Each year before Holi,
some friends in Goa have an annual
conversation that goes along these lines. Rajesh gets in touch with Viraj whjo
might send a text to Sachin, a call might then go to Vijay who in turn will
wonder what Pradeep is doing, knowing very well that he too has holi on his
mind. During this whirl of activity, Lloyd Braganza of House of Lloyds will be
asked to move his rear and haul himself to the Pine tree shack in Candolim.
And virtually each year, this little Goan
shack becomes an almost impromptu celebration of folks for whom holi is big in
the states and cities they once lived in and who call Goa home. And their Goan
friends celebrate holi with as much gusto, much like homes of people and other
resorts and shacks are.
Deepa George who has lived in Goa for
several years now said she did not celebrate it herself but her sons who were
both in primary school would certainly do so in a school group. With now so
many north Indian families living in Goa, she said the culture was certainly
spreading and her boys would certainly play. She also said “I have seen several
foreigners being part of the celebrations”.
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For Pradeep Varshnei it is a very
important festival. Now in Goa to set up a manufacturing plant, he has been
here for a couple of years, living in Uccassaim. For him it means getting
family and friends around and having a gala time. Pradeep said “The first year
we came here, it was a party at home with family, now it is a full-blown party
with bonfire, food, friends everyone. We invite everyone. It is a typical North
Indian dhamaal event. It will be held at a shack and it will be a riotous
affair.”
For Goan Dr Sweta Gandhi who is married to
a Maharashtrian, Holi is a festival that means the family comes together and
relaxes. It is a time when all stress is forgotten. She said “After all the
puja and the prayers are completed, it is time to enjoy, throw colours, eat
good food, visit friends and families and catch up with reconnect. I am aware
of the other aspects of the festival like alcohol and bhang, we do not indulge
in it.”
That does not seem to be a problem for Vijay Jhangiani, who just
returned from Mumbai, with special large jaleebis which are consumed on holi.
He said “I have been here for seven years and this time, we will all be meeting
at a shack and we will then start partying. And all that goes with holi will be
partaken”, he says with a boyish glint in his eyes.
Jyoti Saxena will celebrate Holi as a typical North Indian. It
will mean organic colours, great food with family and friends. Invites have
been sent out to a lot of people. Fellow punjabis, kannadigas, malayalis have
all received invites and yes Goans too. Jyoti said “We let our hair down on
such occasions and family and friends around is there a better opportunity”.
Perhaps the final word should go to Mona Malovalia Crisanto, a
sardarni married to a Peruvian and now living in Goa for five years, the
festival will be a great opportunity for her children to get messy at the five
star resort party and play with water pistols. More importantly interact with
other children and have fun and yes eat some great food.
Everyone
joins in on the great Goa holi-thon.
