Dear Editor,

THE grand festival of exuberant colours and feelings is in the air. History was created when the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) in Trinidad and Tobago triumphantly held the first international Phagwa conference virtually on the 13th and 14th March, 2021. This programme amassed some 65 professional scholars assembled from around the world to deliver a number of papers on various topics on Indian Diaspora, with the theme based on “Phagwa in the Global Village: Traditions, Innovations and Future developments.” Countries taking part included Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Grenada, USA, Canada, UK, India, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Speakers spoke on the historical, religious, scriptural and cultural significance of this great festival which will be celebrated this week-end, the 28th of March, throughout the globe. Comparisons were made from the ancient customs and traditions to modern day practices and an anticipation for the future generation attitude for their continuity and maintenance. It was quite enlightening to learn about the methodology adopted in each of the participating country from the respective speaker, sharing valuable information about the common practices, choreographing all aspects of Phagwa and how time has retained most of the inherited ways celebrating the occasion from India and also the changes brought about from generation to generation.

Phagwa was painted colourfully by all the presenters and some even discussed the dangers, disadvantages and dislikes experienced by some disdained women, who expressed disgust when engaged in the playing of the festival with some males, perceived with disguised motives. Many panelists conversed on the planting of the Holika, the days leading up to Phagwa, Holika Dahan, Phagwa day and the day after. The traditional and non-traditional observances were enthusiastically explored and expounded in glorious forms and shapes, educating and enriching the audience. Discussants also traversed into Indian cultural anthropology and issues pertaining to today’s society, affecting the Indian community in terms of political, economic, social, cultural and religious positions. According to one of the organisers, Surujdeo Mangaroo, “While Phagwa has gained in popularity over the years, few efforts have been made to study this festival from an academic standpoint.”’ She added, “As many colours as there are in the festival of Phagwa, or Holi, so too are the legends associated with it. This ancient Hindu festival is celebrated with the coming of spring each year.” Inclusive in the agenda were films, poetry, songs and chowtals. The romanticising of Phagwa was depicted through the journey of stories, the eyes of the lens, the dancing feet and melodious voices.

There were a total of five Guyanese who presented papers on various aspects of the programme. Guyanese/American-based Electro-Cardiologist, Dr. Keshwar Ramkissoon, set the pace and mood for the week-end when he introduced “Legends of Holi,” laying the foundation for the spirit of the season, by divulging the deep seeded religious aspect of Phagwa. He related the story of the Asura King Hiranyakashipu, his sister Simhika (Holika) and his son, Bhakt Prahlad and the significance of the chronology and the moral. Popular for his outstanding articles and writings in the Guyanese newspapers, Dr. Vishnu Bishram, also a Guyanese residing in New York, expounded on “Introduction and Evolution of Phagwa Celebrations in Guyana”. The first day also involved the young Guyanese, Praem Rambharak, who participated on the 8 youth session, “Kal, Aaj Aur Kal (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) – Youth Perspectives for Phagwa in the Diaspora.”

The second day witnessed the famous Guyanese past UG senior lecturer in Sociology, Dr. Tara Singh, chairing Panel 8 dealing with “Developing Trends in the Phagwa festival in India and the Indian Diaspora. The well-known philanthropist and columnist/writer, both at home and abroad, also spoke on the subject, “Holi Sammalian Celebration in New York.” The ardent and illustrious media commentator and writer, Shri Ravi Dev, brilliant for his political, social and cultural reflections and work, participated in the Indian Diaspora Round Table discussion along with Dr. Tara Singh, to wrap up the weekend Phagwa presentation. Children were certainly not excluded and The Conference Chair as the last speaker, Dr. Primnath Gooptar, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, presented his paper on “The children’s Phagwa in Trinidad: passing on the tradition to the next generation.” Noteworthy was the bravery of the youngest presenter, 10-year-old daughter of Dr. Keshwar and Prarthna Ramkissoon, who, on Saturday, accompanied her dad to read a poem entitled, “Happy Holi,” written by her nana, Jai Lall.

Each session was followed by a question and answer segment and one of the cumbersome and controversial enquiries was made concerning ‘why Trinidad and Tobago has not declared Phagwa a national holiday’. It was an internationally well-organised and successful conference. Two resolutions were tabled by Sri Deoroop Teemal and accepted:

1.        Be it resolved that the NCIC Heritage Centre continue to explore the role, place and celebration of festivals in the Indian Diaspora, in order to ensure continuity of research of these festivals and to establish relevant global linkages and bodies that are sustainable.
2.        Be it resolved that the NCIC heritage center establish a quarterly virtual forum for youth in the Indian Diaspora to identify, research and discuss relevant issues and challenges and undertake possible pathways and projects that will address the needs and concerns of the Indian diasporic youth.

Respectfully,

Jai Lall