Happy Holi Everyone!

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Mohib Ahmad

Mughal Emperor Jahangir Celebrating Holi

Wishing a happy Holi to all the readers. Above a painting circa 1635 AD of Mughal Emperor Jahangir celebrating the festival of Holi.

Also read a post by Yusuf Saeed on Holi’s Muslim History from last year. And enjoy it with a beautiful poem that places the Prophet in a very distinct Indian cultural mileu. It has been amazingly well rendered by Abida Parveen in the album Raqs-e-Bismil compiled by Muzaffar Ali.

horii hoye rahii hai Ahmad jiyaa ke dvaar
horii hoye rahii hai Ahmad jiyaa ke dvaar
Hajrat Ali kaa rang banaa hai Hasan Hussain khilaaR
horii hoye rahii hai Ahmad jiyaa ke dvaar

(horii : holi; Ahmad : another name of Prophet Muhammad; Ali : Cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad; Hasan : elder son of Hazrat Ali; Hussain : younger son of Hazrat Ali and the martyr of the battle of Karbala)

aiso horii kii dhuum machii hai
aiso horii ki dhuum machii hai
chahuuN or paRii hai pukaar
aiso anokho chatur khilaaRii
aiso anokho chatur khilaaRii
rang diiNyo sansaar

(chahuuN or : in every direction; anokho : unique; chatur : smart)

“Niaz” piyaraa bhar bhar chhiRke
“Niaz” piyaraa bhar bhar chhiRke
ek kii rang sahas pichkaar

(piyaraa : bowl; sahas : thousand)

horii hoye rahii hai Ahmad jiyaa ke dvaar
horii hoye rahii hai Ahmad jiyaa ke dvaar

Lyrics: Hazrat Shah Niaz
Singer: Abida Parveen
Album: Raqs-e-Bismil

Finally a poll:

Have You Ever Celebrated A Religious Festival Different From Your Own Religion?

  • Yes (72%, 53 Votes)
  • No (28%, 21 Votes)

Total Voters: 74

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Photo: Holi Painting

About Mohib Ahmad

Mohib is a management graduate, an Urdu aficionado and a photography amateur. He lives in Silicon Valley, California with his Dell XPS and lots of Maggi noodles. Follow Mohib on Twitter at http://twitter.com/apnawatan. Connect with Mohib at Facebook.
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One Response to Happy Holi Everyone!

  1. Adal says:
    March 11, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Holi, the festival of spring, which is considered conducive to love was originally a Hindu festival,nodoubt. But Muslims and others also join the Hindus to celebrate it not only in India and Nepal but in distant places like UK,USA, Trinidad, Fiji and Mauritious!This year in Mumbai Hindus and Muslims celebrated it ! But in UP persons of one community clashed with other community members. It is very unfortunate, moreover on the eve of polls. Hope the state and Central Govt. takes prompt action and ensure that it does not spread to other places too.The media nad public should condemn such irresponsible acts.