HOLI
Last Spring Break, Experience Culture kickstarted with its very first event, Holi. Holi is known as the Hindu festival of colors or the festival of sharing love. Mainly celebrated in India, Holi is a time for family, friends, and strangers to get together to have some fun by dumping colored powder on each other. It’s a time to disregard confining social norms, throw caution to the wind, and just to immerse yourself in fun.
It is also an event celebrating the beginning of spring, and thus the symbol of rebirth. It represents new beginnings, clean slates, renewed vigor, and focus on new beginnings. It is a reminder to give second chances, whether it be to yourself or other people.
The celebration originates from an ancient Hindu love story between Lord Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna asked his mother why Radha was so fair and beautiful, yet he was so dark. His mother then told him to put some color on to Radha’s face and to see how now they were both colored the same.
Thus, Holi is also about the similarities between everyone, about how people could come together through their humanity and love of fun. Social gaps disappear during this special holiday, where social restrictions separating women and men, young and old, and the rich and the poor are thrown out the window. The entire holiday is thus characterized by the fun, loose atmosphere of mayhem and merrymaking. In fact, a common saying during this holiday, is bura na mano, which means “don’t feel bad about it.”
In such a simple way, all who came learned a little more about Hindu Culture and had a good time. We had forty people with us to spread the color and joy. For many who came, it was their first time hearing about Holi. We also had samosas and cookies served, and food is always a reliable source of happiness.
Overall, we had a fun time. We thank you all for participating in this fun multicultural event, and we hope to see you guys at the next Experience Culture event!
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Thank you so much!
Mei Zhang
