver, green, yellow but mostly it was red and pink. They have had their fun and their faces had that most unbelievable expressions but fun seemed to pour out from every single pore. I am sure that even if an empty bus were to stop there, none of them will sit down. They would definitely stand laughing at each other all through to their destination.

Down the road, a group of boys and girls were laughing at each other standing around a coconut vendor. The coconut in their hands was the only thing about them that was of single colour. Otherwise, their dress, hands, feet, the bikes and scootys and even their teeth were all telling the frolicking abandon with which they had played. There is no doubt that the revelry will continue once the tender coconut water manages to refresh them.

Along the way, entrances to most homes had that beautiful mixture of myriad colours bearing witness to the sheer fun people had visiting houses and colouring everyone around. Vibrant colours, painted faces and multi coloured people moving around in groups; Joy, laughter and great fun!

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Wow! What a bright and youthful canvas the holi brings to our life! Though I am from Tamil Nadu where Holi doesn't carry much of a punch, years of working outside the state had rubbed me off with wonderful memories of this festival. This is one of those festivals celebrated across barriers of state, religion and language.

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Over a period of time, most of the traditions around holi would have died down but the gaiety and bonhomie that it brings about has never failed to impress any fun loving individual. There is supposed to be the burning of holika to symbolises Prahlad's triumph but the image of Krishna, Radha and the Gopis playing with pichkaris is the one that seems to be more acceptable for the sheer youthfulness it portrays. Most of the Krishnas and the Radhas I saw today on the road did not carry pichkaris though. The city roads too appeared festive wearing a cocktail of colours.

And then I reach home...the concrete parking lot I left in the morning was now so brightly wet and colourful with various sizes of bare feet imprinted all over it in different directions...I can almost feel the groups waiting to pounce with buckets in their hands...I take the vividly coloured steps that had become slippery due to paste, powder and anything people managed to lay their hands on...and peep in to look at familiar faces with unfamiliar textures...no prizes for guessing what happened next.

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Wish you all a fantastic Holi!