So, a confession – in my seven years of living in my condominium, 2022 Holi celebration was the first I attended. In my defence, I’m an introvert, I don’t know many people here, & I don’t play Holi. However, attending this year’s Holi completely changed my mind.
The celebration was organized in the amphitheatre & the surrounding gardens. A DJ console belted out Holi – special songs. Adults of all ages grooved on the amphitheatre dance floor. It was such a fab sight to see the elderly enjoying to the max.
Children, in the meanwhile, were busy doing what they do best – PLAY! The garden hose was turned into an unending source of water that was being splashed on friends & strangers alike. The rush to fill buckets was amusing. I, having neither a bucket nor a pichkari, just stood near the hose & got showered in the ensuing frenzy. TBH, I felt like a kid again!
Residents used the farther off gardens to meet & greet, & to set up impromptu picnics. The camaraderie was splendid!
I noticed that security guards were deployed to keep revellers off from the other parts of the garden. This was an admirable step as the rest of the garden remained from getting soaked and damaged. I was also contented to see residents heeding these guidelines.
A few food stalls were put up at the mouth of the amphitheatre. I saw scrummy looking chaat & kebabs lining people’s plates but, unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to sample these. No worries! There’s always the next year!!
With the colours thrown up in the air, residents renewed their warmth. Sigh! See you in 2023!!
A version of this was first published in Samvada.
