Holi Diaries : 2

Holi without songs and dance? Are you kidding me? Well, let the boring people stay grounded. This world is crazy, and I'm a part of it. So, here's my playlist for this Holi :

1) Aaj na chhodenge

2) Holi khele raghuveera

3) Do me a favour

4) Rang barse

5) Ang se ang lagana

6) Holi ke din

7) Mujhe rang de

8) Taal se taal

Enjoy the colours.

Love & Laughter,

Ila

Holi Diaries : 1

Lath maar holi? Hahahahaha..seriously lath maar holi...wowww sounds so freaking awesome.. *can't stop laughing* 

Aisa hai jaise bhi khelo..par holi jarur khelo. 
Bura na maano bhaisaab...happy wali holi hai jee. :P

Lath mar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the town of Barsana near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The name means "that Holi in which [people] hit with sticks" (lath is a thick traditional staff).

Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha's  village on this day and playfully teased her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased him away. Since then, men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon, visit Barsana to play Holi in the town which has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated to Radha in India.

In the sprawling compound of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, thousands gather to witness the Lath Mar Holi when women beat up men with sticks (laṭh or lāṭhī) as those on the sidelines become hysterical, sing Holi Songs and shout Sri Radhey or Sri Krishna. The Holi songs of Braj mandal are sung in pure Braj Bhasha.

On the first day of Lath Mar Holi gops ( shepherds ) from Nandgaon come to Barsana to play Holi with the gopis of Barsana. The festival begins with a ceremony at the Radha Rani temple. After this ceremony gops then march out of the temple on the Rang Rangeeli Gali where they stop to play Holi with the gopis, who stand in groups along the street. The second day gops from Barsana go to Nandgaon to play holi with gopis at Nandgaon.

Holi played at Barsana is unique in the sense that here women chase men away with sticks. Males also sing provocative songs in a bid to invite the attention of women. Women then go on the offensive and use long staves called "lathis" to beat men folk who protect themselves with shields.

During intervals, participants sip 'thandai', a cold drink that is sometime intoxicating because it is laced with a paste called bhang, made of cannabis. Bhang and Holi go together. After drinking bhang, people react in different ways, some crave for sweets, others cry or laugh. It is an ecstatic experience, which is heightened by the revelry. It is a great way to de-stress and bond.

The air is thick with the scent of flowers and perfume. Rose petals and coloured powder rained on the pilgrims as they visited the deity sitting on his throne of flowers.

The women of Barsana start preparing a month in advance. 'The mother-in-laws feed their daughters-in-law rich food so that they show off their prowess on the Holi battle zone. It is a show of love, fun and equality.

Source: Wikipedia

Finally a 'Goodbye' !

I never intended to fall in love, but somehow I did. An year down the line, I just could not imagine where am I headed towards! But now that I realise that its love; a forbidden love, I choose to take my steps back. Back, not because suddenly am afraid of the purest feeling, but because he has refused to listen to his heart. While am all armed to go against the world and to face all the dire consequences to have him with me. All through the phase of falling in love with him, I was aware that he will end up hurting me, and then may be I will do the same. I will hurt him with much more intensity. I will leave him perplexed, in utter mess. Love, as I know is meant for happiness. But this love almost killed me. The 'real me' died in the process of loving him, caring for him, and making him realise that the feelings are mutual. Now, its the 'virtual me' that is tired of pleading with him all day and night. They say that 'the most special love is the most difficult one'. And our love, well its beyond words, its real. Yet it tears me apart every time I look at him or wait endlessly for a loving message from his side. I never (even in my worse dreams) had thought that of all people, he will be the reason for my endless tears. Anyway, I guess, I gave him much power to hurt me, ruin me, make me weak, and kill me. Enough of it has happened so far. So, I will pause here and take an about turn. And I promise not to leave without saying a 'goodbye'. Its really hard to bid adieu to someone who means so much to you. I am sure this pain will cease after sometime, but if I continue to fake a smile in front of him while I am dying inside then this pain will be with me for a lifelong. I love myself way too much so I can't expose myself to more pain. I have suffered a lot and I am not blaming anyone for that. May be its all a one-sided thing. May be he never felt that we could be anything more than best friends. But today I told him that I can no longer be his best friend and I wished him all the happiness of the world. How can I be best friends with someone I am in love with? Hope he understands and moves on. I am doing the same and I have no regrets. I am borne to be strong. I know that I will fix my heart again with tape and glue. Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing that you can't have. And so am letting my most precious thing go. I believe its for the best, and therefore finally gathering all the courage, I said the final words, "Am sorry, I can no longer be your best friend. Wish you all the happiness of the world. Here's a song especially dedicated to you -

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what's mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won't stop there,
I am here for you if you'd only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.

[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer and when I wake,
You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.
And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
I'd be the father of your child.
I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.
In mine when I'm asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I'm kneeling at your feet.
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.
I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.

Goodbye!"

Together Someday!

You love me, and I love you,

And I swear this love is true.

You say I'm your smile,

And you make my life worth while.

Yet our love is a difficult one,

So many problems and solutions none.

While am still ready to fight for us,

You choose to run and take a bus.

I don't understand what's scaring you,

For me, the only joy is seeing me and you.

I know deep down you want to hold my hand,

Once in a blue moon, will you try to understand?

You say you wouldn't ever say a goodbye,
But then why do you always make me cry?
If you want me in your life, then have the courage,
Don't treat me like a mere puppet on your stage.

Neither you let me go nor you hold me,
Am dying each day, can't you see?
Why is it so difficult for you to be with me?
Can't you just be in a relationship with me?

I keep on asking such random questions,
Questions sway in my mind without answers.
I wish someday soon you will realise,
And you would come to me with tears in your eyes.

You would then admit your love for me,
And then all the walls will break free.
I just hope you express soon and it does not get late,
I pray the fate remains on our side; the fate!

And then all around there will be joy,
'cause we will be together someday!!

I found his diary!

I found his diary underneath his pillow,
And I started reading the words that I always wanted to hear.
The words he had written took me by surprise,
Though I had already read them in his eyes. 
The words said that he had found the love he waited for. 
But the girl would never know it, he wouldn't show it. 

When he confronted with the writing there, 
And simply pretended not to care. 
I tried to ignore the fact that I felt the same,
He loved a girl who loved him too.
And still he tried to hide his feelings for her,
The love that he denied, for some reasons of his own.
But the girl would never know it, he wouldn't show it. 

And as I go through my life, I will give to him all my love.
All the sweet things that I can ever find. 

I found his diary underneath his pillow,
And I started reading the words that I always wanted to hear.
The words began to make me feel morose and tears began to flow,
His meaning now was clear to me, and it left me heart broken.
The love he'd waited for was always me but he wouldn't ever say it.
But I would now pretend that I don't know a single word that he wrote.

I will keep his secret in my heart,
Though its tearing my heart apart.
I know the reason now, I know why he wouldn't ever say,
Though the reasons are irrational, But I have no options.
But this secret love of ours is hurting us both,
So tonight I will let him go, we can't save 'us'.
Because loving him and faking not to, is killing me each day.

And as I go through my life, I will wish for his happiness. 
All the sweet things that he can ever find.