Finally comes that day of the year, when the day is enjoyed
by throwing colours and splashing coloured water at each other in a playful
mood. As fun loving people, Goans enjoy themselves to the fullest with
integrating colour in their life on Holi. Regardless of religion, people from
different communities get together in colonies and wards to celebrate Holi. On
the previous night before Holi, huge bonfires are lit by the Hindu community to
commemorate the burning of the demon Holika and people dance and sing around
the fires. The next day is all about celebrating life. There are many legends
and myths which surround the actual reason for the festival, however, the most
well-known is of the miraculous uninjured escape of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord
Vishnu from a fire, which was intended to burn him to death in the lap of his
aunt.
There is an interesting legend behind Holi festival.
Hiranyakashyap was a proud king who ruled over his kingdom and commanded
everybody in his kingdom to worship only him as he felt that he was greater
than God. However, his son, Prahlad, believed that God created the universe and
was greater than his father and refused to worship his father. Hiranyakashyap
tried several ways to kill Prahlad since his own son was against him but
Prahlad’s devotion to God was unmatched. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika,
who was blessed with the gift that fire would not harm her, entered a blazing
fire with Prahlad in her lap. Seated in the fire, Prahlad kept praying to God.
After the fire was burnt out, Prahlad was saved and Holika paid the prize for her
evil desire with her life.
After burning Holika, the devotees return home to signify
that they have burnt the evil intentions like anger, ego, greed and jealously
and they are renewed with a humble and good attitude with the continuous praise
to God. The next day begins with great joy for life filled with colours just
like the heaps of colour that are kept ready to play for the festival. There is
also a significance to the colours that holi is played with. Red is for strong
blood ties, pink is for love, green is for greenery and yellow is for healing.
However, when it comes to the elders, holi colours are first applied to their
feet while taking their blessings and then if they allow the colours are
applied to their face.
The traditional Holi colours were extracted from plants like
turmeric, neem and Palash and therefore had several positive health benefits.
Retracing the origins of these organic colours, faculties and students of
Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre (DMC), Assagao, have prepared
a thousands of kilogram of organic and non-toxic natural organic colours from
flowers and herbs. The eco-friendly colours were created using natural
materials, like turmeric, bixa seeds, indigo leaves, advised by the Holi colour
team led by Dr Rajesh Pednekar.
“Last year, the project was taken up by a few faculties and
students of the college on a pilot basis with the preparation of just ten
kilograms for research purpose. Looking at the demand for the colour, we
distributed free samples and received a great response which encouraged us to
go big this year. The sale is bumping and we are very happy with the project as
we prepared a thousand kilogram this year,” says Dr Prabhat Dessai.
The college has collaborated with GoVan project of Goa State
Biodiversity Board. The faculties and students have also trained women’s
Self-Help Groups (SHG) in preparing the colours in the adopted villages of the
college such as Hassapur and Chandel. A workshop has also been taken up for
women from Govan Multiprocessing Centre of Goa State Biodiversity Board which
will enable the women to earn an additional income during Holi.
A working team headed by Dr Prabhat Desai, along with other
faculty members Dr Umesh Gawas, Dr Sinthiya Gawandi, Dr Sudesh Morajkar, Dr Ram
Gawas, Dr Vruta Kadkade, Dr Abhijit Shetgaonkar and Dr Dipesh Harmalkar worked
on this startup. To celebrate Holi, make sure to take care of your skin.
Moisturize your skin before heading out to play with colours, avoid throwing
colours in the eyes and rinse the face with plain water and then use a
cleansing lotion.
