True colours of Holi

Holi is colourful. We encounter various hues of personalities on this day like the myriad hues of the colours used. In an apartment building, Holi brings out so many “complexes” of nature that one is mystified. Holi somehow brings out certain characteristics that are amusing and entertaining. Among the many colourful traits, the following are some of those worth mentioning.

We often encounter Ms Headstrong, who has such strong views about getting wet that even a child cannot be allowed to spray a pichkari. She allows only colourful fingerprints on her delicate cheeks. We often amuse ourselves watching her husband dying to roughly rub some gulal on her entire face and drenching her to the skin. Then we meet Mr Peek-a-boo. He is a Holi fanatic. He loves to corner the victims (mostly ladies) with his team of youngsters. He and his team are simply Holi-terrors; the youngsters usually behave worse than juvenile delinquents. Mrs Doubt-all, always insists on inspecting the colours before she allows you to touch her delicate person. It is deemed sensible to approach her with caution, as her shrieking is famous for splitting ear-drums! But she loves playing Holi and gives back as good as she gets.

And of course we cannot ignore Mr Glutton in this medley of Holi revellers. He visits each house ogling at the table laid with offerings. He enjoys “wetting” himself with whiskey or rum more than with the inane coloured water. He has a natural affinity for all types of food. He, in the right spirit, wolfs down the goodies and gulps down rum, beer, whiskey or vodka and goes on and on till he gets absolutely “drenched”.

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Last but not the least, we have Madam Confusion. She locks and bolts her door on Holi. Not a Hindu, you say ? No way. She is the most religious-minded person around. The day before, dressed in finery, she had emerged with a puja thali for the Holi puja in front of the leaping flames of Holi fire. However, the day of Holi is “nightmarish” to her. The reason? She is worried about the ill effect of colours on her milk-white skin.

Even with quirky, boisterous and freaky neighbours, playing Holi cannot be anything but a hungama. So folks, Happy Holi!