living color

The Saffron
by Mirabai 1504, Rajasthan, India

The saffron of virtue and contentment
Dissolved in love and affection
Pink and red clouds of emotion fly about
Limitless colors raining down...

I have thrown away all shame before the world
Mira's Lord is the Mountain-Holder, the suave lover
I sacrifice myself, to His lotus feet


Holi (The Festival of Colors) is celebrated in India on March 15th this year. This is a time zeal and exuberance as spring beckons us to let go of what has already passed and celebrate with new hope, what is to come. Holi is a festival of wild processions, loud drumming, mischievous pranks, dancing the rasalila, throwing colored powders at every passerby and shouting:

Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai!
Don't be angry, it's Holi!

Krishna as a young boy, asked the reason for his dark color while Radha was so fair. His mother suggested that he smear colours on Radha's face too and change her complexion to any color he wanted. Captivated by the idea, Krishna proceeded to do so and thus, introduced the play of color.