Felicity celebrates Phagwa in burst of colour

Freelance Contributor

A burst of colour, music and tradition filled the air on Sunday as hundreds of residents from Felicity, Charlieville and surrounding communities gathered at the Pierre Road Recreation Ground to celebrate Phagwa, also known as Holi.

Clouds of vibrant powder rose above the crowd as a rainbow of colours splashed across the field and onto smiling faces, transforming the grounds into a lively canvas of celebration. Children ran through the gathering tossing handfuls of gulal and abeer, while elders, families and visitors joined in singing traditional chowtal songs that echoed across the venue.

The festive atmosphere—marked by laughter, music and camaraderie—reflected the enduring cultural significance of the Hindu spring festival, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the renewal of life.

Bavesh Maharaj, vice-president of the Pierre Road Ramayan and Chowtal Group, said the Pierre Road Recreation Ground has served as a central gathering place for Phagwa celebrations for decades.

“Festivities at this venue started in 1975,” Maharaj explained, noting that the tradition has steadily grown over the years. “But Phagwa itself is not new to this community or to Trinidad and Tobago.”

The festival traces its local roots to the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the mid-19th century. Beginning with the landing of the Fatel Razack in 1845, East Indian immigrants brought with them a range of cultural and religious traditions, including the joyous observance of Phagwa.

Despite the hardships of plantation life during the period of Indian indentureship in Trinidad and Tobago, workers preserved their customs through prayer, music and community gatherings. Over time, Phagwa evolved from small estate observances into one of the country’s most vibrant cultural festivals, marked by chowtal singing, drumming and the playful throwing of coloured powders.

While Phagwa is widely celebrated across Trinidad and Tobago, it is not an official public holiday. Traditionally, the festivities take place on the Sunday following the burning of the effigy of Holika—a ritual symbolising the destruction of evil in Hindu mythology.

For communities like Felicity and Charlieville, the celebration continues to serve as an important cultural anchor, drawing not only Hindu devotees but people of all backgrounds eager to experience the joyous spectacle.

Maharaj noted that attendance at the Pierre Road event has grown steadily each year as more people learn about and appreciate the festival.

“The celebration continues to attract more people annually,” he said, adding that the event has become a highlight on the community’s cultural calendar.

Despite its popularity, organising the annual celebration is not without challenges. Maharaj acknowledged that funding remains one of the biggest hurdles faced by organisers.

“Financing the event is always a challenge,” he said. “But the community really steps up and contributes in whatever way they can.”

That spirit of collective support, he added, reflects the true essence of Phagwa—a celebration not only of colour and music, but also of unity, generosity and shared cultural heritage.