JOIN USThe sight of yellow and pink hues in nature excites one as the spring makes its presence felt in India. In the cultural context, each one of us, especially in North India, feel animated by the thought of the festival of Holi that marks a change in the season by bringing us close to colours.
Though there is the much-recounted story of Holika and Prahlaad to remind all of the significance of our rich colourful traditions and heritage, there is also the presence of colours that make this spring festival special.
“Specific centres in the brain respond to colours differently. And culture plays an important role,” says Dr Preeti Singh, consultant clinical psychology, Paras Hospital, Gurgaon. She talks about the “universal colours such as yellow and blue which more or less denote the same meaning across the globe”.
It is widely known that red represents anger or aggression and green refers to jealousy! But “if you are facing issues with finances, you should use green and yellow colours when you play Holi,” says spiritual healer Madhu Kotiya. “Mix a pinch of cinnamon powder to these colours and it will open the doors of abundance by clearing the financial obstructions.”
Kotiya even suggests use of red and pink herbal gulal “mixed with sandalwood and rose petals to create harmony and love in the family” and brown or red with a pinch of turmeric and cardamom powder to raise the concentration of students who are busy preparing for their exams. “For those who are suffering from health problems, they must use blue and purple colours with lavender fragrance,” she adds.
Dr Singh shares that playing Holi is no less than a stress-buster. “The process of colour dissemination is quite therapeutic for people who generally don’t let go,” she says.
Though it has of late become fashionable to wear white on Holi, there is a positive reason behind it. “White tends to absorb all colours allowing them to have a better impact on your psyche and you end up enjoying the festival more,” explains Dr Singh.
There is no doubt that colour therapy or chromotherapy is a separate discipline today, but our ancestors must have had knowledge of the power and impact of colours, to have started this tradition of playing with them on Holi!