I WRITE to applaud the organizers of the various Phagwah celebrations in New York over the weekend. Tens of thousands turned out to celebrate and play Phagwah in Jersey City, the Bronx and Queens. The 23rd annual Phagwah Parade on Liberty Avenue culminating at the Smokey Park attracted some 25,000 revellers. The parade began with prayers from the Dharmacharyas of the Sanatanists (Pt. Rishi Misir) and Arya Samajaists (Pt. Ramlall). Guyana’s Council General, Brentnold Evans, and Ambassador Bayney Karran also marched in the parade and gave speeches at the park.
The parade was organized by the Hindu Parades and Festival Committee, comprising mostly Guyanese but the revellers also included individuals from other Caribbean territories. The parade was founded by Ramesh Kalicharran and Pandits Ramlall and Satish and a few others in 1990. Marching in the parade were the diplomats of several territories including the Ambassador from Mauritius.
Thousands of spectators lined Liberty Avenue cheering the marchers in the magnificent parade of 20 floats. Boisterous music in the form of tassa and chowtal was heard throughout the celebration. People of all ages and ethnic groups celebrated the festival with fervour along
the parade route as well as in the park.
People engaged in playful jollification spraying abeer and sprinkling colourful powder on each other as they congregated in the park. The park reverberated with singing renditions and the ringing sound of various musical instruments. It was a picturesque scene.  Participants clad in traditional apparel were bathed in colours.
Revellers danced to the enchanting fast tempo music and to Hindi and local Guyanese songs. ‘O
Rangh-a-bar-say’ from the Bollywood movie ‘Silsila’ sung by the legendary Amitabh Bachan, was sung repeatedly. ‘Holi ki Hai Raguveerah’ was also sung repeatedly throughout the celebration.
At the park, there were speeches from the politicians as well as the singing of bhajans, chowtals and kirtans. Several youngsters performed classical dances. Representatives of various organizations also delivered greetings at the park.
At the park, some smuggled their liquor and had a joyous time snacking on traditional
delicacies.  Indians, Africans, Chinese, Whites, Hispanics, Hindus, Muslims and Christians took part in the celebration. It was a truly national festival that brought people together.
As it did year after year, ‘The Seva International’ organization distributed snacks and hot, as well as cold, beverages to thousands at the park. Other organizations also sponsored snacks and beverages. A businessman from India distributed mango juice and Bedessee cream soda to hundreds. A shipping company also distributed snacks and beverages.
Separately on Saturday afternoon, hundreds turned out for a cultural sameelan on 123rd Street and 101 Avenue at the Maha Lakshmi Mandir complex for a Phagwah celebration that lasted five hours. Some 20 organizations made presentations of songs and dances. Snacks and beverage were also distributed to the large audience.
A magnificent parade was also held in Jersey City on Saturday and a parade was planned for the Bronx as well.
The organizers of all the Phagwah celebrations ought to be applauded for their hard work for what turned out to be splendid celebrations that allowed diverse people to come together and enjoy a cultural festival. The Guyanese have done quite well to promote and propagate heir cultural festivals in America.