This Song's Story

Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, chose to come on the Earth as a cowherd boy of Vrindavan. Through His Divine Pastimes (lilas) became the Source of Divine Joy for the inhabitants -- the Gopis and Gwaals -- of Vrindavan.

It is said that even the wise sages were awed by the Pure Devotion the Gopis had for Krishna. For the Gopis, Krishna was their Prana (Life Breath), they spent their days only thinking about different ways to please Him.

For Gopis, Holi was a festival when Krishna would smear colors on their faces, the thought of playing Holi with Krishna filled their hearts with immense joy when they start singing "Aaj Khelo Shyaam".

This song, Aaj Khelo Shyam, was composed and sung by Nirali, a beautiful Hindustani classical singer.

Believing herself to be one of the Gopis, she tries to see Krishna in His various moods. While singing Aaj Khelo Shyam, she imagined herself calling out to her Gopi friends to shun everything, to rush where Krishna is waiting with the colors (to play holi), to immerse in the Love of the Lord while playing Holi with Him. In her own words: "And this thought itself colours me with the color of Krishna!".

For a great description of Holi, please see the Wikipedia entry.

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