Monday, April 15 2002
Holi in Braj Bhoomi (The Land of Eternal Love)
- Neerja VasishtaNeerja Vasishta is presently on a Rotarian Ambassadorial Fellowship for the year 2001-02 studying regional development and city planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She hails from New Mexico, USA, and had an impressive inning in art promotion at Nicarguan Cultural Association. Neerja is also visiting many grassroot organizations in India during her stay. She doubtlessly has a great ability to capture the life of a given situation on a piece of paper and her deep underlying current of artistic inclinations have inspired a delineation of Mahabalipuram. Neerja is currently on a tour visiting Chennai, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Tumbakonam, Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Trivendrum, Kochi, Mangaloer, Coimbatore and Bangalore.
We hope to publish more such reports of her impressions of the Dravidian splendor! Her earlier articles are at: Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram.
Gods on Earth: The Temples at Gangakondacholapuram and Dharsuram
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I hadn't really celebrated Holi until just this year. I found that it is definitely one of those holidays that is dependent on its environment and the festive atmosphere around it. I mean think about it: you can't really go around throwing colored powder and water randomly onto passers-by anywhere else; not to mention that once having done this, your victim would ensure that your fun quickly came to a close. In India, however, it's a different story. I ended up in THE places to be for Holi-the towns of Mathura and Vrindavam, in Uttar Pradesh. If you're not familiar, this was Krishna's stomping ground, and He is still one of the most famous players of Holi.
But since this festival is about color, I'll leave the talking to the photos:
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Men in White: no pleading look will save you from being colored; wearing white is an invitation for attack!
Rickshaws succumb to the clouds of red dust ready to envelop them and their passengers.
One of many important business transactions that occur on Holi.
The devilish side of visitor Sabina Maez gets the best of her as she buys some yellow gulal.
Even the most serious student or youngest family member can't refused a colorful tikka.
Weeks of sweeping after Holi will only get the floor to a rosy pink.
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