Terai Holi

Loud and bright Terai Holi
Today, players from different parts of the country, including Kathmandu, are relaxing. In fact, those who enjoyed the colors in the hills of the inner Madhes and central hills of Nepal exchanged colors and ecstasy yesterday. Now it is Holi for the flatlands and scattered trees of Terai.

Traditionally, the Terai region celebrates this festival a day later. Holi is commemorated for the victory against Holika, and the Terai people celebrate this victory on the next day of Holika Dahan. In this story, the citizens of King HiranyaKasyapa's kingdom were divided into two groups: those who supported prince Bhakta Prahlad and those who opposed him. Prahlad was accused of praying to Lord Vishnu in the kingdom and palace of King Hiranyakasyapa. Hiranyakasyapa was against Lord Vishnu, and he never liked his own son being a devotee of Vishnu. Later, Holika (the King's sister) and Prahlad sat on the flaming fire, but the fire refused to burn Prahlad as Holika turned into ashes. In this victory of truth and purity against untruth, people celebrated Holi.

Why are Terai and Hilly Holi celebrated differently in Nepal?
The Terai people commemorate Holi the day after this historic incident, which makes Terai Holi the day after. However, Terai Holi is also said to be a day after because of the Mithila Parikrama (ancient religious walking following the pathway of Lord Rama and Mother Sita). The Mithila Parikrama wraps up on Falgun Poornima, and the next day Holi is celebrated.

Be it anything or for any reason, Holi is manifested in vivid colors, louder feelings, and a brighter way in Nepal's Terai. The widespread use of colored powder began during the TretaYug when Lord Rama defeated Ravana in battle. Terai Holi is a depiction of the Awadh celebration of Holi, and Ayodhya is the fountain of Holi celebration. Songs are sung with vigor in Maithili and Vojpuri, and the legacy is captured in words and melodies. Underneath the waxing moon and along with the traditional musical instruments, Holi gets more and more colorful as the day matures. Ponds are colored, glasses are filled with Ghotta (a traditionally prepared tranquilizing drink made of vaang and milk), and the aroma of Taruwa, Varuwa, and Malpuwas (traditional delicacies) wafts from kitchens.

जोगिरा सरररररररर,
कुन तालमे ढोलक नाचे कुन ताल मजीरा
कुन तालमे नटुवा नाचे कुन ताल नजारा
के वोलो सारारारारारारारारारारा
के वोलो सारारारारारारारारारारारा

Who is Jogira?
Dholak is the key identification of Terai, a traditional musical instrument that is used in delivering messages to villages and also as an alarm for the commencement of any festival or ritual. Here the song states that a Jogiraa, "an average Terai person," is dancing to the beat of Dholak, and Jogiraa can hardly manage his beat according to Dholak because he is intoxicated by the holy drink of Holi. Jogiraa travels from one village to another, filled with love and compassion. In his ecstasy of compassion, Jogiraa can hardly find any difference between pain and pleasure; he swims in the waves of devotion and humanity. You don't have to get drunk or intoxicated to be Jogiraa, but Holi demands a higher level of brotherhood, humanity, and compassion.

Natuva dances in traditional Natuva attire in many Terai locations today during Holi. Natuva means traditional dancers who deliver a story through their dance; they can act both male and female. The tingling horn of the cycle, the hay pinnacle in the backyard, the small stepping line between two fields (Khet ko aali),, and the grain-storing traditional store (Bhakari) at the courtyard—everything gets colorful in Holi.

Kanchan Ban Ram khele Holi (Ram celebrates Holi in KanchanBan), a traditional village in Nepal's Mahottari district. This is one of the most popular Terai Holi songs; the Western Terai of Nepal also brings the Holi experience played with soft mud; this must be an incredible Holi experience. Holi lightens every dismal night. May the color and light of Holi illuminate every corner of this planet.
Happy Holi, Holi Heyyyyy.

-Suyog Dhakal