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Holi, the Festival of Colors
Holi, The Festival of Colors presents a wonderful opportunity for art teachers to use bright colors in their art lessons. Colored powders can be created to create powder paintings (similar to sand paintings). Paintings can be created to illustrate the history of the Indian holiday.
The Festival of Colours, (also called Holaka, Phagwa, Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi) is a popular Hindu spring festival observed around the world. Holi is a time when humans and nature shake off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors of spring. The holiday is primarily observed in India, Nepal, and countries with large Hindu populations such as Suriname, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius and Trinidad. In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav. The annual festival is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna. That month is March in the anglo calendar. In 2009 Holi was celebrated on March 11. In 2010 it will be celebrated February 28. The most important day, Holi, is celebrated by Hindus throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. The Holika Dahan (or Chhoti Holi) is celebrated by lighting bonfires.
Lord Vishnu killing King Hiranyakashipu as a half-lion, half-man. (Artist unknown)
The legend that is commemorated by the festival involves an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. He told his son, Prahlad, that he was not to worship the god Vishnu but to worship him instead. Prahlad worshipped Vishnu anyway. The king became angry and poisoned Prahlad. However, the poison turned to nectar in Prahlad's mouth. The king ordered Prahlad to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. Finally, he told Prahlad's sister, Holika, to put Prahlad on a pyre over a fire on her lap. It was believed that Holika would be immune from the fire due to her magic shaw. Prahlad prayed to Vishnu (Now called Lord Krishna) to keep him safe. Prahlad was unharmed by the fire, while Holika burnt to death. The king declared that she would be remembered from that point on Holi. Later Lord Vishnu took the form of half-man and half-lion (Narasimha) and killed King Hiranyakashipu at dusk on his porch steps by restraining him on his lap and mauling him with his claws.
There are alternate legends to the festival. In one, a Hindu god called Lord Shiva was tempted by Madana, the goddess of love, when she appeared in front of Shiva in the form of a beautiful nymph. Shiva recognized her and became angry. He shot fire out of his third eye and burnt her to a crisp. This is an additional reason for the bonfire during the celebration.
Holi is also associated with the love between Radha and Lord Krishna who was reincarnated from Vishnu. The reason why Hindus smear powdered paint on their faces is because it is said that Lord Krishna was jealous of Radha's darker complexion, so his mother told him to smear colors on his face to change his appearance.
Indians celebrate Holi with a bonfire, throwing colored powders and yelling. Note the colored powders in the foreground. Bright colors make this an excellent holiday to create bright works of art.
In most places across the world, the holiday is celebrated over two days. In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days. The holiday represents the loosening of social restrictions and norms. The holiday thus brings together people of all castes, sexes, status and age. Calm and polite behavior is thrown out the window as much merrymaking and wild behavior takes place. If anyone becomes offended during the holiday, many Hindus will say, "Bura na mano, Holi hai ("don't feel offended, it's Holi").
Prahlad praying to Vishnu while in the fire. (Artist unknown)
On the evening of the first day of Holi, they hold the public bonfire called Holika Dahan. Hindu boys bring firewood to the bonfire and light it between 10:00 PM and the rising of the moon. Everyone gathers around the fire and shout, curse, and to some, create general mayhem. During Holi, colored water and powders are thrown or applyed to faces and clothing. For those who celebrate the holiday over five days, Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities.
Colors are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors. Recently, many of the colors are now made synthetically. Traditional Indians are not happy with the artificial colors and believe everything should be kept pure.
Because everyone loves a festival, Holi is catching on with non-Hindus. In the UK and US, there are now many Holi festivals celebrated at universities, Hindu temples, and community centers. Because of the use of bright colors, the food, and letting go of inhibitions, the holiday is a popular one among young people.
There a plenty of activities for teachers that will address kinesthetic activities for children. One idea is to fill balloons with colored water, rather than plain water, and have a water balloon fight. Students can paint each others’ faces with lots of bright colors. White T-shirts, can be colored with fabric paint in splattered patterns. Hold a dance, and let the kids have colored powders available to throw on one another (You don't want to do this in your classroom!). Make sure everyone wears old clothing so there is no worry about color stains. Check out this article for how to make the Holi colors safely and naturally. Cook some traditional Holi dishes- they will also add flavor to your colorful party. An important part of this celebration is to wish people well with cards. Students can create Holi cards by painting colorful scenes onto thick white folded paper.
