By Feona Morrison
THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life congregated at the Everest Cricket Club in Georgetown and the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Monday to celebrate Phagwah.
The events, coordinated by the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS), aimed to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Colours, Phagwah which is also known as Holi, while fostering unity and inclusivity among Guyana’s diverse population.
People began gathering at the stadium from noon, transforming the ground into a riot of colours as participants wearing traditional white attire drenched each other with brightly coloured powders and water to commemorate the joyous occasion.
This year’s “One Guyana” festival drew both locals and foreigners, filling the stadium with a kaleidoscope of colours, Chutney music, and the smells of tantalising ethnic delights like food and sweet meats. It offered a variety of activities suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Everyone enjoyed the traditional acts displaying Guyana’s rich traditions, such as singing, dancing, and Tassa drumming. There was live entertainment by Vicadi Singh, Randy Recklez, Anil Duniya, Vanita Willie, Tony Cuttz, Aw Lyrical, Stephen Ramphal, Sonia Singh, Kevin Singh, Arjit Singh, Aamir Khan and Nawaz Khan. They were backed by the Shakti Strings Band.
The event also provided persons with an opportunity to support small businesses.
“This festival is not only about honouring Phagwah; it’s about celebrating our shared Guyanese identity. In a country as diverse as ours, events like these are vital for building understanding and harmony among different cultures,” said Danesh Singh, a Guyanese living in Canada.
According to Kumar, a festival attendee, Guyana’s Phagwah celebrations grow year after year. He expressed his delight at the diverse crowd coming together to enjoy the occasion.
Despite our differences, he stated that we are “One Guyana”.
Indira (only name given) returned to her home country for Phagwah after 40 years in the United States of America (USA). In an interview with this publication, she described how nostalgic it felt to reconnect with her cultural heritage and reunite with family and friends.
Bibi Indar brought out her family for Holi celebrations at the stadium. According to her, Monday’s celebrations were a source of happiness for her and her family and friends.
Meanwhile, from 16:00 hours, the GHDS held its Holi Utsav 2024 event that attracted a large and passionate crowd. The coordinated Holi celebration enthralled both participants and spectators, who went to the Everest Cricket Club Ground in the heart of the capital city.
The GHDB is a prominent cultural organisation dedicated to preserving Hindu customs and developing community spirit. The celebrations began with religious ceremonies and prayers, invoking blessings for peace, prosperity, and unity among all Guyanese.
Following the usual rites, the atmosphere changed to a carnival of colours, with attendees happily covering one another with bright powders.
Laughter filled the air as people danced to the beat of drums, fully immersed in the celebratory atmosphere. The gathering brought people from all walks of life together, breaking down barriers of ethnicity, age, religion and background.
Like the first event, the GHDS event included a variety of cultural acts, including traditional dances. There were performances by artists and groups from India, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Food stalls filled the venue, serving a variety of scrumptious delicacies and refreshments, adding to the joyful atmosphere.
Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security and GHDS president, and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, were among those in attendance at the GHDS’s Holi Utsav 2024.
As the sun began to set, participants left both events with happy hearts and a renewed sense of pride in their shared ancestry and identity.
Both events were a resounding success, demonstrating the ongoing value of cultural traditions in building harmony and a sense of belonging in the multicultural tapestry of Guyana.
