“Splash my soul with your colors Spraying your secret fondness Casting your smile, so young Emoting crimson, orange and amber From your sunny presence From your tender tears On my soul, my service
Touch my lamp and halo My profound awakening My sleepless nights
And as you disappear Let your footsteps Beat within me Let stars be born in the darkness, Let springs arise from the mountains
As you leave Let your egress make thunder Reverberating with the cosmic dance
As you move on Pull and progress my heart Let my fetters and grief be gone.”
Rabindranath Tagore always put his thoughts and emotions through his heartfelt writings. He not only made sure that his writings should breath but also took care that each and every word uttered by him spreads their own unique story. The songs were so melodious that good music counted their way in.
Today is the great Indian festival “Holi”, which is been celebrated in a grand way every year throughout India. People celebrate this festival with colors and happiness. Yet, turning to Bengal, the celebrations get its own identity “ The Spring Festival” popularly known as Basant utsav.
It represents the welcoming of spring in a delightful manner. This heartious welcome has been traditionally marked all over Bengal, specially Shantiniketan. Everyone wears yellow colored garments. The rejoicing atmosphere mingles the air along with the hymn of Tagore and folk songs. It is yet very magical to observe everyone playing with colors and dancing to the beat. The Nostalgia catches every individual.
So, we thought why not bring the mischief and laughter back??? We deliberately felt for the festival so much that we met a dancing group of Bengal. Mr. Prabrit Nandy, a alumni of Viswa Bharati of Shantiniketan, has brought back the aroma to what should it be now. He believes that in this situation when modernity has circumcised the society, tradition should be uplifted and revived. He teaches numerous students Rabindra Nritya (Dance to the songs of Rabindranath Tagore) and Folk dance.
He follows to the mantra of dancing at any age and in any lifestyle. His range of students are sorted to be varied as some of them are mother too. He is yet making and supporting every one to stand and make the profession a living. In our eyes this has attracted us to collaborate with him.
Therefore , this spring festival lets be carefree. The music, colors, food, and enjoyment would now be undone. The safe side would only be careful with colors. Always choose Herbal colors. Our team wishes all of you a very Happy Holi.
Photography: Arindam Roy
Choreography: Prabrit Nandy
Dancers: Sanchita Roy, Priyanka Roy, Prabrit Nandy, Sona Roy, Roshni Chetri, Madhumita Roy