Squirting colored water on passers-by, dunking friends into mud pools, amidst teasing, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is perfectly acceptable, in India. Only on Holi are these activities okay.
The celebratory day was brought over to ULM for students to participate on Monday.
Sophomore kinesiology major Danielle Adams, freshman pre-pharmacy major Krunali Bhagat and junior toxicology major Ruchita Bhagat, organized the informational event.
Holi is a spring festival widely celebrated throughout India announcing the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. It is celebrated on the last day after the full moon in early March every year.
Krunali gave a PowerPoint presentation that explained more about Holi and also showed YouTube videos for students to see what the celebration looks like.
Holi celebrations are not restricted to India. The festival has spawned satellite events all over the world. Adams said they are hoping to be able to have a big campus event before the semester is over.
Avneet Bola, a senior pre-pharmacy major said, the event was a great way to meet new people and reminisce about the celebration.
“Being an Indian, it is really nice to see my culture being celebrated and enjoyed by others,” said Bola.
Holi is one of the most spirited and beloved festivals of the Hindu calendar. It is also known as the Hindu festival of colors.
The festival was originally to celebrate good harvests and fertility of land. It is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.
Holi has been traditionally celebrated in high spirit. There is no distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or gender during the celebration. It is an opportunity for people to shed inhibition and caste differences for a day of fun.
The festival begins on the night of the full moon -Holi eve- with prayers and bonfires lit on streets corners to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes. On the day of Holi, people rejoice and throw colored powder and liquids at each other and yell “Happy Holi.”
Some say during Holi, you could get away with almost anything by saying, ‘Don’t mind, it’s Holi’ (Hindi Buran a mano, Holi hai.) Practices that at times would be seen as offensive are allowed.
Holi is also a time for family members to get together, give gifts, eat special foods and decorate their homes.
