Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: The Sakchi Dhalbhum Club Ground turned a canvas of colours that painted the rich, traditional art and culture of vibrant Rajasthan. Organized by the Sakchi branch of Zila Marwari Sammelan (ZMS) on March 20 and 21, the festivities on the latter date was a riot of colours amidst folk songs, dances and a dance drama. Of course there were culinary delights of Rajasthan for the 2,500 guests to bring down the curtains on two days of excitement, fun and frolic.
The festival was signaled by �Holika Dahan� at the Netaji Subhas Ground (formerly Ambagan Ground) on Wednesday, March 20. The ritualistic �Danda Ropan� was performed at 8 am while the Holika Dahan, a symbol of victory of good over evil, was performed at 8 pm. In view of environmental concern, wood was not burnt; instead, cow dung cakes were used to set the Holika on fire.
The following day, Thursday, March 21, the Holi rainbow of colours took centre stage. Marwari community folks smeared colours and embraced one another in gestures of peace, joy and amicability among them all. This joyous scene that commenced at 10 am at the Dhalbhum Club Ground (opposite Sakchi Agrasen Bhawan) continued till 1 pm. The evening session commenced from 6:30 in the evening and continued till 10 pm.
Socio cultural organization Radha-Rani organized the dance and song events marking �Holikotsav.� The program was inaugurated by lighting of the traditional lamp jointly by guests Ram Krishna Chowdhary, Arun Bankrewal, Nirmal Kabra, Umesh Sah, Bajrang Lal Agrawal, Santosh Agrawal, Surya Gyan Modi, Ashok Bhalotia and Shyam Sunder Moonka.
Gulal was sprayed in the air and cold drinks, �Thandai� and sweets were distributed amongst all. Folk songs that pepped the celebratory mood were sung with traditional zeal. Radha-Rani artistes comprising both, local and their Kolkata counterparts performed dances with the folk songs and then performed a dance drama. People played Holi with colourful flower petals along with artistes dressed as Radha and Krishna. Local bhajan singer Mahabir Agrawal who was conducting the events himself sang popular Rajasthani folk numbers to further enliven the fun-filled atmosphere.
ZMS Sakchi unit chief Om Prakash Ringasia presided the program. Holikotsav was organized by the Radha-Rani group comprising Kavita Agrawal, Mamata Agrawal, Rekha Agrawal, Pinky Ringasia and Nisha Singhal.
Apart from the delicious cuisine in sync with Rajasthani tradition, senior members of ZMS urged people not to waste food. �Take as much food as you can consume. Please ensure that food is not wasted,� the guests were requested. At the end of the fabulously served dinner, the 2,500 strong participants took a pledge not to waste food.
The entire two day Holi function organized by ZMS Sakchi unit included Om Prakash Ringasia, Sita ram Debuka, Sawarmal Agrawal, Chhedi Lal Agrawal, Om Prakash Jhajharia, Pawan Singhania, Naresh Kauntia, Shyam Khandelwal, Ramesh Moonka, Sunil Debuka, Ravi Dokania, Yugal Sharma, Vimal Ringasia, Bharat Agrawal, Pramod Agrawal and Vinod Sah.
