Lesson 1
I introduced Holi with three short videos (in this order):
What is Holi? Presented by children in Australia (for Grade K-6) (2:42 mins)
2. The Story of Holi. Animated mythological story about Vishu, Holika, Prahlad. (for Grade 3-6. There is one scene which may frighten Gr. K-2). (2:07 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnc2NQ8uPRQ
3. Holi Festival in India (Gr.K-6). (4:31 mins) An American goes to India to experience Holi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCO28_Zs8ps
Pause videos as desired to discuss and highlight content. We completed our Introduction to Holi with a Holi Party Game, accompanied by the music of Balaam Pichkari, a song/dance routine, which we will return to later. Start music to begin game.
Game:
Four teams stand in lines, facing forward, with an empty bucket in front of the first player at easy throwing disance. The first person in line is the thrower. Behind the last person, the picker, there is a bucket full of colourful beanbags (instead of the original water balloons with coloured water). The object of the game is to empty the bucket of beanbags and fill the empty bucket in front as fast as possible.
The picker picks up the beanbags one at a time and throws it to the person in front of them, who throws it ahead again until it reaches the first person, the thrower, who throws it into the bucket. If they miss, leave the beanbag on the floor. When the rear bucket is empty and the thrower has made the last throw, the team sits.
While waiting for their turn, or when the team is seated waiting for other teams to finish, pat knees to the beat of the music, sing along with the words "Balaam Pichkari" when it occurs.
To calculate the score:
First team finished gets 4 points. Second team 3 points, Third team 2 points, Fourth team 1 point.
Count the number of bags in each bucket.
Add 1 and 2 together for each team's score.
Optional; For round 2, the person in front goes to the back, everyone else moves forward. Repeat the game with a new thrower and picker until everyone has had a turn throwing.
Lesson 2
HOLI PARTY - Balaam Pichkari
Show visuals for pichkaris.
Introduce Bollywood and the blockbuster hindi movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. View the clip to 1:08, patting knees to the beat. View again from the beginning, looking for pichkaris in the first scene.
Hand out one hari each (flower necklaces - you can use plastic Dollarama versions) and then scarves. Learn the dance.
Balaam Pichkari dance (from leader's perspective):
Part One
Feet together, jump forward and backways quickly four times while making "scissors" with arms in front.
Step right and close, swing scarf overhead to the right. Step back left, swing scarf overhead to the left.
Put hands on ears, flap "chicken wings" with elbows four times.
Beckon to others to "come to the party" with hands and scarf.
Part Two
Put feet together, hop left four times.
Bump left hip forward frou times.
"Put the lid on" with left hand and "stir the pot" underneath with scarf in right hand. Step back to beginning spot while doing so.
Show "pouncing tiger" hands to the left and right with scarf, repeat.
Begin the clip at 1:08 , raise hands when you see the dance we just did (1:31). Note the false starts!) .
Perform dance with clip (start around 1:20).
Repeat, adding freestyle dancing and throwing scarves in the air after completing the dance. Challenge dancers to show their best moves (the group may even choose to do a dance-off), encourage reluctant dancers to tap their feet to the beat and move their scarves to join in the party that way.
Holi Party! - Balaam Pichkari - Gr. 5/6
There are many other You tube resources on Holi, including:
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