New Delhi: Even though Basant Panchmi comes at a when mornings are still foggy (especially in North India) and people are still battling the winter blues, there is a certain joie de vivre attached to the festival, which makes everyone spring to their feet.
Perhaps they look forward to bright, sunny days ahead, flowers in full bloom and the beginning of preparation for Holi, which falls forty days after the festival. According to the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchmi is celebrated on the first day of spring and falls on the fifth day of the month of Magha.
The festival is also celebrated in honour of Goddess Saraswati, who gives us the wealth of knowledge and we wear yellow because it is believed to be the favourite colour of the Goddess.
North India celebrates it with flying kites, in the East, people perform Saraswati Puja. Down South, it is known as Sri Panchami. In Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh people worship Shiva and Parvati on this day.
This is also the time when yellow blossoms of ripe mustard plants are in full bloom across rural India.
Who doesn’t remember the swaying yellow fields mustard fields made popular in Hindi films? For some people, this is their only association with the festival.
Bollywood has immortalised India’s sarson ke khet more than once. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol embracing in the midst of lush yellow fields in the iconic ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is etched in our mind.
Another movie, which comes to mind is ‘Veer Zaara’ and its song ‘Aisa Des Hai Mera.’
Did you know there is also a 1956 movie called ‘Basant Panchami’ starring Nirupa Roy, for which the legendary Asha Bhonsle sang this song?
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