Chhavi Bhatia

Tikri Border: On Monday morning, Sukha Brar was engrossed in a discussion around harvesting when he felt a whip hitting him. Taking a few seconds to gather his senses as he processed the sharp pain, he saw his friends, instead of defending, running for cover. Bemused and somewhat taken aback, the 42-year-old followed suit with women on hot pursuit, all in celebratory fun though.

This was the first time Brar and many farmers from Punjab were tasting Haryanavi way of celebrating Holi called Kordha Holi. As per the tradition in Haryana, sisters-in-law playfully beat their brothers-in-law on Holi for all the mischief and pranks they play with them all year through. The weapon of assault is Kordha(hunter), wet odhnis woven into a rope, hence the name Kordha Holi.

The Kisan Aandolan which has completed more than four months on Delhi borders, is offering enriching lessons in cultural awareness for Punjab and Haryana. From cuisine, attire, lifestyle to festivals, the factions between the two cultures are blurring with people from both the sides embracing the new insights. “Back in Punjab, we celebrate Dulendi with dry colours and our main festival is Hola Mohalla. I found this ritual of beating men rather amusing but also felt happy for the women that they can vent their ire, mock or otherwise,” grinned Brar. “We are happy to be sharing our customs with our brothers from Punjab. Our bhabhis would have never got the opportunity to thrash their dewars from Punjab if not for the morcha,” Rambir Singh from Nilokheri said.

Womenfolk, who are asserting their presence at the protest since it began, played Kordha Holi with the same feisty spirit they are holding the fort with. Riding on the principle of a battle well-prepared is half won, they had brought lot of spare dupattas and soaked them in water overnight. While Haryanvi men knew what was in the offing when the tais gheraoed them, witty scenes were played every time the women went after the Punjabis. “Ae vi vadiya shugal mela aa. Sahnu taan pata hi hun chaleya ki Holi te kutt vi paindi aa(This is great fun too. We got to know today that you also get beaten up on Holi),” smiled 62-year-old Gurnam Singh

Tikri border has a lot of farmers from Hisar, Rohtak, Jind, Sirsa, Bhiwani camping with their Punjabi brethren, mostly from the Malwa belt since November 26. With as many as 11 rounds of talks between the peasants and the government hitting a dead end, the former are celebrating festivals at the protest site itself.

Meanwhile at Singhu, in a reverse lesson, Haryana closely witnessed Hola Mohalla celebrations. The three-day long Sikh festival is celebrated in March, generally a day after Holi where Nihang Singhs showcase their martial skills in mock fights. As they fought in army columns, replete with war-drums at Singhu, Haryana farmers were left in awe of the dexterity, fearlessness and courage of Guru ki Fauj. Given the ongoing farmers’ protest, the Nihang Singhs had decided to hold Hola Mohalla at Singhu border too apart from the annual celebrations at Anandpur Sahib.