Yesterday mid of endless official phone calls suddenly my Mother appears on the phone screen. Having her picture set against the number, she would keep appearing with a smiling face.
I replied..Yes, Maa. Mum has specific topics, either a reminder that I must not forget to bring her medicine, or she may have suddenly received many sms and scared if anyone stealing her money from her bank account, and I need to be informed or may be just to enquire when do I think will return home. But no. This call wasn’t on any such usual points.

She says, achcha listen I would like to play Holi with the ladies in the society and when you return, get some faag.

Stopped all work. A literal pause. With an utter surprise… said what..?? you wanna play Holi..?? Are you sure? She assured. Yes, yes, I can. I will. We all ladies in the society will play Holi. Her enthusiasm connected me to her joyous yesteryears on this day.

Bisu is all set wearing a white base Kurta, Pajama. By eleven in the morning he is ready with his packets of Gulaal, and would wait for his wife Suprity to get ready, then they are out in the locality and visit each neighbour’s house and with that all ladies and gents would come out and indulge in the play of Faag. There would be giggling all around, ye, mujhey aur nahin.. Arey Sarkar da ko jaane mat do. Laal gulal le aao, girls boys running helter skelter.. Screaming aloud. Someone would hold the person from back and three-four would pour the gulaal and raas bhari raang. And yell Bura na Mano.. Holi Haii.. The whole atmosphere of love would amplify the happiness in the air.

Bisu thus enjoyed Holi with his wife Suprity around, young girls would come running. Dada, some Aabir, no no not to Me.. Put on Suprity and he will laugh aloud. Suprity’s enthusiasm also wasn’t less. She would prepare Maalpoa (a sweet made with a mix of maida, milk and kheer, adding some raisins) and as the crowd would reach her house, after exchange of Faag and some photography session, Suprity would bring plates full of Maaalpoa, Woow.. Its so sweet, so tasty..

To feel the essence of Love, something which this celebration is all about, I did not have to go far in search of Radha and Lord Krishna and their companions. Brij was around me. And the bonding of love was seen in my parents through the branch of those bright pink flowers of Bougainvillea.

Holi sets the tone, Holi spreads Love through the molecules of faag.

She would giggle looking at you, hold your arm, her beautiful hands would run through the forehead applying the loving Pink, and with a giggle she would whisper.. Holi haai. Someone up in the air will play a Sehnaai, the tune of Raag Basant Bahar. The high tide of emotion would overflow on the beach of love, golden sunny lights would flick through the leaves. Lord Krishna seated under a banyan tree with faag all over his body with a mystic smile on his face. Holding the flute in his left hand. Orange turban on his head making him exceptionally handsome. Around him Gopiyaan dancing in a circle and afar Girija Devi ji singing a Chaiti… aaj Briraj mein Holi re rasssiya…

Aaj Holi haai, Holi haai to Pyaar hai. Pyaar hai to ye Dil Rangeen hai. Aaj Holi Haai.

#digitalillustration #holi #Brij #Pyaar #utpalsheartzout

Facebook post on 20th March 2021