Since what seems like World War 3 broke out a week ago, the fact that Holi was this past Wednesday (March 4) completely slipped my mind. I’m surprised that no one else on BP mentioned it either.
I just want to briefly share this recording of Gauhar Jaan singing “Mere Huzraat ne Madeene mein manayi Holi” (My Prophet played Holi in Medina). This is an example of the syncretic culture of Hindustani music. A Muslim artist (born Armenian Christian) singing a composition that references the Prophet of God celebrating a Hindu festival. This is the syncretic culture that has sadly been lost on both sides of the Radcliffe Line.
There is an excellent book on Gauhar Jaan titled My Name is Gauhar Jaan! (2010) by Vikram Sampath.
After the jump, there is another beautiful composition sung by Venkatesh Kumar. This is a thumri in Raga Mishra Kafi entitled “Aaj Khelo Shyam Sang Hori” (Let’s Play Holi with Shayam (Krishna) today”
Happy holi, paijaan.
Thank you.
Happy Holi to everyone celebrating.
Great Holi thread- thank you
you should do some sort of online lecture – course on this btw
Thanks for sharing. Gauhar Jaan’s story sounds fascinating. May pick up Sampath’s book.
Unfortunately since the first week of March, Indian mindspace has been occupied by the war in West Asia, the political drama catalysed by the mob lynching of Hindu Dalit youth by Muslims in Delhi and then the world cup.
Do pick up Sampath’s book.
I think Sampath wrote a book on Savarkar also.