Upon completion of one of his several visits to India, a foreign visitor once remarked, "If I were to make a calendar of events including each Indian festival celebrated and all holidays observed, I might run out of days in a year, but not the events." That might be a slight exaggeration; nevertheless India is certainly a land of festivals. There's a festival of lights, a festival of colors, an entire season devoted for worshipping Lord Shiva, and yet another to celebrate the birth of Yashoda's Nandlala- our Krishna Kanhaiya.

Given such a vast variety of occasions to celebrate and days to commemorate, it is very difficult to pinpoint the most favorite and popular one when it comes to Indian films and film directors. However, personally, I feel the one festival that has consistently enjoyed a special place in Hindi cinema has been none other than Holi - the Rungon ka Tyohar. From old films to new, from the time of Ashok Kumar to Amitabh, Rajesh to Rishi, Wahida to Rekha and many more, no one has escaped from the Rung of Holi.

In the film Kati Patang, Rajesh Khanna is determined to play Holi with Asha Parekh even against her will.

"Aaj Na Chhodenge Bus Humjoli,
Khelenge Hum Holi,
Khelenge Hum Holi.
Chahe Bheege Teri Chunariya
Chahe Bheege Re Choli,
Khelenge Hum Holi."

On the other hand, this comparatively shy Premee is requesting his Premika's permission for coloring her with Holi's color.

"Aayo Fagun Rangilo
Gori Chunari Se Pilo
Rung Daran De.
Daran De Ho
Rung Daran De."

Then there's Wahida Rehman in the song "Piya Tose Naina Lage Re," among her friends on the day of Holi. She can't totally enjoy herself since her lover's away.

"Aayee Holi Aayee Ho...
Sub Rung Layee
Piya Bin Holi Bhi Na Bhaye
Bhar Pichkari Ho...
Sakhiyon Ne Mari
Bheegi Mori Sari Haye Haye."

In Silsila, Rekha is shown having a good time when Amit aims his Pichkari right at her white Dupatta as he sings:

"Rung Barse Bheege Chunar Vali
Rung Barse.
Keenhe Mari Pichkari Tori Bheegi Angiya
Rung Rasiya O Rung Rasiya."

Amitabh shamelessly proceeds with the song and dance as he gets more and more immersed in Holi ka nasha aur Bhang ka maza at the cost of Sanjeev Kumar, who happens to be the Balam indicated in these verses:

"Sone Ki Thari Mein Jyona Parosa
Khaye Gori Ka Yaar, Balam Tarse
Rung Barse.

Longa Ilaachi Ka Beeda Lagaya
Chabey Gori Ka Yaar, Balam Tarse
Rung Barse"

Even Jaya Bhaduri, playing Amitabh's wife cannot hide her feelings as her husband sings on:

"Bela Chameli Ka Seja Bichhaya
Soye Gori Ka Yaar, Balam Tarse
Rung Barse."

The gharelu celebration of Holi with the folk touch depicted in this song was an instant hit and won the hearts of the viewers. They came again and again to watch their favorite hero and heroine submerged in the colors of Holi.

Among Bhappi Lahri's first few hits was this song with the rung of Masti.

"Aalee Re Aalee Re Holi
Aalee Re Aaalee Re Holi
Aalee Mastano Ki Toli
Toofan Dil Mein Liye...
Toofan Dil Mein Liye."

And this is true. Everyone has in his or heart a Toofan during the Holi season - the colors of Josh and Masti perfectly blended in Mischief. For young men, this might be just the chance they had been waiting for.

"Holi Re Holi
Rungo Ki Holi,
Tere Ghar Aayee Hum
Masto Ki Toli.
Mukh Na Chhupa...
O Rani Samne Aa."

The women realize that the men have mischief at the back of their minds. They know that their intention is to come closer with the excuse of playing Holi. So they sing...

"Ja Re Ja Diwane Tu
Holi Ke Bahane Tu
Chhed Na Mujhe Besaram.."

The men come right back with a Jawab..

"Poochh Le Zamaane Se
Aise Hi Bahaane Se
Liye Aur Diye Dil Jaate Hain.."

And the men and women dance together as the song continues...

"Holi Ke Din Dil Khil Jaate Hain
Rungo Mein Rung Mil Jaate Hain.
Gile Shikve Bhool Kar Doston
Dushman Bhi Gale Mil Jaate Hain."

Holi definitely brings people closer to one another - be it friends, relatives or sometimes even enemies. No wonder, in the eyes of our film directors, a Holi celebration is a perfect occasion to make friends with your Rutha Yaar, or to find your Khoya Pyar, or simply to do Aankhe Char. Whatever the purpose, the Directors know Holi does the job and does it with a Rung of its own!