The age of Holi in real life is from time immemorial but the age of Holi songs on screen is some 60-70 years old!
In our country, the tradition of burning Holika is from time immemorial. Holi songs started being sung at the time of the burning of – this can be a matter of research. But, the time of the beginning of ‘Holi-songs’ on the film screen (the age of film Holi) is some sixty-seventy years old.
Songs have become a part of our lives. The Holi song from the film ‘Mother India which came on the screen in the year 1950 – “Holi Aayee Re Kanhai…” and the Holi song from the film ‘Navrang’ – “Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat…” is still on our mind. In a true sense, it is from here that the scene of Holi from the film screen also emerges on the table of our thinking.
Year after year the songs sung on the occasion of Holi have become a part of our real-life Holi. Songs like this ‘Aayee Holi Aayee’ (Guide), ‘Aaj Na Chhotenge Bas Humjoli’ (Kati Patang), ‘Dil Me Holi Jal Rahi Hai’ (Wounded), ‘Mal De Gulal Mohen’ (Kamachoor), ‘Rang Barse Bhenge Chunarwali’ ( Silsila), ‘Piya Sang Kheloon Holi’ (Fagun), ‘Meri Pehle Hi Tang Thi Choli’ (Soutan), ‘Mohe Chhedo Na’ (Lamhe), ‘Dekho Aayi Holi’ (Mangal Pandey), ‘Holi Khele Raghuveera’ ( Bagwaan), ‘Ang se ang laga re sajan’ (Darr), ‘Holi ke din dil khil jaate hai (Sholay), and ‘Balam pichkari jo tune mujhe mari to seedhi saadi chori sharabi ho gay (Goliyon ki leela Ramleela).
If songs are not played on the day of Holi, imagine how colorless Holi would become. Holi of Raj Kapoor’s ‘RK Studio’ increased the importance of Holi across the country. Roads used to get jammed outside the studio. RK Band hai to Holi at Amitabh’s house, Holi at Shahrukh Khan’s house, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, and actor Chandra Shekhar’s house has also been a sight to behold. People from all over the country used to come to Mumbai for this.
Throwing stars in a tub filled with bhang, abeer, gulal, and water while drinking beer has been a breathtaking moment. Holi special issue of your favorite magazine ‘Mayapuri’ is being preserved by many people even today. The glow of the same intoxicating Holi has faded for the last two-three years. We wish this Holi auspiciousness for all! Play Holi, play with an open heart. But also remember this – “Bura na mano holi hai!”
