Holi—A Festival of Colors

BAMBI’s Assistant Editor Ashima tells us all about Holi, a unique festival that nurtures love and bonding, and brings people of all ages together in celebration.

By Ashima Kapur

Water splashing, people sprayed with vibrant colors, children playing with multi-colored balloons and water guns, loud music—these are all sights and sounds to see and hear during Holi festival, also known as the ‘festival of colors’. 

Many festivals are celebrated in India, but Holi is one of the most prominent and important, marking the arrival of spring and the end of winter. The festival also signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holi is celebrated by all age groups across the country and beyond with zeal and excitement. The evening before Holi, prayers called Holika Dahan (burning of Demon Holika), or Chhoti Holi are offered. The following day is known by many names, including Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, and Dhuleti. There are many traditional beliefs and rituals linked with this festival, but one thing that underlies them all is that it brings families, friends, and communities together for a day, as they rejoice in the bonds of love and togetherness. 

Each family anxiously awaits this Holi festival day, carefully planning and preparing each aspect of the celebration, including making delicious traditional dishes. Some favourites are dahi wadas—soft lentil fritters soaked in flavored yogurt, and desserts called gujias—sweet, deep-fried dumplings filled with sweetened milk solids and dried fruits. 

Playing with colors is another important part of the celebration. Many people play with dry colored powder (including organic ones), water balloons, and water guns, but some elders also play with flower petals. It’s a beautiful feeling to be showered with flower petals, primarily marigold and rose petals, and it creates a soothing fragrance of fresh flowers in the whole area. Not everyone gets covered in powdered colors, but everyone wears a mark on their forehead.  

Some young people also organize themed parties with popular singers and dancers, creating a different aura altogether. 

The festival brings families, friends, and communities closer with laughter and time dedicated to enjoying each other’s company, reminding them of the bond of love they share, irrespective of the differences in opinions they may have had before. Water helps wash away worries and stress and brings people to a platform where they can emotionally embrace each other. People visit family and friends, and foes come together to throw colored powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food, and drinks. After playing with colors, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family in the evening.

Celebrated in Northern India around March–April, Holi is one of a few festivals celebrated around the same time of year in the Asian region. A month later in April, Thailand celebrates Songkran—the Thai New Year—and Myanmar celebrates Thingyan festival, which is the Burmese New Year. While the celebrations and traditions honored during each festival may vary across the different countries, one thing is common: people come together for what might be a few hours or a few days to enjoy festivities, togetherness, and feasting, and most importantly, to share happy moments, create deep loving memories, and exchange boundless positive energy with each other. 

Holi is a unique, festive day to meet family, friends, and others, to play, eat, dance, and laugh, and to forget former mishaps, and forgive. The joy families derive from coming together to celebrate Holi is immeasurable. Holi and its traditions and rituals promote a sense of positivity and belonging, bringing fresh energy for everyone, and most importantly, fostering relationships.

Photos from Canva and the author.

References

Wikipedia (2021) Holi. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

About the Author

Ashima is a stay-at-home parent to an 11-year-old boy. She has had an enriching professional career before when she was living in Thailand but now moved to Myanmar with her family. She is enjoying every bit of being part of the editorial team at BAMBI. Her mission is to be a lifelong learner, to learn from every situation and person, and continue to celebrate life.

The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects. BAMBI welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.