MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Pradeep Lawande
It should not surprise anyone if a day named “Thieves’ Day” is celebrated in holi festival. This is because; the above mentioned festival primarily brings out vices present in human beings. It is true that virtuous events such as singing, dancing, throwing colours and worshipping deities are also performed in holi or shigmo. But compared to other festivals, the different undesirable qualities in human beings come to the fore in holi celebration which lasts about a fortnight.
Shigmo begins with holi. Holi means Holika, sister of demon King Hiranyakashipu and aunt of innocent Pralhad. This wicked demoness did not lose any opportunity to kill young Pralhad who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Thus holi is a symbol of evil. This is why it is buried. In some parts of our country, it is burnt. Many vices raise their heads in shigmo festival.
One of the days of the holi celebrations is reserved for thieves and it is called ‘Thieves Day’. This day is observed at many places in Goa. On this day a group of 30 to 40 young boys smear dark colours over their bodies and they dress up like thieves. Then they enter the village in the evening making big noises at the beats of dhols. On their way, they steal fruits on the trees and chicken from under the baskets. People respect the tradition of not scolding or objecting these thieves on this day. Villagers give warm welcome to the thieves and offer them coconut bits, fruits and drinks. May be that in order to give free expression to the desire of stealing that this day is observed in the shigmo ceremonies.
There is a song of an old Hindi film. It’s essence is that all people in this world are thieves. The wordings are : is duniya me sab chor – chor. Some steal poultry, some steal money and there are some who steal others’ hearts! Some believers have given superior status to this inferior term ‘thieving’.
Thus they lovingly call Shri Krishna as ‘thief of Gokul’! Nevertheless all the religions in the world regard stealing as a sin. Valya was a high thief at one time. But sage Narada’s words converted this thief into Saint Valmiki.
Like in stealing, many people are seen indulged in enjoying the drinking of wines and bhang and even in smoking opium in this festival of colours. Usually, in north India, the participants drink bhang. In Goa, there is no dearth of alcoholic drinks. In addition, a wonderful drink named ‘urrak’ arriving just at the time of this joyous festivity receives warm welcome.
It is believed that abuses and curses prove ineffective in shigmo. Therefore, those who are at the receiving end of these offensive words are not worried. Any Dr Jekyll can enjoy of becoming Mr Hyde in this 2 week long holi celebrations.
True, one day in shigmo is celebrated as “Thieves’ day”. But to-day all the days of the year seem to be thieves’ or rather robbers’ days. And these robbers do not steal fruits and poultry. They rob vast properties, forests, waters, powers, ores and even fodder meant for cattle. And the value of their loot is worth billions of rupees!
