India, March 13 -- The process of transformation in the religious, social, economic, political, and cultural spheres tried to disrupt the stagnating traditional culture in Colonial India. The deliberate changes in social and religious attitudes and customs advocated by the reformers tried to safeguard cultural and religious ethos while trying to create a set of new rituals and customs appropriate for the newly emerging middle class.

The reformation of the festival of "Shimaga" which was celebrated for five days with tremendous enthusiasm in the Bombay Presidency attracted a lot of attention from social and political leaders in Maharashtra.

"Shimaga" was similar to Holi where a bonfire was lit, and men and children smeared each other wit...