THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, on Saturday, held its traditional Phagwah Mela – Rang Rasiya at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar.

The highlight of the event was the folk dance festival featuring dance groups from across the country. Guyanese artistes including Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh – Ranglall, Suraj Singh, Kishan Sugrim, Ganindra and Sonia Raghubeer also sang at the event and were backed by talented musicians.

The Saraswati Dance Troupe of Essequibo managed to beat seven other groups that took part in the festival. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presented them with their first-place trophy and a cash prize.

Coming in second was the Kandhaiya Dance Troupe, also from Essequibo and in third, the Golden Om Dharmic Dance Troupe from East-Berbice. Minister Vindhya also presented them with prizes.

At the event, there were various stalls offering delicious sweetmeats, curries and their accompaniment, hot snacks straight from the pot and Phagwah items. Mehendi and face-painting for the ladies and children were also available.

Minister Vindhya, in her remarks at the event, said that it was a pleasure to see the attendees coming from near and far.

“When we smear colours on each other’s faces, the deeper significance is one which I think the world should take heed of, and, that is, there is no difference between you and I. In other words, we removed all the identifying marks, we removed all the barriers and we are all the same,” the minister added.

Minister Persaud shared that, when playing Phagwah this year, it must be remembered that it is about putting aside all ill will and all negativity.

“You say as you smear the powder, I am really reaching out to you in friendship, in love, and let us celebrate this festival of Holi,” she said.

Holi which is also known as the Festival of Colours, takes place on the full moon day of the Hindu month, Phalgun. It is the last day of the Hindu calendar year. The holiday is also celebrated to signify triumph of good over evil.

It celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and it is a day to forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the full moon day. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Demon Holika).

According to tradition, there is a Holika bonfire, and this represents Holika being consumed by the fire in which she tried to kill her nephew Prahlad, a devotee of God Vishnu and hence, Holi, the name of the holiday.