Thread by @ArjunPartho81

Basant panchami today!! 40 days bet. Panchami & Holi--the festival of colors. 40days is the time that a seasonal transition takes. In Bihar & UP these 40 days were celebrated by singing Chautal every day at a different house,

ending with a feast provided by the host. Singers save a special humorous song for the last, and usually addressed to children. Chautal became community bonding sessions, especially enjoyed by children.

Chautal is also celebrated by Indian diaspora---in countries such as Surinam, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago.
Here is a video from Chautal celebration in Fiji. youtube.com/watch?v=MrICQq…

Spring is also the marker of awakening--Ma Saraswati -Goddess of knowledge and learning is celebrated today! A favourite bhajan dedicated to Ma Saraswati: youtube.com/watch?v=E6q_JD…

A similar tradition exists in Rotuma, a small island in the Pacific (now a Fiji dependency)--during december. Sort of a summer spring time in the Pacific. Fara-as the tradition is called involves dancing and singing for nearly 40 days.

Beginning early december and ending in mid january. But as is the case when Christianity arrives it digests all festtivals into itself and removes the orignial concept.

Today Fara is considered a Christmas time Holiday. Here feast on some smooth, lively and funfilled Pacific dances!! youtube.com/watch?v=EBVSZ4…

The 40 days, of Vasantotsav (culminating in Holi) ws also r true 2 the soil: Valentine's day. As @drumbeatsofeden says 'It covers the rainbow of colors, emotions, music & expression! Watch as he explains the history & significance of Vasantotsav & holi!

@drumbeatsofeden Read more by @drumbeatsofeden here drumbeatsofeden.blogspot.com/2018/03/holi-d…

@drumbeatsofeden This is from last year's Holi celebration in temples in Delhi. Don't approve bringing Bollywood songs in the temples. But Krishna and Radha Swaroop is delightful.
youtube.com/watch?v=y1Y8Gn…

Indian Diaspora continues the tradition: Ramayana Mandali from Mauritius Sings Chautal

youtube.com/watch?v=TbRUI0…

Fiji Faag (Holi songs/Chautaal), 2020
youtube.com/watch?v=e7Wd22…

Thanks to Indo-Fijians, Chautaal being sung in Melbourne, Australia: youtube.com/watch?v=Xva1th…

Fiji Faag sung by high-school students. Training young in sangeet of culture is a sure way of carrying it forward!! (wish the recording system was better)--but the mandali's enthusiasm is for all to see: youtube.com/watch?v=pI3U8j…