In Lahore, a Holi to remember
Sumit Paul
IN 2002, I was in Pakistan for six months to finish my doctorate on (Raghupati Sahay) Firaq Gorakhpuri’s poetry from the University of Punjab, Lahore. Holi was round the corner and I was missing its infectious bonhomie. On the eve of Holi, I got a call from the professor of philosophy, Dr Rahil Abbas, to come to the department to celebrate Holi. It was a surprise! Holi in Pakistan! I went to the department; it was a colourful spectacle to behold. There were colours everywhere. Students and professors were playing Holi. The moment I entered the department, all greeted me with ‘Holi mubarak ho’ in chorus. Dr Abbas told me that the university had been celebrating Holi right from its inception in 1882 and the tradition was never broken, even during and after Partition. The three wars also did not affect it. He quoted Urdu poet and critic Kalidas Gupta ‘Raza’ — ‘Rang nahin dekhte Hindu ya Musalmaan/Baras jaate hain sab pe ek samaan’. Holi had the shared history and heritage of India and Pakistan. It belongs to all. Dr Abbas’ words still echo in my mind.
This unforgettable experience enthralled me. I left Pakistan after the completion of my PhD degree, but I still get the invite from the department of humanities on the occasion of Holi. They haven’t forgotten to invite me since 2002. This year too, I got the invitation well in advance. Alack, times have changed. Yet, the feelings are intact in the hearts of the common people of both countries. This cordiality can be further consolidated through the universality of festivals because they all do not belong to a specific community or faith. Diwali or Holi is as much a festival of Muslims as of Hindus, just like Eid is celebrated by all, not just by Muslims. I remember, I had sheer-khurma on Eid at the place of a Christian friend of mine from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. His parents were Roman Catholics, but they were brought up in Lucknow and had the inter-cultural ethos in their blood, nay in their consciousness. My friend’s parents spoke impeccable Urdu and his mother did her Master’s in Urdu literature from Lucknow University!
This is what we all urgently need at this hour of increasing rancour. We need to imbibe the universal spirit of festivity to live happily with one another like a very big family. To quote Pakistani Urdu poet Aurangzeb Khan Qateel Shifai — ‘Holi na teri hai, na meri/Eid jaise hai sabki, humari-tumhari/Rasmon aur tyoharon ko na baant, mere yaar/Sirf ada-e-tyohar ko dekh, jo hai sabse pyari’ (Holi doesn’t belong to you or me/Just like Eid belongs to all/My friend, don’t discriminate among festivals/Just look at the beauty of it, which is of paramount importance).
Wish, we all understood this!
