Congrats are in order for another magnificent edition of the Phagwah parade on Liberty Avenue, New York (NY) and the jamboree at Smokey Park. Parades were also held in Jersey City and the Bronx to showcase the Phagwah culture that has been transplanted from India to Guyana and from there to America. Guyanese turned out in large numbers to proudly display their culture. Africans, Muslims, Whites and Hispanics were seen in the parade clapping and dancing to the rhythmic tunes.  Some of them also brought their children who were bathed in colors.  The non-Indians seem more indulged in the celebration. The cosmopolitan neighborhood of Richmond Hill saw an ethnic mosaic for the Phagwah celebration on Sunday afternoon bringing together over 25,000 people in a sea of color. The size of the crowd was beyond what the eyes could see. Thousands of people also lined Liberty Avenue, the route of the 21st. annual parade that heralds the coming of the Hindu Spring. Hundreds of people of various nationalities from their verandah cheered the marchers as the parade marched a mile from 133rd. Street on Liberty Ave to 123rd. Street and 95th Ave culminating at the Smokey Park. It was described by organizers as the largest congregation in the parade’s 20 year history.  It was quite huge.

The parade was put together by the Hindu Parades and Festival Committee headed by Spiritual Advisors Dharamcharyas Ramlall and Rishi Misir. Pandits Ramlall and Satish and Ramesh Kalicharran played prominent roles in the parade’s development. The celebration has become popular since it was started in 1990 as Hindus and non-Hindus join in the joy of the throwing of the abeer and various colors of powder to mark this festival.

The warm weather, a break from the freezing temperature and heavy downloads of snow of the preceding weeks, was perfect for the celebration. Some took off their coats and jackets as they thronged the streets and the park smearing faces with coloured powder and sprayed abeer to celebrate the festival of color and joy, which heralds the advent of spring. People hugged each other wishing “Happy Holi” as a dozen floats made their way with groups singing and dancing behind to the accompaniment of dholak drums, tassa, and loud chowtaal music. Most in the crowd were young people and they clapped and danced while dousing abeer and multi-colored powder on each other. The spectators on the parade route cheered the dozen beautifully designed floats that were sponsored by mandirs, businesses, and cultural organizations. Many marched behind the floats of their organizations proudly displaying their national identity with flags of the U.S, Guyana, Surinam, India and Jamaica fluttering in the wind.  Many had national bandanas around their neck or as a head wrap or waving them. These were supplied by businesses.  Flags were also sold on the streets. Revelers waved the flags of their home country.

A variety of colors of abeer, gulal, and abrack brightened up the parade route. Mists of talc powder rose above and beyond the huge crowd in the park. People celebrated with full glory, pomp and enthusiasm in a great display of traditional songs, dance, music and playful jollification just like they were in the Guyana. They splashed abeer, daubed abrack on one another and dispersed gulal in the air amidst the ringing chowtaal

music. Although pitchkaries and super soaker guns were not permitted at the celebration, some celebrants managed to smuggle them within the crowd and doused the crowd. Other celebrants sprayed bottles squirting abeer on others.

The festival transcended all social, religious and ethnic barriers with non-Hindus participating with equal zest as Hindus. Haji Zakir marched in the front row and

also brought greetings on behalf of the Muslim community. Several Whites and Africans, were seen in the parade and dousing their Indian friends with powder and abrack and clapping and dancing to the rhythmic tunes.

At the park was a cultural variety show and speeches from leading politicians and community leaders. Many prominent singers and dancers performed on stage. Several organizations prepared snacks and hot drinks which were distributed free to the thousands. It has become an annual tradition for the Hindu Seva led by Pandit Radharam Upadhyaya, to treat the crowd to hot beverage and snacks.

The non-ethnic and ethnic media provided coverage of the event from start to end including TV (Fox 5) and print and photo journalists.  It was a terrific parade.  Thanks to our brethren for bringing it to NY.