A TRANSNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL SYNCRETISM AND SOCIAL COHESION

The structural framework of Fagu Purnima is deeply entrenched in Nepalese sociocultural dynamics. In the hilly regions, Holi incorporates performative folk traditions, with regional variations in dance and musical expressions. The Terai plains, on the other hand, emphasize collective participation in vibrant processions, reflecting the cross-cultural intersections between Nepal and North India. Culinary traditions, including the preparation of sel roti and gujiya, further reinforce the festival's embeddedness in Nepalese heritage.

- SIDDHARTHA DAVE

Holi, an ancient Hindu festival rooted in the Bhartiya subcontinent, has transcended its geographical and cultural origins to become a globally recognized phenomenon.

Functioning as both a ritualistic observance and a social unifier, the festival epitomizes the syncretic interplay of tradition and modernity.

In contemporary times, Holi has been reinterpreted and adapted by diverse communities worldwide, highlighting its role as a mechanism of cultural transmission, diasporic identity reinforcement, and intercultural solidarity.

From the ritualistic commemorations in Nepal to the diaspora-driven celebrations in Mauritius, Fiji, and Australia, Holi continues to symbolize the transcendence of historical narratives into the realm of collective human festivity.

NEPAL: FAGU PURNIMA AND THE RITUALIZATION OF HOLI

In Nepal, Holi assumes the form of Fagu Purnima, an intricate amalgamation of religious devotion, historical narratives, and cultural practices.

The commencement of the festival is marked by the erection of the 'Chir', a ceremonial bamboo pole adorned with colorful fabric, in Kathmandu's Basantapur Durbar Square.

This symbolic act signifies the initiation of a week-long observance, which manifests in diverse forms across Nepal's topographically and culturally distinct regions.

The structural framework of Fagu Purnima is deeply entrenched in Nepalese sociocultural dynamics.

In the hilly regions, Holi incorporates performative folk traditions, with regional variations in dance and musical expressions.

The Terai plains, on the other hand, emphasize collective participation in vibrant processions, reflecting the cross-cultural intersections between Nepal and North India.

Culinary traditions, including the preparation of sel roti and gujiya, further reinforce the festival's embeddedness in Nepalese heritage.