Holi/Phagwa
Celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago
Sunday 20th
March, 2022.
As Holi/Phagwa is being celebrated in Trinidad today, a few
thoughts on Chowtaal singing.
Chowtaal singing is the most popular of all the
various styles of singing done in the Holi/Phagwa celebrations of Trinidad and
Tobago. Of all the Chowtaals sung, the Chowtaal ‘Holi khele Raghubeera’ is the
perennial favourite. This Chowtaal was originally a Traditional Holi/Phagwa song
from Uttar Pradesh brought by the Indian indentured labourers who migrated from
that part of India. A few verses of the folk song related to Shree Ram were
taken and sung as Chowtaal for Holi/Phagwa. I feel everyone in Trinidad knows the
Chowtaal –‘Holi khele Raghubeera’. Its popularity is mainly due to the devotion
Trinidadians have for Bhagwaan Shree Ram and his exploits as described in the
Tulsikrit Ramayan by Goswami Tulsidas. This Chowtaal conjures beautiful images
in the mind of a devotee with Shree Ram playing Holi/Phagwa together with
Lakshman, Bharat, Satrughan, Maataa Sita etc. In my mind I felt Hanuman was missing
from the celebrations so I added a verse with him playing Holi/Phagwa with
Shree Ram.
Chowtaal/Trinidad Version of the Original folk song from
Uttar Pradesh-
होली खेले रघुवीरा, अवध में,
होली खेले रघुवीरा |
(1)
राम के हाथे कनक पिचकारी,
लछमन हाथे अबीरा, अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा
(2)
राम के हाथे ढोलक भल सोहे,
लछमन हाथे मंजीरा, अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा
(3)
भारत के हाथे कनक पिचकारी,
सत्रुघन हाथे अबीरा, अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा
(4)
सीता साथ बहुवे भोली,
उर्मिल साथ सखी टोली, अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा
(5) (nb This verse was added in)
हनुमान के हाथे लाल अबीरा,
प्रभु के चरण चढ़ाया, अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा
Holi khele Raghubeera, Avadh mein,
Holi khele Raghubeera.
(1)
Raam ke haathe kanak pichakaaree,
Latchiman haathe abiraa …
(2)
Raam ke haathe dholak bhal sohe,
Latchiman haathe majeeraa …
(3)
Bharat ke haathe kanak pichakaaree,
Satrughan haathe abiraa …
(4)
Seetaa saath bahuve bholee,
Urmilaa saath sakhee tolee …
(5) (nb This verse was added in)
Hanuman ke haathe laal abiraa,
Prabhu ke charan charaayaa …
Translation
The Hero of the Raghu clan, Shree Raam plays Holi/Phagwa in
Ayodhya.
(1) In Shree Ram’s hands is a golden pichkaaree (Hand pump
used to spray abir),
Latchman has abir (coloured powder) in his hands …
(2) Shree Ram looks good on the dholak (drum) and Latchman has the
majeeraa…
(3) In Bharat’s hands is a golden pichkaaree (Hand pump used
to spray abir),
Satrughan has abir (coloured powder) in his hands …
(4) Together with Maataa Sita are the other guileless daughters
in law, Urmilla has her friends on her team…
(5) The red abir in the hands of Hanuman is offered at the
feet of Prabhu Shree Ram.
