Musical Holi in Uttarakhand tradition of ‘khadi’, ‘baithki’

Lucknow: A riot of colours, rhythm and tradition marked celebration of Khadi (standing) and Baithki (sitting) Holi, organised by the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad on Sunday.It brought alive the rich folk heritage of the hills in the heart of the city. Men and women gathered in large numbers, their faces smeared with vibrant gulaal in different shades.
The celebration began with Baithki Holi, where participants sat in a circle, singing folk songs such as ‘Jogi aayo sheher mein vyapari', ‘Shiv ke man maa hi base Kashi', ‘Rang mein Holi kaise khelungi sanwariya ke sang', and ‘Aao mori sajni, Holi khelen'.The melodious strains of the harmonium, tabla, nagada, dhol, flute and dholak created a soulful ambience, with elders leading the verses and youngsters joining in chorus. As the tempo rose, mood shifted to Khadi Holi and participants stood up, forming circles, clapping in rhythm and swaying gracefully to folk tunes. Laughter echoed across the venue as friends applied colour to and embraced one another. "It feels like we brought a piece of Uttarakhand here," said Bharat Singh, a senior member of the parishad."Khadi and Baithki Holi are not just festivals; they are emotions rooted in our culture," said Rajesh Bisht, secretary of the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad.Women participants said that the event offered a sense of belonging. "The songs remind us of our villages and childhood celebrations," said Usha Bisht, her face streaked with colour. "It's heartening to see the younger generation taking interest."In the end, everyone was served delicacies of Uttarakhand such as ‘aloo ke gutke', ‘bhang ki chutney', and ‘bhaji pakodas'.The festive spirit peaked with group dances to traditional folk songs, as children joined elders on the floor.