Hundreds of people participated in one of the largest Phagwa celebrations hosted in T&T. The event, organised by Spectrum Initiative, was held at the Knowles Street Recreation Ground, Curepe, yesterday.
Participants included both Hindus and non-Hindus dousing each other in abir and powder in a vibrant colour display. Colourland got underway around 1 pm.
Despite the late start, excited adults and children welcomed the cool spray of abir and splashed coloured powder on each other.
Spectrum Initiative president Vinayak Sankar explained the new organisation’s aim was “to uphold the culture of our forefathers and ensure the culture doesn’t die.”
He said they also wanted to introduce progressive cultural experiences to engage the youth so that the tradition could be passed from one generation to another.
Yesterday’s event was the second annual occasion to be held since COVID and featured seven chowtal groups from around the country along with top local singers and dance groups.
Nirmala Roodal of the Shree Sankar Chowtal Group, Felicity, expressed happiness at being invited to participate in the celebration.
She said, “I love my culture, and I have been singing for the past 35 years.”
Pledging to keep the tradition alive, she said, “We have to encourage the younger generation to get this back, it is very important.”
On the general breakdown in family life and how those who had lost their way could be rescued, Roodal said, “Our leaders have to learn how to talk to the younger generation. It is not like in our days, where we were seasoned. This younger generation, we need them to support them, and we have to talk to them nicely to pull them towards you.”
