Holi - Our Traditional way of celebrations.

Holi - the festival of colors is around the corner, so just thought of posting this thread.

Holi is celebrated with a lot of pomp and glory in the Udupi district... I am not sure if down south in DK and in Kasargod this tradition is followed. This is one dividing line between the traditions that we have. The basic idea of this thread is to bridge this information gap about this tradition. There are a lot of intellects in this group who have seen this tradition themselves; they shall be the main contributors to this thread.

Also in the festival gives us a small peep into the social life that might have existed at the time of our movement into DK & Udupi... this will be very valuable to understand our past.

Hoping this thread creates a lot of interest, and gives us a good insight.

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Some in formation that Asha has shared from her experience -

Holi, a spring festival, celebrated on the day after the full moon in Palguna (Feb to march)every year. Holi is a festival to celebrate 'good harvests & fertility to the land'. Inhabitants of coastal area in dakshina kannada, Udupi, celebrate Holi in a special manner. Let us go to the world of Holi which we are celebrating in my native place Cherkady(Udupi Tq). "Shigmo" Marati word for Holi. Maratis are organised in a small group identified as 'Koodukattu' or 'Koodalike'. All decision regarding Holi, is taken in the presence of Koodalike. Heads of such groups are called as 'Gurkar' or 'Gaonkar'(Incharge for group of families which comes under one Koodukattu) . Usally Holi celebrated near the house of a Gaunkar called 'Koodukattu Mane'.They cultivate a (Tulasi) basil plant in front of their house adore it as TulajaBhavani, Bhasmeshwari or Durgadevi.

At a particular time on Palguyna Suddha Dashami, members of these communities assemble for celebrating Holi. After all people have arived, the Darshina pathri takes a holy bath and make himself ready for offering pooja in front of Tulsi. He decorates the coconut and offers pooja with Doopa, Deepa and Arthi. All the members touch the coconut, Gurikar of the koodukattu hold the decorated Cocunut on his head and circumambulate the Tulasi five rounds. All other members follow him beating 'Gumte' (musical instrument made of mud which s having wide opening mouth wrapped with dried lizards skin), Jagate, kolata sticks, eymbals(Thala) and kept on the Tulsi, pray for successful completion of the five-day holi festival.

The trained dancers are called as 'Khele'. They wear a dress called Neriangi, Pyjama, 'Mundas' decorated with shining Thread called as 'Jhari',and one peacock feather, and a colorful flower garland especially 'kanakambar and surgi flower'. Khele suppose to giveup drinks, haircutting, wearing slippers on these five days.
; ;

During the dance(Shigmo kunke)usually they sing songs from myths like Ramayana and Mahabharatha which contains the discription of vasantha ruthu. One 'Gumte Gani'(Song during the Holi dance).

The song as follows

"Dhasharanthu Maharayak Ranujak,
Thigajana Puthholya,
Thigajana Puthholya Ranujak,Chauhajan Puthhole.
Chauhajan Puthhole Ranujak
Chauhajan Puthhole Ranujak pattabandela
Pattabandoo Ranujak Sharavalo Ranigalo.
Kaike, Kausalya,Dadonu Dele Bharatank Pattanth
Rama swamik Dadonu dele Aronya honannth
Bharathani Rajele Swamik sinthyani Sovvale...Thaiii"

[A small piece of secene from Ramayana describing Dhasharathas sons Pattabhisheka]

In middle of the Shigmo Kunke young dancers come front and start to dance called as 'Ghade Nach'. At the moment the 'Mutthaide' (Chaste woman) of the house welcome these dancers by washing the elder 'Khele's feet and he will bless her and her family , head of the family offer grains, coconut, Vilya, and money. In the group one person is appointed as 'Montkari' who recieve special respect and carry all this gifts during the kunke.

After the Gumte dance will go for 'Khati bodonche''KOlata'. All dancers stand round holding kolata sticks in their hands & start to dance singing songs like:

"Barik ini konigo Gonthalli,
Sadanani gathalle Venire sadana.."

This process will continues for 5 days & comes to an end on the full moon day(Holi Hunnime). All the dancers,their families assemble in the Koodukattu place and start to dance before Tulasi and once again start to cercumambulate the tulasi & exchancge respect among other members. The dancers take off their costumes musical instuments & will go to take bath in nearby river. When these dancers return, Chaste women spreading fire on the ground waiting their arrival with 'arati'. Dancers have to jump across the fire, after that chaste women will carry out the 'dristi'(to neutralise the evil eyes). This ritual s called as 'Kama Dahana'. Finally 'Pathri' puts down d coconut. All will have meals together & pray for happiness.

Before Holi fest all the male members of the Koodkattu will go for hunting during day. Atleast one male member from the house should present during hunting. On the same night they gather together and will discuss about the Celebration of Holi fest and will prepare and share the food which they hunted. This gathering is called as 'Poon' in Marati. After Holi also they go for hunting and once again prepare varaities of food and share it according to the

number of males in the house and one in the name of house. This is again called as 'Tharle(big) ' Poon' in Marati. We can say this togetherness as the sendoff to the Holi fest...

What happens the grains & stuffs collected during the HOLI kunke???????? The grains & stuffs which they have collected used to prepare meals on the last day of the Holi. The grains which is left over after the preparation of the meals will be keep aside. After some (2 or 3 days) they will assemble once again in 'Koodkattu mane' the interested persons can buy the grains. The amount collected after selling the grain used for the development or improvement of Koodukattu mane.

This is what Holi fest clebration in my place Cherkady (udupi Tq) which i have put up in front of you people. And one more thing... the holi celebration varies from place to place.

Asha C
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[ Still expecting some contributions so as to have this information more profound.... Mod ]