Mumbai: Basanta Utsav is observed annually in March, aligning with the Bengali months of Falgun and Chaitra. In 2024, the festival falls on March 25th. This event celebrates the onset of spring, a season symbolising rejuvenation and new beginnings.

While Holi paints India with a dazzling spectrum of colours each spring, Santiniketan in West Bengal welcomes the season with a more refined celebration called ‘Basanta Utsav.’ Set against the lush backdrop of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University, this festival captures the grace and elegance of spring.

Distinct from the spirited Holi festivities in other regions, Basanta Utsav in Santiniketan exudes a tranquil charm. Santiniketan, renowned for its cultural heritage and artistic pursuits, attracts enthusiasts and learners alike. During Basanta Utsav, the town undergoes a magical transformation, luring visitors from various parts of the country.

The renowned Indian Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, inaugurated Basanta Utsav, a significant cultural festival in India that has gained international acclaim. As Holi, one of North India’s most prominent festivals, draws near, West Bengal gears up for its highly anticipated annual event, Basanta Utsav, established by the Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Inspired by spring’s mesmerising beauty and vivid hues, Tagore introduced the spring celebration during Basant Panchami in the 1920s. Over the years, the festival merged with the national Holi festivities, retaining its graceful essence. Today, Santiniketan celebrates it as ‘Rabindrik Basanta Utsav,’ drawing massive crowds annually.

While Basanta Utsav has its own unique flair, it shares the common theme of welcoming spring and the happiness it brings. In Santiniketan, the festivities feature playful colour applications and the exchange of traditional delicacies. The celebration kicks off with Holika Dahan, where bonfires are ignited, and blessings are sought for a prosperous year.

The next day, people joyfully splash colours and engage in playful water fights with pichkaris. The atmosphere resonates with laughter, music, and dance, with participants smudging each other’s faces with colours symbolising joy. Traditional treats like gujiya, mathri, and dahi bhalla add to the festive ambience.

While Basanta Utsav captures Santiniketan’s distinct charm, Holi is celebrated across India with varying traditions and names. For instance, Bihar observes Phaguwa, or Phagwah, a five-day festivity starting on the full moon day of Phalgun.

In Uttar Pradesh, Lathmar Holi sees women humorously hitting men with sticks, while men shield themselves. Despite regional differences, both Holi and Basanta Utsav resonate with the same spirit: celebrating spring’s advent, the victory of good over evil, and the unifying force of love and harmony.