Though the ways of celebrating Holi have changed in recent years, the celebration of Holi in Kumaon continues to reflect the vibrant and rich local culture of Uttarakhand. Apart from the colours, it is the folk songs — many based on classical ragas — folk dances and customs which lend a special touch to this celebration of Holi.
Kumaoni Holi has its origin in the Kumaon division, but it is celebrated in different parts of the country by the natives of the Kumaon region who have kept their Holi traditions alive.
A 74-year-old senior citizen of Almora, Paan Singh Joshi informed The Pioneer that the celebrations of Kumaoni Holi do not just depict the victory of good over evil but more importantly, it marks the end of the winter and the beginning of the sowing season which has always been an important period for farmers. The Holi in Kumaoni tradition is celebrated in two prominent variations — Baithaki Holi and Khadi Holi. He said, “Baithaki Holi begins from Vasant Panchmi and ends on Dashmi of Phalgun month, while Khadi Holi commences from Ekadashi of Phalgun month and ends on Poornima. The day after Poornima is celebrated as the last day of Holi which is called Charradi. The men generally wear white kurta, pajama and topi and the women wear sarees during the celebrations.”
Joshi added, “Baithaki Holi, as the name suggests, is celebrated in a seated position by Holyars (people celebrating Holi) singing folk songs recounting the tales of Lord Krishna and how he celebrated Holi at Mathura with Radha and his friends and family. The subjects of the songs based on gods and goddesses like Shiva-Parvati, Ram-Sita and Hanuman are also sung by Holyars. Dhol, Huruk and Damau which are an indispensable part of the celebration are also played by them.”
In Khadi Holi, Holyars traditionally gather in a circle in a courtyard or an open area and sing folk songs and play traditional musical instruments like Dhol, Huruk and Damau and move together in sync dancing to the song, added Joshi. However, there is also a fixed pattern of singing these folk songs which adds to the charms of the celebration, said a Pithoragarh resident Richa Bisht.
She said, “During Holi celebration, there is a chief holyar who sets the tone of the song by singing the intro and main verse while the rest of the Holyars sing the song in chorus.”
Nainital resident Namita Suyal said Baithaki and Khadi Holi are being celebrated at least for over a century while Mahila Holi, which has now become an important part of the Kumaoni Holi and celebrated only by women, became popular only in the past two decades. She said that in the modern world where people are in a constant race to do well at any cost professionally and personally, Kumaoni Holi celebrates the joy of togetherness and gives the people a sense of oneness.
“It is not easy to keep the tradition alive when the younger generation tends to stay away from old culture and traditions but I am glad, many young people have been attending and learning about Kumaoni Holi and celebrating it wherever they go in their life,” said Suyal.
