Northeastern celebrates annual Holi festival
Students dance during a Holi celebration on Centennial Common March 19. Also known as the Festival of Colors, cups of colored pigment were handed out to throw in the air and smear on other attendees’ faces.
April 27, 2023
Students at Northeastern University came together to celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi with a burst of colors, music and revelry on a sunny spring afternoon March 19. The event, organized by NU Sanskriti along with the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service and the Office of Global Services, aimed to showcase the cultural diversity of the university’s student body and promote inclusivity among students from various backgrounds.
Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and other countries with large Hindu populations. It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Traditionally, celebrators playfully pour colored water and throw colored powders at each other, and engage in festive music and dance.
On the day of the celebration, Centennial Common came alive with vibrant hues of pink, green, yellow and blue as students gathered to participate in NU Sanskriti’s Holi event. The participants, dressed in white clothes as per tradition, eagerly awaited the start of the festivities.
Shakshi Chogule, president of NU Sanskriti and a graduate student studying project management, said she was thrilled to see the enthusiasm and excitement among the students.
“Holi is a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness,” Chogule said. “We wanted to create a platform where students from diverse backgrounds can come together, have fun and learn about Indian culture.”
Holi is celebrated in different ways across India, with some regions emphasizing the religious aspects of the festival and others focusing on the social and cultural significance. NU Sanskriti’s event aimed to showcase the latter, bringing people from all walks of life together to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
The event kicked off with a traditional Holi puja, a ritualistic worship, followed by the lighting of a bonfire, known as Holika Dahan, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Students wasted no time immersing themselves in the festivities, gleefully smearing each other with vibrant powders and splashing water, creating a kaleidoscope of colors.
The lively atmosphere was further enhanced by upbeat Bollywood music that filled the air and students dancing to the rhythmic beats, reveling in the joyous spirit of the festival. The aroma of Indian delicacies, such as Lassi and sweets, wafted through the air, adding to the festive ambiance.
The event was not limited to just Indian Northeastern students. International students, American students and others from various colleges joined in the festivities, embracing the opportunity to learn about and experience Indian culture firsthand.
“I’ve always been interested in Indian festivals, and Holi was something I really wanted to experience,” said Riya Jhaveri, a student from Suffolk University who came to Northeastern for the Holi celebration. “It was amazing to see everyone having so much fun and enjoying themselves.”
Holi holds a special significance for many Indian students studying abroad, as it provides them with a sense of connection to their homeland and an opportunity to share their culture with their peers.
“It’s a nostalgic feeling, celebrating Holi away from home,” said Gaurav Mishra, NU Sanskriti’s head of strategy and finance and a graduate student studying electrical and computer engineering. “But events like these organized by NU Sanskriti make me feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie with fellow students.”
The NU Sanskriti team worked tirelessly to plan and execute the event, which more than 2,000 students attended, according to Mishra. From coordinating logistics to arranging the colors, music and food, the club’s members were dedicated to creating an authentic Holi experience for everyone.
“The response has been overwhelming,” Chogule said. “We’re grateful for the support of the university, our volunteers and the participants who made this event a success.”
The event also provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, as students from different backgrounds came together to celebrate a festival cherished by millions of people around the world. As the event drew to a close, the participants bid farewell to each other with hugs and well-wishes, their clothes now stained with hues of Holi.
