Holi Hai...

It is the Holi week. This means that colours are on every one's mind. It did not hit me that it was Holi until Tuesday evening. I had planned to buy colours in the evening. That is when I went to Aminabad to get them. For those who are not from Lucknow, Aminabad is Lucknow's answer to all things jolly. You name it and you can buy it in Aminabad.

Aminabad is also famous for its celebration of all the festivals; from Deepawali to Holi, from Eid to Good Friday. So, as I was in Aminabad, it was beautifully lit up. In fact it was a double celebration time. It was Barawafat on Tuesday as well. So while shopkeepers made moolah, even the roadside vendors were making a kill. There wasn't enough room to even walk.

Then there was the usual competition for the best मंडप. The theme being Holi, there were kids sitting inside dressed as Radha Krishna. I could only imagine kids sitting there all day like a statue. Even the politicians had chipped in by sponsoring one of the blaring "deejai" on the road side.

There was complete anarchy at the paint shops to buy colour, as we Indians, more so Lucknowites, believe in leaving the best for last. So, after a dual for 20 minutes, and a few shirt buttons later, I emerged from the crowd, a little red and pink (from all the colour), but successful nevertheless.