Holi ...Through the Colours of Intoxication

So this year as always India goes to celebrate one more holi. As always people apply and splutter various colours on almost everyone they know and yes they don't really know. Like in many places people get drunk in Bhang if not other alcholic beverages. Yes people get cleverly masked in unrecognizable formats where one drinks and lashes out in objectionable manner.The tradition of consuming bhang on holi is particularly rampant in North India where holi itself is celebrated with a gusto unseen anywhere else.
Over the centuries and over the decades the festive spirit of holi slowly deteriorated; it has been hugely corrupted and misused by people. I greatly feel this has been due to an excessively bad influence of bolloywood movies of the 1960s and the 1970s. The Bachan era (Don) bought in a lot of celebrity status to this festival and corrupted it with open indulgence in consumption of narcotics, alcohol and objectionable sexual opportunism and exhibitionism.
Bhang is a very intoxicating drink and is the official drink of Holi. Bhang escalates the spirit of holi - and believed to be a festival which does not recognise any restrictions. Typically buds and leaves of Indian Hemp plant called Cannabis Sativa(Charas/Grass/Hashish) are squashed and ground into a green paste. This is then added to milk, ghee (reduced butter), and spices to create a drink. The drink is accompanied with pakoras, barfi, jalebis, lassi, and kulfi all combined to be called as a Holi Lunch. Cultivation of Cannabis is illegal in many parts of the world including India where its abundantly grown, and there is only a mild social stigma attached to it compared to smoking marijuana outright. The psycho-active component of cannabis preparations is delta 9-TetraHydroCannabinol and not DeHydroCrotinin. Delta 9-THC as it is referred to is prepared from the Indian hemp plant cannabis sativa, a hardy, aromatic annual herb. cannabis is probably the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. The cannabis herb contains other psychoactive components too, but Delta 9-THC is most abundant. The most potent forms of cannabis come from the flowering tops of the plants or from the dried, black-brown, resinous exudate from the leaves referred to as hashish or charas. The stem and leaves of the plant when cut, dried and chopped are then smoked in cigarettes commonly called as "Joints" "Grass" or mixed with milk, sweetmeats and cakes to make "Bhang".
As far as health effects go, Cannabis smoke is a potential cause of Cancer because of presence of similar if not more carcinogenic substances as cigarette smoke. It can also lead to bronchitis. Far more significant are the psychological effects of cannabis. Chronic Cannabis use may precipitate Psychosis in vulnerable individuals and long-term cannabis use may exert subtle effects on memory, attention and the integration of complex information leading to insanity.
It is important that our youth are sensitised to the message that be it "Bhang" or "Charas" or "Grass", they all contain Delta 9-THC in different potencies. And as with all poisons, there is no such thing as too little of it. People might ignore it for a day; people might ignore these facts for pleasure; people might overlook these facts for forgetting pain and displeasure; but in all it hits back some time in life.
I also want to remind that in this festive mood, it is easy for everyone to forget that there is something known as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in India. Few Indians realise how powerful this act is, with potential for abuse. For example, someone arrested under this act is presumed guilty until proven innocent, which is against normal jurisprudence. Bail can be granted only after a court hearing. Given the Indian judicial system, this can take a few months to many years. Its in all good that one stays away and discourage usage of Bhang or Joints or to that extent alcohol to the fullest extent.
But though Bhang is derived from Cannabis, and is listed under Narcotic substance source; Bhang does not come under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Potency scale of products(2% to 20%) from Cannabis Bhang (Hashish). Extracts from unpollinated female parts of the Cannabis are the most potent of all the forms. Bhang should be elevated into this list as the effects irrespective of potency does have an abuse on the human body. And with laws not monitoring this unorganised production might lead to a fatal case due high potency of Charas black resign presence.
Sources - Web and Paper on Potency of Cannibies

The True Spirit of Holi

We in our modern era and our modern cosmopolitan culture are very fast in keeping in pace with the modern culture and the in-things by conveniently ignoring the core spirit of our Indian festivals. Indian festivals have a strong traditional, cultural heritage and are among the most symbolic in expressions and intent. Over the years and decades the core essence is slowly but forgotten. It is for us to rediscover the true symbolism and true meaning in the festival. A closer look and little thought with some bit of media surfing should reveal the significance of Holi in more ways than that meets the eye.
Mythological Significance

1. Prahalad & Hiranyakshyap - Due to profound devotion of his Son Prahalada, Hiranyakshyap who has been graced by Bramha and hated MahaVishnu; orders extermination of Prahalada in fire. Hiranyakshayap's sister Holika is inturn set ablaze as the devotion in Prahalada protects him from being engulfed in Agni(fire) but Holika pays the price of her price in "Holika Dahaa"
2. From the Shri Krishna era; Lord Krishna is shown applying colours to Radha and other Gopikas. It also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to killing infant Krishna by feeding poisonous milk.
3. Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular down South is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. As per the legend Kaamadeva sacrifices himself by getting incinerated by Rudradeva's Agninetram to break Siva's Samadhi to protect the world from Tarakasur who in turn was killed by Karthikeya swamy son of Parvathy & Siva.

Cultural Significance

Holi is typically a two day festival which leads to a New year Ugaadi. It symbolises destruction of old habits and adaption of new cleaner and austere habits as one steps into a new year. It lets us symbolically leave behind the past of bad and unpleasant feelings and fill ourselves with brightness and colours of new coming year. It prepares us to enter the new Year in a cleansed, Pure and a rejuvenated state.

On the Poornima night the night before Holi; all the people of the society gather for Holika Dahan. People put into the fire Flattened Dried Cow dung cakes, alond with old clothes and old thrash. Sajjana Sangatyam - Social Well being is the motive behind this Dahan.The symbolism behind this one is destroying old things at home is of destroying all the bad and evil we have picked up in our daily lives till that date. Symbolically with burning of old useless and unwanted things we are destroying the poor shades of our past life to start new one. While burning the discarded things of all others from the society; signifies destruction of all Social Taboos and Social evil in the society, where the society proclaims destruction of all things which are bad. Having completed this ritual of Holika dahan individuals and society alike have set ablaze all the social perils and evils [Kama (Lust), Krodha (Rage), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Attachment) and Ahankar (ego) ]; In the same way Lord Shiva destroyed Kamaa we should also be aiming to eliminate all the lust and desire from ourself and aid in universal brotherhood and social well-being. This when achieved will lead way to peace and prosperity to the entire world which is much required in today's world. One also takes Oath on Agni that one is willing to forget and forgive all the previous animosity against others and oneself and promise to be a better person.

On the Second day everyone gets together to smear colours on each other. Everyone comes out to meet and greet everyone friends and enemies alike and exchange colours. This signifies that one after being purified in the Holika Dahan by stripping ourself of all the evil and bad one is pure and Divine. And a person by socialising and applying colours exchange all the Goodness and purity of the other. The more a person socialises the more the good characters and good spirits one is able to attract and adopt. Colours act as an exchange of key characteristics of goodness and well being each colour signifying one key characteristic. Adapting colours in equivalent to inviting and exchanging more goodness to self and others. In other sense it reinstates and realigns all the brotherhood and friendship to set sail for new heights. As Agarbathi wards off bad odour without loosing its characteristic odour in the same fashion it is believed one is inviting others goodness by keeping off evil from this day. One should aim to find the colours of Divine or the colours of Param Athma the Supreme Spirit during this stage. Usage of natural colours like Pasupu(Haldi), Kumkum, Bilvaku, Vibhuti (Ashes), Chanda (sandal) have there own key attributes and attractive potency to retain and store human characterstic traits.

These purpose adds a very different dimension to the festival in all. And I really hope the true spirit is identified and lives on to live on.

Biological Significance

This festival occurs at the onset of spring. As Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. This period, during which the weather changes, is prone to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance as the coloured powders are made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Ayurveda doctors. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it. It's also thought that deficiency of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular colour.

Another scientific reason for celebrating the Holi, pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (going round) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

However, current Holi colors are chemical concoctions that are in fact toxic and are to be avoided at all costs. There is a movement in Indian metros to make Holi safe again.

So wish you all a Safe, and a Sound Holi.

Sound of Music from ANIMALS!!!

We as Indians are very much familiar with the seven basic notes of classical music which incidentally are the 101 of all basic music learning. One could infact sing each and every song in these syllables.
Going back to these Indian notes, or Swaras or Swaramulu as they are called, the seven notes are actually derivatives of
Shadja
Rishabh
Gandhar
Madhyam
Pancham D
haivat
Nishad.
Interestingly, these swaras are believed to have originated from the sounds different animals, and some have additional meanings of their own.
The association with animals is as follows:
Sa (meaning Sagar) - Peacock
Re (Bull) - Bull
Ga (Gagan) - Goat
Ma (Middle) - Dove
Pa (Fifth) - Cuckoo
Dha (Dharti) - Horse
Ni (Outcast) - Elephant
Was amazed and intriguided my small accidental discovery of this. Hope people who are into singing and music know this.

Weekend Trip to Home

The last time after I was in Hyderabad was for my Sankranti vacations. It was till date the longest vacation I have ever taken in my professional life; a good 9 days there with 4 days off. Considering that I have taken just 2 days off for my marriage and 1 day for my honeymoon; this was a long trip.
Post such a long trip; my next trip to Hyderabad was on 1st of March that's a good 42 days after my last visit. I find this it amazing for the fact that its the longest gap between two consecutive visits of mine. Yes during my stay at Kozhikode the gap was much longer, but those days were much different. I found a few things changed during this gap. Earlier my gaps were as short as 5 days; with almost 3 trips a month, that meant I hardly used to spend a weekend in Pune. Offlate after marriage I got to spend time money, and effort going in and around Pune. One as gets to accustomed to the localities I feel one gets connected, that connection temporarily overshadows the core identity. This is what seemed to have happened when I tried to reconnect back to my family and the city.
I was hardly getting the slang and salutations which I was so much used to earlier. Every now and then there was a slip of tongue; though I was very much aware; with my flow the occurrences where irreversible and in correctable. Got to thank my lucky stars that no one took note of those changes. I vividly remember when I first returned home after my 4 months stay in Kozhikode, Kerala that my mom had serious complains on my language. And she said that my Telugu started to sound very non-Teluguish and I was starting to speak Telugu as a language I recently learned. Yes may-be I never realised it nor I intentionally did it; but while one tries to put an attempt to adopt a certain slang of another language for greater acceptance once native slang also gets impacted to little extent. So in addition to expanding adaptive technique of mutual acceptability one more propounding thing was the influence of my gal. Now after six months of marriage, things change; and believe me they change a lot. I don't think any one would be in a position to guess how I call my gal (no am not giving any prizes/ nor am letting it out); that very way of addressing her got pushed when I got to meet my children (cousin's). No matter how hard I tried it kept slipping out of my mind. It was only after 36 hours that things were stable; but that was only after a long and dedicated monitoring of my tongue.
Anyways it was a great weekend to unwind and have fun. Cousin's Kids Annaprasana ceremony was time to catchup with all of my cousins too. And yeah I forgot felt good to see my parents and high my regular fights with my mom too.