Hi friends, Holi-- the festival of colours and romance is just round the corner. Considered to be one of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated by applying colours and offering sweets to one another. Janelle's vibrant studio apartment below is just apt for this post.
Holi has several mythological and social significance. Of the several mythological stories associated with it, the most popular is that of Krishna, his consort Radha and his other admirers Gopikas or Gopinis.
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| Krishna playing Holi with Radha and Gopinis |
In many parts of northern India, Raasleela, a dance form depicting life and romantic episodes of Lord Krishna, is performed on this occasion. According to myths, Radha had fair complexion while Krishna was dark. One day He asked his mother, Yashoda, why He was dark and Radha was fair. His mother jokingly asked Him to take some colour and apply it on Radha’s face to darken her as well. Krishna then approached Radha quietly and applied the colour on her face. It is believed that since then, playing with colours on the day of Holi became a tradition. It is also considered a romantic occasion for young lovers.
On this day, several temples are decorated with flowers and lights and idols of Krishna and Radha are placed on swings while singers sing folk songs associated with Holi and play with colours and flowers. Many Bollywood films have also romanticised the festival. There are thousands of songs on the theme of love-relationship between Radha and Krishna, which are sung during Holi.
Holi also signifies friendship and brotherhood as people visit one another on this day to play with colours.
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| Basant Utsav in Shantiniketan | |
Popularly known as Vasantotsav, this festival, celebrated in Spring every year, attracts thousands of tourists in Shantiniketan, the abode of poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Here the festival is celebrated in a dignified manner -- not only with colours but also through dance, music and chanting of hymns while it is more boisterous in most other parts of India. The month of Phagun marks the advent of spring and ripening of crops in Northern India. It is considered a season of romance and excitement, folk songs and dances.
So to signify this energetic festival, I felt that it would be ideal to show you Janelle's brilliant and iridescent Washington DC home-- full of colours.
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| Cheerful entrance sets the mood |
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| Vibrant Living-dining area |
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| Green chairs take their cue from the green kitchen |
This apartment will show you how several shades can co-exist in a harmonius manner and can even heighten the aesthetics. Her house was among the five finalists from the US in the BEHR Room for Color Contest.
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| Riot of colours |
"Go big. Go bold. Commit, but be sure to take the time to test drive colors", advices Janelle.
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| Very posh purple bedroom |
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| Walk-in closet |
"Aspiring color comrades, I suggest you never fear, do your homework, and wear sunglasses if ya need to!" this is Janelle's parting shot.
That is the idea behind Holi as well. So enjoy the weekend. Happy Holi to you all!! May all the hues of nature touch your life and make it colourful. Do remember to leave a comment!!
Holi images courtesy The Hindu, www.4to40.com
Janelle apartment images via Apartment Therapy
