VARANASI: “Yogi ayi gayine ab darr kahe ka, fiza mein udawa gulal ab darr kahe ka” (Yogi has come, why fear now? Throw gulal in the air, why fear now). This was the song that rented the air as Muslim women celebrated the festival of colours at Lamahi village on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Holi festival, two women associated with the Muslim Mahila Foundation played ‘gulal ki Holi (Holi with dry colour) and applied colour on the picture of Lord Ram. Showering colours and rose petals, Muslim women sang self-composed Holi songs on the beat of dhol in praise of Hindu deities — Lord Vishwanath, Lord Krishna, and Lord Ram. Presenting a beautiful blend of communal harmony, they threw colours on each other and enjoyed the festival.
“ We are one by blood, lineage, culture, ancestors, and country. We cannot leave Indian culture. The colour of Holi is in our blood. It is our cultural right to play Holi. Fundamentalists try to keep Muslims isolated, but we are one and have an emotional connection with our culture,” said MMF president Nazneen Ansari. Najma Parveen said the fundamentalists should shun hate and play Holi with gulal.
"Leftists, who degrade the Sanatan culture, raise the slogan of ‘Save Water’ as soon as Holi arrives and advise not to offer milk on Shivratri. Their motive is neither to save water nor milk but to demean India by terming the traditions of Sanatan culture as irrelevant," she said.
