WAITAKERE HOLI: A FUSION OF PURAB AUR PASCHIM WHERE EAST MEETS WEST

Thakur Ranjit Singh

As the melodious singing of Faag (fagua, chautal) rang and echoed against the green picturesque trees at Corbans Arts Centre, Henderson, Auckland on Sunday 4 March, 2018, it heralded another milestone for Waitakere Indian Association (WIA).

This was like going back to the roots. Corbans Arts Centre is the location where the first public Holi celebrations in New Zealand commenced 12 years ago in 2006, initiated by none other than WIA.

THE EAST:Traditional faag presented by Shri Ram Mandir Faag Mandali, Henderson. The lead singer in the centre with harmonium is the Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Mandir, Pravin Kumar, while his son, Prashant Kumar is playing dholak (drum). This traditional singing of faag or fagua constitutes the main element of Holi for Fiji Indian Hindus.

India in general and Hinduism in particular has given the world some festivals which embrace the whole human race, and has more integrating, unifying and all-embracing themes. They have a message of unity without being founded in divisive, exclusive religious arguments. Holi is one of them. It has profound meaning for mankind and equality for all, promoting and enhancing race relations and integration.

Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) is the award-winning organisation, which has been run by like-minded volunteers from 2000. It is the pride of Indian associations in New Zealand and has set up new standards of yardsticks and milestones on how to successfully run an association and festivals run by the community, and not commercial media organisations.

It was a milestone this Holi, as WIA listened to public, and did a fusion of traditional and modern Holi celebrations. This is what we call “Sangam” (meeting) of Purab (East) aur Paschim (West) - a meeting place where tradition meets the modern. This was after feedback that Holi celebrations had drifted to modern Bollywood music and dance, overshadowing the traditional folk singing with which Holi is identified. Therefore, WIA was responsive to the community wishes, and held a solid two hour performance by various Mandalis (religious groups).

And that is where East met West. This festival resonated into the meeting of youthful revellers with the mixture of relatively older audience, with a taste of all catered by a well-programmed event.

The traditional faag brought all in the mood to play the colours. Even weather Gods showered their blessings with a lovely weather. Multiracial group of youths crowded the “ringside” stage area to jump to the occasion of dancing to the enthralling music from DJ Manish Gabroo. Young children filled their water guns and water bottles with coloured water and chased each other in the open grounds. They also got hold of coloured powders and had a ball with their families. The older ones smeared each other with coloured powers or gulaal, opening up their usual shyness.

THE WEST:Modern, or western version of Holi celebrations, where we have public dancing on live DJ, ably provided by Manish Sharma (DJ Gabroo) at Waitakere Holi. A large part of those present were non-Indians, and they joined in to resonate the theme of Holi which is about unity and building bridges.

This time, WIA took charge of sale of gulaal, or coloured powders, and nearly sold half a ton of colours. The food stalls did brisk business with an outstanding and above average crowds. 

Another feature of WIA Holi is the increasingly patronage by Anglo-Saxons and non-Indians. One estimate places them at around 40% of the crowd. That is the multicultural pull of the all-encompassing Holi festival. Many non-Indians danced joyfully to tunes of Bollywood music. This was indeed a day of colours, music and fun for the whole families. 

With limited stage items to allow more times for public dancing, we had limited but quality stage items. Of course, WIA functions would be incomplete without the auntie-niece team of Jocelyn Singh and Joshlyn Grace, on thrilling Bollywood numbers

Politicians and community leaders mingled freely with their supporters and, took photos which are now gracing the pages of Facebook.  Among others these included Phil Twyford, Linda Cooper, National List MPs Kanwal Singh Bakshi, Alfred Ngaro and Paramjeet Parmar, Labour’s Michael Wood, Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Barbara Russell with Ami Chand of Portage Licensing Trust, Bhikhu Bhana from NZ Indian Central Association (NZICA), among others. 

The President of WIA Mahendra Sharma welcomed all, especially the multiracial crowd. ‘Now Waitakere Holi Mela has developed into an event not only for Indians but also for wider New Zealand community. Celebrating the festival of colours in our diversely cultural city is seen as a way to continue building better relations with the community. I am deeply honoured by your presence.

Again the theme of Holi is reflected in this photo. No Holi in Fiji is complete without Grog, Kava, or Nagona. Equality is reflected by all coloured in same colours, and National List MP, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi serving grog. Pictured here, enjoying the Holi mood and atmosphere at Waitakere Holi are: 

From left: Sanjiv Brahmbhatt, CEO of Reliance Ventilation, Manoj Tahal, a Trustee of WIA, Mahendra Sharma, President of WIA, Alfred Ngaro and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (List MPs, National Party) and Sunil Kaushal, Holi Project Manager.

Transport and Housing Minister, Phil Twyford stood out as an ardent supporter, and admirer of WIA ‘Waitakere Indian Association is the best managed organisation, very transparent, run by credible people with credible leadership. This event signifying victory of good over evil and equality for mankind is the message we should all emulate, ‘he said, praising the commendable and exemplary events organised by WIA. Other politicians and sponsors also spoke about the great event and the way it has brought good in all of us in the West.

For a migrant community, Indians were praised for integrating well into the local community and changed the cultural landscape of the country. Today, Aotearoa is richer because of Indians in general and Hindus in particular for introducing diversity with festivals like Holi, Diwali and other religious, cultural and social events. 

And this fusion of East and the West made Waitakere Holi that much more memorable. Many are already looking forward to the function next year, so powerful was the addiction and transmission of fun at Corbans Arts Centre in Henderson, Auckland. Thanks WIA for making this possible.
See you next year, if you missed the fun this year.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a former executive of Waitakere Indian Association and a community worker. He is a media commentator and runs his blog site FIJI PUNDIT] 

Death in family: Why are we denied celebrating religious festivals -and life

Thakur Ranjit Singh

As the coloured powder (gulaal) and dust from dance of Waitakere Holi in Auckland on 4 March, 2018 settles down, there is an important but controversial issue on celebrating and enjoying this religious gift to Hindus.

There appears to be a community-imposed restriction on celebrating Holi after death of a relative. This affects me directly, as my Kaki (paternal –aunt), Mrs Shiu Kumari (Budh Ram) Singh passed away in Surrey Canada on 20 January, 2018 and my Bhabhi (sister-in-law), Mrs Pushpa Wati (Hari) Singh passed away in Fiji on 4 January, 2018. Kaki was 85 while Bhabhi was 75 - both of them lived to a ripe age. Bhabhi passed away 2 months ago while Kaki passed away just 6 weeks ago.

Lord Krishn recited knowledge of  Gita to Arjun . While we listen to Gita on the mourning of the dead for 12 nights, we refuse to follow its teachings. Among others, it says: "death is inevitable, stop crying for the dead, stop lamenting, shork nahi karo, only body dies, the soul is everlasting, it is like changing old clothes and putting on new ones." So, why we defy these teachings and have a showpiece of mourning during Hindu festivals.

In situations like this, many tend to do what had been custom and practice - they refrain from celebrations because of fear of what others will say. And they deny the fun, message and colours of this great Holi festival to the extended families - mostly to the new generation.

Many in our society are afraid of what others will say-sab konchi boli.-log kya kahenge. We tend to stop living for ourselves and become puppets of the community.

Are we being two-faced hypocrites – preaching one thing and practising another? Should not we follow the teaching and directions of our religion and scriptures? When somebody dies, Pundits preach Gita scriptures at top of their voice.
 

Yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh (left) with his Bhabhi (sister-in-law) Pushpa Wati, in Ba, Fiji over a year ago. She passed away in Fiji on 4 January, 2018

Devine religious lessons are preached to the relatives in mourning – of what Lord Krishn orated to Arjun , and which we call Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered scriptures for Hindus. 

He preached: death is inevitable, stop crying for the dead, stop lamenting, shork nahi karo, only body dies, the soul is everlasting, and it is like changing old clothes and putting on new ones . So, there is no need to mourn, as death is predetermined, inevitable and will happen to all of us.

The gist of Gita is: out with the old, in with the new - change is inevitable. We are told and preached - Parivartan Duniya ka niyam hai. How many follow this? Why do we insult Bhagavad Gita? Why are we selective, embracing new technologies, while practising “Stone Age” customs?

BANSI REUNION IN BA, FIJI. Part of the large Bansi clan (Bansi was Thakur Ranjit Singh's paternal Girmitiya grandfather, who came to Fiji as an Indian Indentured labourer in 1915. Bansi clan has celebrated two Bansi Reunions. One was in Vancouver, Canada in April,2015, and this one in Ba, Fiji in August 2016. In the centre in white is the family matriarch of Bansi family, Thakur's Kaki (Paternal aunt), Mrs Shiu Kumari Singh, wife of Budh Ram Singh Bansi. She passed away in Surrey, Canada on 20 January, 2018. Are we to deny the whole Bansi clan of Holi and other religious festivals, despite what Lord Krishn preached about death? You be the judge.

We sacrifice our happiness and that of our children in the name of parampara, tradition, lokariti and outdated practices. Many such practices defy logic in this modern world, and run contrary to religious teachings. Despite migrating to supposedly advanced countries like Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand, why are Fiji Indian Hindus still slaves to tradition, refusing to embrace rationality and reality of the modern world, in line with the teachings of Gita? 
Through pressure of the community, we are forced to adhere to some old and nonsensical ways masquerading as tradition. Against our will, we are made to follow ways set up by those who died long time ago, and who would have wished we remained happy, and not mourn them.

Holi Hai.. Rang Barse....Thakur Ranjit Singh (right) with his wife, Shashi Kala Singh, celebrating the religious festival of Holi at Waitakere Indian Association Holi in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand on 4 March, 2018. He broke away from tradition, and celebrated Holi with his family to celebrate the lives of these loved ones who departed between 6-8 weeks earlier. Anybody has any objections? Raise it with FIJI PUNDIT.

We need to change restriction placed on celebration of Holi (and Diwali) because of death (or birth) which is a natural inevitable phenomenon. Many will not play Holi colours or cook any sweets at home. What is this mourning for? What did they learn in 12 nights of Gita path? And why mourning only has to kick in while celebrating Holi or Diwali? Immediately after Holi, many will pull out BBQ stands, getting ready for Easter. Or getting ready with goat or chicken. There is no restriction on having birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving dinner, weddings, engagement parties, dancing, drinking and merrymaking. Why do we have to remember the dead relatives only during Holi and Diwali? Even marriage is halted for one year [But that, some other day]. 

Celebrating Holi in Auckland on 4 March, 2018 with family despite recent deaths in the family. Back,(left) Thakur Ranjit Singh and son-in-law, Ravi Chand. Front, from left, Thakur's daughter, Ragni Singh Chand, granddaughter, Rania Roma Chand, and wife, Shashi Kala Singh. As elders, we owe a duty of care to expose our culture to the new generation, and not restrict it in name of tradition and outdated practices, defying religious teachings.

I, despite having recent deaths between 6-8 weeks ago in the family, openly played Holi colours to set a trend in our community. I walked my talk. I know those who died after fruitful long lives are in a better place, their memories are with me and I used Holi to celebrate their lives. They would not have wanted to deny their children, grandchildren and hundreds of their relatives from living a normal life after they are gone. They sure would have wanted us to be happy - and play Holi.

Please follow in the footsteps of our forebears, or Girmitiyas. They were whipped, punched, kicked and heavily suffered under the British and Australian Colonisers. They lost many loved ones and “jahajis”(travelling companion) to death. If Bansi, Bholai, Ram Pher, Paragi, Tulsi, Dihal, Sirpat, Mangaru, Khaderu and Gajadhar and other Girmitiyas had stopped celebrating Holi or Diwali because of death or sorrow, our colourful culture would have died over a century ago. But no, they continued the tradition. Hence, we need to follow them and stop this nonsense, and remember them on Fiji Girmit Thanksgiving Day on 14 May. [That also will be another FIJI PUNDIT posting].

Agreed, it is individual choice, some may need time, but please do not deny religious festivals to the new generation who do not know what mourning is. As for me, I cared little of what others thought. I openly and boldly celebrated Holi, the colours to celebrate the lives of my Kaki and Bhabhi, whose souls and memories rejoiced with me at Waitakere Holi. That is the happiness they would have expected for me, as well as their families.

To the others, I remind them of Rajesh Khanna dialogue from Bollywood movie, Safar:

Zinda apne aap ko kabr mein gaar dena kurbani nahi andhkaar hai. This says, burying yourself in a grave or dying with the dead is not expression of sorrow or sacrifice. It is foolishness and darkness. The living ones are not meant to die with the dead.

You are free to ignore the teachings of Gita and mourn for those who have gone to a better place. You are also free to deprive your family of religious festivals, while yourself enjoying in other worldly fun.

FIJI PUNDIT urges practising Hindus to appreciate and understand the teaching of Bhagavad Gita, and stop old, outdated and irrelevant practices defying its teachings and lessons.

I refuse to be that pretender. Hence, I celebrated Holi despite death in the family. You are free to make your choice.

Please keep your culture and traditions alive, not by restrictions, but by following what Lord Krishn preached in Gita.

And that was: Stop being a Dhongee - stop being a double-faced person. Have faith in God and his teachings-and stop mourning the dead - and celebrate their life.

 [About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is the blogger-FIJI PUNDIT, and a trend-setter in thoughts and deeds on reforming the community to conform to the changing world.]