It’s Holi, there’s a sense of freedom, fun and frolic in the air. But, it wasn’t always so. There was a time when Holi was celebrated as more of a religious ritual. And, as with most things, over the last few years, the festival of colours has turned into a commercial affair, and partying with international DJs has become the current trend.
But, step back to the 1970s, at a time when Holi marked the beginning of the local Shigmo festivities in the villages. It was played with a different enthusiasm, an exuberance of its own, and enjoyed by all Goans.
Generally, Holi comes after Carnival, and given that one of the most important elements of the Carnival floats is King Momo, the heads of the once-sleepy village of Assolna (in South Goa) decided to have their own Holi King.
It was in one summer of the late 1970s that the calm and content villagers of Assolna started this tradition.
Narayan Timble along with a few neighbours and friends came together and thought of a unique concept to make the Holi festival in Assolna exciting.
On the day of 'Holi', the 'Holi' King would dress up in interesting fancy clothes and makeup, which was mostly 'kajal' smeared around the eyes and so on. This would start at the 'ped' or junction of Assolna.Prashant Kane, member of Shri Vetal Temple Committee
They decided to dress up as the king and shishya (assistant to the king) and go around the village.
“Narayan Timble was the Assolna Holi King for a very long time. It was he who started it. The concept was just like Carnival’s King Momo,” says a local from Assolna, recalling how interesting the Holi celebrations were, especially at a time when social media didn’t exist, and other forms of entertainment were sparse.
During the first few years, the Holi King’s shishya was Kamlax Keni, from the village of Assolna.
Prashant Kane, a local from Assolna, who currently resides in Fatorda remembers witnessing this entertainment as a young lad, and gets nostalgic when he talks about the Holi King of yesteryears.
“On the day of Holi, the Holi King would dress up in interesting fancy clothes and makeup, which was mostly kajal smeared around the eyes and so on. This would start at the ped or junction of Assolna,” says Prashant.
The Holi King would read out a witty decree to the people present at the spot. Prashant adds, “It was mostly satirical, asking people to be responsible and more cautious.”
Over the years, a fancy dress competition was started, as part of the Holi celebrations that were organised by Shri Vetal Temple Committee in Assolna and the villagers would be a part of it
However, the tradition of the Holi King was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, although there are plans to revive it from the next year.
The younger generation of the locality is equally enthusiastic about this, and eager to elevate this fun and unique tradition to the next level.