The festival of colours, Holi, spreads a magic of liveliness, and happiness and creates a gleeful environment everywhere. This is one of the auspicious Hindu festivals that is celebrated all across India. Different states, different cities have different traditions and rituals to celebrate this festival. While everyone indulges in the zealous aura of dipped in hues of happiness, in Vrindavan, widows were barred from playing with colours. Their white drapes had fabricated societal conventions where they were supposed to stay away from colours. Colours are not biased. They are meant to be vibrant, to spread joy and also mark the triumph of good over evil.
Their story of isolation is rather regressive. Not just Holi, but clad in white sarees, they were also isolated from spreading other festivals like Diwali. However, today, all of them play with their hearts out.
Decades later, after years of hardship and challenges, the narrative began to shift in 2012. An NGO -Sulabh International – took it upon themselves to usher in the change.
This NGO is known for championing causes like women’s empowerment, social inclusion etc. This wasn’t just about colours; it was about reclaiming joy, fostering social acceptance, and weaving it back into the vibrant tapestry of Vrindavan.
Before 2013, as reported by PTI, these windows could only participate in Holi by offering colours to “Thakurji” (Lord Krishna). The tradition of widows celebrating amongst themselves marked a turning point. The first such celebration saw a joyous eruption of colour and laughter. Widows, usually adorned in white, transformed into a kaleidoscope of reds and pinks, playfully smearing gulal and showering each other with fragrant flower petals.
The air resonated with devotional songs (bhajans) are sung in praise of Krishna, their voices a testament to the newfound freedom and a celebration of life itself. Witnessing these women dance and revel in the midst of vibrant colours offered a powerful counterpoint to the monochrome existence they were living in for several years.
This came as a life-changing initiative for the community of widows. Today, when they smile wide spraying each other with colours, and flower petals, it serves as a reminder of change, empowerment, freedom from social shackles and a move towards change.
With the several stories being associated with Holi, one speaks of the victory of good over evil. The change that came in 2012 is also a triumph of freedom over misogynistic and patriarchal norms.
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