Colors at Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan, the birth place of Rabindranath Tagore has been a magnet to millions especially during Holi. We have heard about the famous Basant Utsav at Shantiniketan right from our childhoods. This time was a real opportunity to have experienced the wonderful event.
How would you feel, when a complete stranger comes up to you and fills your face with color (aabir / gulaal)?
This has been the most wonderful thing that I personally have even experienced.

Girls in yellow sarees with flowers (Palash Phool) around their necks; boys in yellow or white kurta-pajamas - dancing down the streets on Tagore songs. Strangers, including children, coming up to color you, folk singers singing the famous compositions of Lalon Fakir and dance performances of Tagore songs in every corner of the Amro-Kunj (the mango garden).
While capturing few moments, my viewfinder caught few foreign tourists playing with the colors. Later they expressed their enthusiasm and excitement regarding holi at 'Shantiniketan'.

As a whole, the colorful and cultural atmosphere is worth visiting over and over again.

Another awesome place was the market place at Shona-Jhuri (Shantiniketan) where the crowd was busy purchasing handmade goods reflecting the traditional art form of Dokras (better known as Dokra-Shilpo).

The opening of the Basant Utsav with Rabindranath Tagore's "Grihobashi Laglo Je Dol" which continued for 45minutes without a stop was remarkable. The students of the university who participate every year, are flawless in their performances, whether it be music or dance. Here is also a snap of the main stage where the event takes place.

Photos Taken by Utsav Bhanja (for AddiQtd).
Date: 19th March, 2011
Place: Shantiniketan (West Bengal, India)