Celebrate Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan: A Unique Holi in West Bengal
How Big is Holi Festival
Holi, known as the “festival of colors,” is one of the largest and most vibrant celebrations in India. Rooted in ancient Hindu religious traditions, it takes place on the full moon of spring in the month of March. Celebrated across various regions of India including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Delhi, and Maharashtra, as well as in parts of Nepal and Pakistan. In Nepal, the festival is known as Fagu Purnima or Holi, while in Pakistan it is called Phagwah or Holi, and it is celebrated by the Hindu community. Over time, Holi has gained immense popularity among non-Hindu communities, and today, it is celebrated with fervor even in Western countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and UAE, where tourists and Indian expatriates participate in the festivities.
Mythological Story of Holi in India
Legend of Prahlada and Holika
The celebration of Holi has ancient origins and is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Holi derives its name from Holika, the demoness sister of the evil King Hiranyakashyap. According to the Bhagvata Purana, there lived an evil king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India. He wanted to avenge the death of his brother, who was killed by Lord Vishnu. He performed severe penance and prayer for many years and was granted a boon. Powered by the boon, arrogant Hiranyakashipu considered himself invincible and demanded worship of him, not to God. However, his son Prahlada remained devoted to Lord Vishnu, despite numerous attempts by the king to change his beliefs. Seeking to eliminate Prahlada, Hiranyakashyap enlisted the help of his sister Holika, who had a boon to be immune to fire. Holika sat on a pyre with Prahlada on her lap, intending for the fire to harm him. But good always wins over evil! Holika was burnt to ashes, and young Prahlada emerged unscathed due to his complete submission to God. This event, commemorated as Holika Dahan, symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Today, on the night before Holi, bonfires are lit to reenact this legend and celebrate the victory of righteousness.
Legend of Radha and Krishna
According to another legend, Krishna was cursed with blue skin by a demon, and he worried that his fair-skinned consort, Radha, would no longer love him because of his appearance. Distressed by this, he complained to Mother Yashodha about the perceived injustice. To pacify Krishna, Yashoda suggested that he put colors of his choice on Radha’s face. It is said that Radha, Krishna, and other gopis then played Holi, applying colors and sprinkling colored water on each other using pichkaris. This tradition continues to this day, with people playing with colors and pichkaris during Holi festivities. The playful Holi celebration of Krishna and Radha with the Gopis is well documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, and scriptures.
Origins of Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan
Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan traces its origins back to 1907 when Samindranath, the youngest son of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore, initiated the ‘Ritu Utshob’ to herald the arrival of spring. Initially, the celebration included songs, dances, music, and dramas but did not involve the use of colors. However, Rabindranath Tagore later transformed the festival by introducing the tradition of celebrating it on the day of Basanta Purnima or Holi, adding the ethereal charm of the colorful Holi festivities to the event. This transition occurred in either 1932 or 1925, depending on various accounts. Since then, Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan has been celebrated with cultural programs followed by the joyful application of colors to one another, marking the essence of the festival.
Why Santiniketan has a Unique Holi
Holi celebration at Bolpur Santiniketan, West Bengal is a unique blend of cultural heritage, artistic expression, and the spirit of spring and the name Basanta Utsav (festive of the spring) well justified.
Cultural Heritage: Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan has deep roots in the cultural ethos of Bengal. Originating from the vision of Rabindranath Tagore, education based on ancient Indian tradition, school of world education, creativity, unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries make Visva-Bharati University a living heritage university to receive the UNESCO World Heritage tag in 2023. The festive reflects the rich cultural heritage of Bengal.
Artistic Expression: Santiniketan is synonymous with art, music, and dance, and Basanta Utsav reflects this artistic fervor. The celebration includes performances of Rabindra Sangeet, Tagore’s songs dedicated to spring, and traditional dance of Santiniketan, folks like the Baul song and Santali dance. The entire ambiance resonates with creativity, as students, teachers, and visitors participate in cultural programs, recitations, and musical performances.
Nature’s Embrace: Set amidst the picturesque backdrop of Santiniketan’s sprawling campus, Basanta Utsav celebrates the arrival of spring in all its glory. The campus adorned with blooming palash, simul, krishna chura, radha chura, jarul, amalatas, fagun bou and greenery, becomes a canvas for the colorful festivities. Participants often dress in traditional attire, with yellow and red hues dominating the landscape, symbolizing the vibrancy of spring.
Community Spirit: Basanta Utsav fosters a sense of community and inclusivity. People from all walks of life come together to participate in the festivities, transcending barriers of age, gender, religion and social status. Visitors are welcomed with open arms, and the joyous atmosphere encourages camaraderie and mutual respect. The Basant Utsav attracts foreigners as well with its charm and cultural richness, extending its allure beyond local communities.
Joyful Abir Khela: The highlight of Basanta Utsav is the ‘abir khela’ or the playful application of colored powder or gulal. Unlike traditional Holi celebrations that may involve water and synthetic colors, Santiniketan’s Holi emphasizes the use of natural ‘abir’ made from flowers. This eco-friendly approach aligns with the ethos of sustainability and reverence for nature.
Traditional Basanta Utsav Celebration at Santiniketan
In the early hours of the day, around 7:00 am, the Basanta Utsav at Santiniketan starts with a prettiest dancing march within the at Amrakunja, premises of Visva-Bharati University campus. Students, teachers, and visitors alike join this march, with boys dressed in traditional white or bright yellow panjabi/kurta and white pajama, while girls adorn yellow sarees, red or green blouses, and garlands of local palash flowers. They sing the title song of the program, “Ore Grihobasi Khol daar khol laaglo je dol…” and dancing with sticks (like dandya dance) in synchronized rows, moving towards the main programme area. This traditional opening, with the fresh aroma of blossoms around the campus, is a major highlight of the Santiniketan Basanta Utsav.
Following the dance march is a grand cultural program, uniquely curated with Rabindra Sangeet (songs by Rabindranath Tagore dedicated to Spring), classical music and dance performances, and poetry recitations by students and teachers of the university. The cultural program ends with the song “Rangiye diye jaao jaao jaao go ebar jaabar aage…” followed by the most exciting part of the day, the abir khela, where people joyously apply abir or dry colored or gulal powder, traditionally made from dry flowers, on each other as a gesture of greetings, love, and joy. The spirit of Spring permeates everyone’s steps and hearts, as the atmosphere becomes infused with vivacious colors, enjoyment, and pleasures.
In the evening, around 7:00 pm, on the same stage, a selected dance-drama or nirtonatto of Rabindranath Tagore is presented by the students and teachers of the Sangeet Bhavana (Department of Dance, Drama, and Music) at Visva-Bharati.
During the Holi holidays, if you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing time by the sea, Puri can be the perfect destination for you. Here’s a detailed description of what you can expect from a trip to Puri.
How to Reach and 2 Days Itinerary for Bolpur Santiniketan Trip
Reaching Bolpur Santiniketan:
The nearest airports of Santiniketan are Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata and Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (RDP), Durgapur. Bolpur Santiniketan is 3 hours by train from Kolkata and 2 hours by road from Durgapur. If you are coming in Basanta Utsav then reach day before evening. For visiting other time morning train from Kolkata is best suit. The university campus is 3 km from Bolpur Santiniketan station.
Day 1:
Get-up early in morning and dressed up with tradition of locals for the Basanta Utsav. Witness the sunrise and advised to reach the programme site by 6:30 am because roads are very full of people. After reaching there you will first find the dancing march by the students and teachers of the university. Next enjoy the cultural programme and at the end of it abir khela or putting colors to others. After it, walk around the campus that will definitely surprise you with its charms. Whenever you feel return to hotel.
At evening you can explore popular street foods golgappa, momo, doifuchka, handloom shopping and participate in the evening programme drama-dance which starts at 7:00 pm and about one hour.
Day 2:
Visit Gour prangan, Amrakunja, Salbithi, Tin Pahar Upasana Griha, museum Uttarayan. After that visit to Sonarjhuri where you can buy sovenaires from locals. In the evening take train to return back to Kolkata with lot of colorful memories.
Best Time to Visit Santiniketan:
- Santiniketan offers something special in every season, so you can choose the time that best suits your preferences and interests. During the summer, from April to July, temperatures range between 28°C to 36°C. The winter months, from October to March, offer pleasant temperatures ranging from 16°C to 26°C, making it comfortable for sightseeing, attending cultural events, and exploring the natural beauty of Santiniketan.
- The main highlights of Santiniketan, such as the Poush Mela held from 23rd to 26th December and the Basanta Utsav celebrated in March, attract a large number of tourists. If you plan to visit during these events, be prepared for higher hotel prices and a significant influx of visitors.
Here are some important reminders for your trip to Santiniketan:
- Traveling with a photo ID is advisable.
- On the day of Holi, consider wearing traditional attire to immerse yourself fully in the festive spirit. Don’t forget to carry abir or gulal,
- While participating in Basanta Utsav or any other cultural events, respect the local customs and traditions of Santiniketan.
- Santiniketan offers a variety of accommodation options including hotels, guest houses, resorts, and homestays. If you wish to experience authentic Bengali hospitality and cuisine, homestays are the ideal choice.