Thakur Ranjit Singh
As the melodious singing of Faag (fagua, chautaal) rang and echoed against the green picturesque trees at Corbans Arts Centre, Henderson, Auckland on Sunday March 4, 2018, it heralded another milestone for Waitakere Indian Association (WIA).
This was 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 WIA.
Gift of India
India in general and Hinduism in particular has given the world some festivals which embrace the entire 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.
WIA is an award-winning organisation, run by volunteers since 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 a voluntary organisation and festivals for the community sans any commercial motive.
Community perspective
It was a milestone this Holi, as WIA listened to the public and did a fusion of traditional and modern Holi celebrations. This is what we call ‘Sangam’ (meeting) of Purab (East) aur (and) 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.
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 with the meeting of youthful revellers with the mixture of relatively older audience, and 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 sunny day.
Youngsters enjoy
Multiracial groups of youth crowded the ringside stage area to jump to the occasion of dancing to the enthralling music from DJ Manish Gabroo.
Children filled their water guns and water bottles with coloured water and chased each other in the open ground. They also grabbed coloured powders and enjoyed with their families. The older ones smeared each other with coloured powers or Gulal, coming out of their usual shyness.
This year, WIA took charge of sale of Gulal and sold almost half a ton of colours.
The food stalls did brisk business.
Multicultural pull
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.
We had quality stage items to allow more time for public dancing.
WIA functions would be incomplete without the auntie-niece team of Jocelyn Singh and Joshlyn Grace, on thrilling Bollywood numbers.
Guests of Honour
Politicians and community leaders mingled freely with their supporters and, took photos which are now gracing the pages of Facebook. Among them were Phil Twyford, Linda Cooper, National List MPs Kanwal Singh Bakshi, Alfred Ngaro and Dr Paramjeet Parmar, Labour’s Michael Wood, Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Barbara Russell with Ami Chand of Portage Licensing Trust and Bhikhu Bhana from NZ Indian Central Association (NZICA).
WIA President Mahendra Sharma welcomed all, and said, “Now, Waitakere Holi Mela has developed into an event, not only for Indians but also for the wider New Zealand community. Celebrating the Festival of Colours in our multicultural city is seen as a way to continue building better relations with the community.”
Credible Organisation
Housing and Transport Minister Phil Twyford stood out as an ardent supporter and admirer of WIA. He said: “WIA is the best managed organisation, very transparent, run by credible people with credible leadership. This event signifies victory of good over evil and equality for mankind is the message that we should all emulate.”
Other politicians and sponsors also spoke about the great event and the way it has brought good in all of us in the West.
The fusion of East and West made Waitakere Holi memorable. Many are already looking forward to the function next year.
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.’
Another story on Holi appears in this Section.
Photo :
- Traditional Faag by Ram Mandir brought the mood of colours
- Young and old dancing at the Festival
- National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi pouring kava for Mahendra Kumar, watched by Manoj Tahal, Alfred Ngaro and Sunil Kaushal
(Pictures supplied by Thakur Ranjit Singh)
