Abir

For other uses, see Abir (disambiguation).

Abir (अबीर), or in the alternative spelling Abeer, is a dye common in Nepal and less common in India. It is used during the Holi festival which is also called the festival of color, when people throw this colorful powder at each other Or, it is put by the people during worship from the elders. Abeer is typically sold in markets prior to the festival. In Bengali abeer means colour of sky during sun set (sandhi prakassh in Marathi, also called 'gulal' in Marathi, natural colour). Abir means aroma, perfume in Arabic. In Hebrew, Abir means 'brave' man or 'knight'.

The Nepali dye powder

Abir, an alternate spelling of Abeer is available in synthetic or natural form. Its colors are derived from flower extracts, for instance aparajita, marigold, hibiscus and dopati. The dye is sometimes combined with mica powder to create a sparkling effect.

In Bengali

Abir in Bengali refers to the reddish color of the sky during dusk. In an open sky during sunset the western edge of the sky forms some color between red and pink. Ancient Bengali scholars named this color as Abir. In this region, Abir is mostly used as a male name. In classical and modern Bengali songs and poems, the word abir (or, alternatively spelledabeer) is used very commonly and has a very dignified literature value.

In Arabic

Abir, an alternate spelling of Abeer (Arabic: عبير), is an Arabic name meaning fragrance or the fragrance of flowers, can refer to perfume and can be used as a female as well as a male name.

In Hebrew

In Hebrew, Abir is a male name meaning "brave", or, interpreted as an acronym אבי״ר, for אדוננו, בוראנו, יוצרנו, רופאנו (“Our Lord, our Creator, our Maker, our Healer”), "knight". The "Abir Warrior Arts Association of Israel" was founded by Yehoshua Sofer, styling himself Aluf Abir אלוף אבי״ר "Grandmaster of Abir" or "Champion Knight".

See also

• Abeer (disambiguation)
• Abir-Qesheth Hebrew Warrior Arts

External links

• Extracts from commonly found flowers to power shades of abir (The Telegraph)
• Photo of abir at a marketplace