Holi@2200 Hrs at BIM

The motto of BIM is value based education. That includes appreciating and celebrating our rich culture. India is known for its numerous festivals across its length and breadth, ranging widely in practices and traditions. And each is built strongly upon a lush historical legend.

The legend goes that when all of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son, Prahlad, failed. finally, he ordered young Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika, who could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. Prahlad readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as the shawl flew from Holika, who then was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed, after the shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.

The Holi, the festival of colours, brings with it promises of newer colours in life every year and sees the States in the north and west make merry and let loose to celebrate with the vibrant colours.

Holi, is celebrated with aplomb every year at Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy. Students bring out the traditional colors and play with great enthusiasm and vigour. This year was no different. Students of the 22nd and 23rd batch let down their hair and doused each other in rich colours as they luxuriated in the spirit of Holi. As a change this year, Holi celebrations took place in the night this year.

The evening arrived and as it struck seven, the air was filled with an unmistakable spirit of excitement and sounds of joy and greetings. The play began slowly with the fewer plucky ones venturing out to slap shades and dyes on each other and exchange hugs of greetings. Soon, the field was awash with mini rivers of colours flowing zigzag and students covered from head to toe in variant colours, exchanging greetings.

‘Rang barse…bheege chunar wali..’ came the line from the evergreen song, echoing the spirit of Holi. The pulsating and energetic music, that started up only added to the air of festivity. And was soon followed by animated dancing and shouts of laughter. Soon more voices joined in with the music. Interspersed was the repeating clicks of many a camera, as some students took on the role of photographers, capturing the many moments filled with colour and smiles.

After a bout of playing and running around, all gathered around to end the celebration filled night with traditional snacks of kalakand, jalebi, kachodi and kesar mithai. As the tired students trooped back, one voice was heard singing, “Rang barse…bheege chunar wali..”..the spirit..of colours..of Holi.