Abu Dhabi: India Social and Cultural Center – Women’s Forum Celebrated Holi At the Khallidiya Garden here on March 27.
ISC president Panikkar inaugurated the programme. In his inaugural speech Panikkar said that Holi is a colourful festival, colours will fill the atmosphere as people throw gulal on each other. Holi marks the end of the winter gloom and rejoices in the bloom of the spring time.
The foot-tapping music and Holi numbers played by DJ Rudy, kept the crowd dancing throughout. The programme was compered by Avito.
Photo booth was arranged by LLH Hospital which was enjoyed by all taking pictures with Holi background flier. Musical chair, pot breaking and other competitions were held, winners walked away with prizes. Overall the programme was mind-blowing. The rain dance to the nonstop DJ remix was enjoyed by all.
Holi is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia.
It is primarily observed in India, Nepal and other regions of the world with significant populations of Hindus or people of Indian origin. The festival has in recent times, spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colours.
Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is a free-for-all carnival of colours, where participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes to throw colours on each other, laugh and chit-chat, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks.
Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival date varies every year, as per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in March, sometimes February in the Gregorian calendar. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive.
