Kochi gets coloured!

KOCHI: Chants and cheers arose from the huge gathering of devotees as priests performed holi pooja and lit the symbolic fire (Holika Dahan) at various temples in Kochi, marking the beginning of ‘Holi’ in the city.“Holi symbolises the victory of good over evil.It celebrates the happiness that arose when Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad and killed his aunt Holika when she tried to burn Prahlad,” said C P Jain, president of Kerala North Indian Cultural Association’s Ernakulam wing.With the festival of colours arriving with a sprinkle of rain and lots of splash, the potpourri of North Indian population in the city celebrated the occasion with much fervour.“The North Indian community in Kochi is a mixture of people from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar and the like.They keep their culture alive by celebrating their festivals as they would back home,” said Jain.However, he added that this years holi would be a tad different as the association would be using all natural colours.The celebrations will continue for two days till Thursday.The Bangla community celebrated Holi a little different.“We did not burn bonfire, as open spaces are lacking and the paddy husk that is used in the bonfire is not available here.Even the special holi powder ‘abir’ was not available in the market,” said Nibit Purkayastha, trustee of Kerala Banga Samaskriti Sanga.Meanwhile, the Punjabi community made the event a small family affair.“We wished each other in the family by putting colours.On Saturday we have organised a feast too to keep the traditions alive,” said Bunti Singh, a businessman.Treat to TastebudsAs is the case with any Indian festival, Holi would not be complete without special delicacies.“Mithai (sweets) and Thandai are the main delicacies of holi,” said Aswin Kumar.“After playing holi everyone rejuvenates by drinking Thandai which is made using poppy seeds, badam, rose petals and pepper,” said Syam Sundar Agarwal, a businessman residing in Kochi for the past 25 years.Other snacks such as jilebis, ice-creams and an exotic lunch or dinner are also prepared during holi.Missing coloursEven when holi is celebrated in their own levels in the city, all the non- Malayali people miss their native place’s holi celebrations.“In North, holi is celebrated in much bigger way. Everyone forget all the enmity on this day. Here the celebrations are calm and quiet.We are confined to a particular space,” said Shyam Sundar. Most of the people had to even buy the colours from Bangalore as holi colours were not readily available here.Nibit also feels the same, “We have to go to office on holi.No official holiday is announced for us,” said Nibit who also celebrates Onam and other Kerala functions with equal fanfare.As Thursday is a working day in Kerala, Punjabi and Marwadi comminuties have postponed the holi celebrations to March 10.