Eid-e-Gulabi: The unifying colour and spirit of Holi
Who says Holi is a Hindu festival, asks Munshi Zakaullah in his book "Tarikh-e-Hindustani".
Holi has a Islamic history as well. Revered Sufi saints like Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and Ameer Khusro have, in their chaste Persian and Hindvi poetry, adored the 'pink' festival generously.
The last Moghul Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, allowed his Hindu ministers to smear his forehead with gulal on Holi. He believed that his religion would not be affected by this social ritual.
This enlightened spirit percolated among the Moghuls, right from the time of Emperor Akbar. Jahangir has been shown holding Mehfil-e-Holi in `Tuzk-e-Jahangiri'. Many artists, specially Govardhan and Rasik, have shown Jahangir playing Holi with Noorjahan, his wife. Mohammed Shah Rangila is shown running around the palace, his wife chasing him with a 'pichkari'. During Shahjahan's rule in Delhi, Holi was known as Id-e-Gulabi -- Pink Id -- or Aab-e-Pashi -- Shower of Colourful flowers.
Urdu poetry gives a special place to Holi's colourful ceremonies. The greatest work on Holi has been compiled during the 17th and 18th centuries in Persian and Urdu.
Quli Qutab Shah, a renowned south Indian poet, wrote about Holi in his inimitable Hyderabadi Urdu, describing the festival of colours in the Braj and Bundelkhand regions in India's north.
Fayeez Dehlvi of Shahjahanabad wrote pleasing verse on the celebrations. Wajid Sehri, a Delhi poet, mentions how Akbar Mahabali used to have many colourful ponds to enjoy a Holi dip.
Equally enjoyable are the poems of Mir Taqi Mir who joined the court of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah and wrote in praise of Jashne-e-Holi. Poets like Khwaja Haider Ali Aatish, Insha and Taban have written great Holi songs.
Moray kaanha jo aaye palat ke
abke holi main kheloongi dat ke
unke peeche main chupke se jaake
ye gulaal apne tan se lagaake
rang doongi unhe bhi lipat ke
When my Krishna comes back to me,
I’m going to play Holi with him with intensity,
I’ll sneak up on him from behind,
I’ll cover myself in gulaal,
And I’ll colour him with my body.
-Nawab Wajid Ali Shah 'Akhtar
Bulleh Shah also played Holi with his Master:
Hori khailoongi keh kar Bismillah
Naam nabi ki rattan charhi, bond pari Illalah
Rang rangeli ohi khilawe, jo sakhi howe fana fi Allah
I shall play Holi, beginning with the name of Allah.
The name of Prophet is enveloped with light,
He only makes us play with colors, who annihilates with Allah




Comments

  1. Unknown6 April 2018 at 14:58

    Lt Col, gulabi hold was played by Shias who are our friends. Not the deobandi Sunnis!

    ReplyDelete

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