By Jennie Soh
MIRI: The Indian community here recently celebrated Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours.
On that day, the Indians welcomed their guests by smearing coloured powder on their face and splashing coloured water on their clothes.
Just like other Malaysian festivals, Malaysians of other races also joined the small Indian community in the celebration, highlighting unity in diversity.
It was especially enjoyable because it brought together various communities.
Holi is celebrated the day after the full moon in the month of Phalguna (usually in March).
Originally, the festival is known as Utsav of “Holika’ or “Holikotsav”.
The central ritual of Holi is the throwing and applying of coloured water and powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name “Festival of Colours.”
“Holi” comes from the word “hola”, meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest.
Holi is celebrated every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved and they who torture the devotees of God shall be reduced to ashes a la the mythical character Holika.
“Holi” festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, brought about by burning and destruction of the demons named Holika. This was enabled through unwavering devotion to the Hindu god of preservation, Lord Vishnu.
“Holi”got its name as the “Festival of Colours” from Lord Krishna, a re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who liked to play pranks on the village girls by drenching them in water and colours.
People spend the day smearing coloured powder all over each other’s faces, throwing coloured water at each other, having parties and dancing under water sprinklers. Bhang is a paste made from cannabis plant and is also traditionally consumed during the celebration.
Holi is spread out over two days (it used to be five, and in some places, it is longer).
Holi Festival lovers will be thrilled to know that it is possible to make simple natural colours in their own kitchens. Following are some very simple recipes to make natural colours:
1) Yellow—Mix turmeric (haldi) powder with chick pea flour (besan).
2) Boil Marigold or Tesu flowers in water.
3) Yellow liquid colour—Soak peels of pomegranate (Anar) overnight.
4) Deep Pink—Slice a beetroot and soak in water
5) Orange—Red paste Henna leaves (mehndi) can be dried, powdered and mixed with water
