HOLI

Mr. Moon must have had a field day yesterday with all the media attention and coverage he got. He didn’t seem as ominous as he was made out to be, nor did he set off a series of disasters as predicted. We have seen better or bigger ‘super moon’s’ than the one last night. In spite of all the rumours circulating, the life and festivities went on as usual. Aren’t we all brave hearts?

These are the ‘happening’ ladies of our housing society. The oldest residents, mostly Maharastrian with a couple of exceptions, they run the ‘kitty’ cartel of our society. Addicted to gossip as they are, they even pay their maids to keep up the gossip supply! Nothing escapes their scrutiny and it is difficult to infiltrate their group. I don’t like the word ‘kitty’ and I don’t ‘party’ and so I enjoy their company from afar. But, as the ‘missus’ of our housing society’s Chairman, I have to make the customary appearance at our society’s do’s. And, so I was there with the ‘gang’ performing the puja of the ‘holi’ fire.

To us South Indians, HOLI is not a big festival. Here, the people fast all day, breaking their fast only after performing the puja. While the ladies are busy with their puja and customs, the men are having a party of a spirited kind. It is the ‘Mister’ who has to light the fire.  Children are already making merry and having fun with colors. The night ends with a promise of more festivities and fun the next day.

This morning saw a lazy start and breathed life around afternoon. Had loads of fun. Got “BHANG’d” for the first time. Did not get heady though. The curtain fell on this colorful day watching the sunset with a spectrum of colors over the horizon of the sea.