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Holi -History
Holi in ancient India From Kama Sutra to the Vedas playing with colours has always been part of Holi festivities
In his commentary on the Purva Mimamsa Sutra-s, Shabara, (c. first few centuries CE) there is an objection that the festival of Holaka is to be celebrated by easterners alone. Shabara then answers that the festival is to be celebrated by all 'Aryas'. This indicates that at some point of time, the festival of Holi was widely prevalent in eastern India and was not so common in the other parts of the country.
Holi in the Gatha Sattasai
Several verses in the Prakrit work Gatha Sattasai by Hala (first century CE) are associated with the Holi of colours. As an example, one verse (4.12) describes the failed plan of a nayika (heroine) wanting to throw coloured powder on her beloved:
"Holding coloured powder in her fist and thinking I would throw it on my beloved, she was (so) anxious with joy that the powder turned into coloured water in her hand (due to sweat)."
In another one (4.69), the heroine has been splattered with mud:
"Somebody (your lover) adorned you with mud, which is acceptable during the Phalguna festival. But why are you washing it again after the sweat oozing from the mouth of the water-pots in the form of your bosom has already washed it?"
Here again the heroine is sweating, this time due to her love towards the hero who has splattered her with mud.
As per the commentary by Bhatta Mathuranatha Shastri, the verse indicates that splattering with mud is not considered deplorable during the festival of Phalguna (Holi).
The riot of colours in Ratnavali
We come across a vivid description of the royal celebration of the festival of Kamadeva (Madana Mahotsava) with throwing of coloured water and coloured powder in the Sanskrit play Ratnavali. The play is attributed to Harshavardhana who ruled Thaneswar in the 7th Century CE. A poetic dialogue between the Vidushaka and King Udayana in the first act describes Kaushambi's riotous and colourful scene. With some differences, the description can also fit a modern-day Holi celebration.
Vidushaka: "Behold the beauty of this festival of Kama. Excited by the festival, women have snatched the water-syringes. They are spraying water on the men of the city. The men are dancing, giving rise to festive gaiety. There is loveliness in the ends of streets which are resonating with the sound of charchari songs independent of the beating of drums. The directions are coloured by the masses of scattered red powder (abeer)."
King: "Ah! The delight of the citizens is reaching its zenith. Heaps of red powder, as red as powdered saffron, are scattered and the day appears like the dawn. The crowns of Ashoka trees are lowered by the burden (of flowers) and are glittering like ornaments made of gold. As is apparent from the appearance (of its people), Kaushambi city has surpassed all the riches of Kubera (the God of wealth) with its grandeur. It appears yellow all around, as if its citizens have been covered with liquid gold. The courtyard is flooded all-around with water being released continuously by the syringes (or fountains). There is play (frolic) in the mud where people step quickly and heavily. The pavement of the city is made red by people stepping with their feet which are red from the colour of vermillion that is falling from the (wet) cheeks of the young women who move about freely."
Vidushaka: "May my dear friend also see the sportive play of the courtesans which is made pleasant by their hissing sounds when the clever men spray water on them with their water-filled syringes."
King: "In this darkness caused by the scattering of red powder, the crowd of bons vivants is only dimly visible by the rays from their ornaments and jewels. Their raised water-syringes are shaped like the hoods of snakes. The crowd reminds me of the Patala (the netherworld of snakes)."
Holi in ancient India From Kama Sutra to the Vedas playing with colours has always been part of Holi festivities
In his commentary on the Purva Mimamsa Sutra-s, Shabara, (c. first few centuries CE) there is an objection that the festival of Holaka is to be celebrated by easterners alone. Shabara then answers that the festival is to be celebrated by all 'Aryas'. This indicates that at some point of time, the festival of Holi was widely prevalent in eastern India and was not so common in the other parts of the country.
Holi in the Gatha Sattasai
Several verses in the Prakrit work Gatha Sattasai by Hala (first century CE) are associated with the Holi of colours. As an example, one verse (4.12) describes the failed plan of a nayika (heroine) wanting to throw coloured powder on her beloved:
"Holding coloured powder in her fist and thinking I would throw it on my beloved, she was (so) anxious with joy that the powder turned into coloured water in her hand (due to sweat)."
In another one (4.69), the heroine has been splattered with mud:
"Somebody (your lover) adorned you with mud, which is acceptable during the Phalguna festival. But why are you washing it again after the sweat oozing from the mouth of the water-pots in the form of your bosom has already washed it?"
Here again the heroine is sweating, this time due to her love towards the hero who has splattered her with mud.
As per the commentary by Bhatta Mathuranatha Shastri, the verse indicates that splattering with mud is not considered deplorable during the festival of Phalguna (Holi).
The riot of colours in Ratnavali
We come across a vivid description of the royal celebration of the festival of Kamadeva (Madana Mahotsava) with throwing of coloured water and coloured powder in the Sanskrit play Ratnavali. The play is attributed to Harshavardhana who ruled Thaneswar in the 7th Century CE. A poetic dialogue between the Vidushaka and King Udayana in the first act describes Kaushambi's riotous and colourful scene. With some differences, the description can also fit a modern-day Holi celebration.
Vidushaka: "Behold the beauty of this festival of Kama. Excited by the festival, women have snatched the water-syringes. They are spraying water on the men of the city. The men are dancing, giving rise to festive gaiety. There is loveliness in the ends of streets which are resonating with the sound of charchari songs independent of the beating of drums. The directions are coloured by the masses of scattered red powder (abeer)."
King: "Ah! The delight of the citizens is reaching its zenith. Heaps of red powder, as red as powdered saffron, are scattered and the day appears like the dawn. The crowns of Ashoka trees are lowered by the burden (of flowers) and are glittering like ornaments made of gold. As is apparent from the appearance (of its people), Kaushambi city has surpassed all the riches of Kubera (the God of wealth) with its grandeur. It appears yellow all around, as if its citizens have been covered with liquid gold. The courtyard is flooded all-around with water being released continuously by the syringes (or fountains). There is play (frolic) in the mud where people step quickly and heavily. The pavement of the city is made red by people stepping with their feet which are red from the colour of vermillion that is falling from the (wet) cheeks of the young women who move about freely."
Vidushaka: "May my dear friend also see the sportive play of the courtesans which is made pleasant by their hissing sounds when the clever men spray water on them with their water-filled syringes."
King: "In this darkness caused by the scattering of red powder, the crowd of bons vivants is only dimly visible by the rays from their ornaments and jewels. Their raised water-syringes are shaped like the hoods of snakes. The crowd reminds me of the Patala (the netherworld of snakes)."
