On March 13, colors filled Bayou Park as the Nepalese Student Organization (NSA) invited students to celebrate Holi. Holi is also known as the festival of colors, love and spring. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and honors the divine love of Radha and Krishna.
In Nepal, people celebrate Holi over two days, during which people flood the streets by tossing colored powder and water at strangers. Although ULM’s rendition of Holi only lasted three hours, it still captured the festival’s essence. Nearly 100 attendees joined as music played and students danced, replicating the atmosphere of the Nepalese festival.
Beyond the color throwing, the NSA introduced games such as tug of war and matka phod—a game where blindfolded contestants attempt to break pots while guided by the crowd’s cheers.
“The games were really fun, especially matka phod,” sophomore computer science major Unika Bista said. “It reminds me of my home and the games that I used to play with my friends in Nepal.”
NSA President Subik Sapkota, a senior actuarial science major, shared his thoughts on bringing Holi to ULM.
“Our goal was to make this feel as close to Holi in Nepal as possible,” Sapkota said. “Seeing students of different backgrounds come together and celebrate makes all the effort worth it.”
As the event ended, students walked away covered in colored powder, having celebrated a festival that brought a piece of Nepal to ULM.
