Holi Celebration Across The World

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Saturday, March 19, 2011, 11:28

It"s Holi and as I get prepared to get out and join my friends, I remember my best friend who is at present in London. Last Holi was the last time I met him and I still remember that he was scrubbing his hands hard to get rid of the colour, as the next day was his joining in the company in London. I missed him a lot and so, decided to cal him. I expected him to be sad for being able to play Holi but when he picked up the call, he said he was already drenched in colour. I kept the call and wondered how is Holi played across the world.

With globalization, World has become a global village and migration from one nation to another is very common. Indian have also moved away from their land and settled elsewhere. Some of the places with highest concentration of Indians is USA, UK, South Africa and Bangladesh.

USA – Talking of holi celebration across the world, the first place to get reminded of is USA. New York is the place with maximum concentration of Indians and they play with much galore. Celebrating their Indianhood on this one day, Indians in USA are given the complete freedom to enjoy. OnHoli in USA, Indian organizations take out parades, organize parties, organize meets in which they discuss the tradition, which is very important for children born on foreign land. Concerts are held n which Bollywood actors are invited.

UK – The second best Holi celebration across the world is UK. Holi is a big affair in UK as Indians constitute the second largest ethinic minority. One of the famous locations for Holi celebration in UK is the city of Leicester. Leicester on Holi looks like a mini India. An India which sees no culture, tradition and language difference. They are just Indians who are celebrating an Indian culture, feasting on sweets, playing colours and singing regional songs.

South Africa – South Africa situated on the southern tip of Africa has the maximum population of Indians. Gujaratis form the major part of Indian community in South Africa. With a crowd of over a million, South Africa is the best place of Holi celebration across the world. Songs, parties, concerts etc are organized for the whole Holi week, with no compromise to rituals and customs.

Bangladesh – Once Upon a time part of the same nation, Bangladesh had accommodated one of the legends of India – Rabindranath Tagore. Some evil advocated of time may have drawn boundaries but they still share our traditions and culture. Holi celebration across the world is played in the most authentic form in Bangaldesh. As in west Bengal, in Bangladesh too the festival is called DOL. On the day of Holi, people play with colours and remember their only connection with Indian i.e Rabindranath Tagore songs. Amidst the colours, songs and celebration, Holi seems to blur the boundaries for atleast once.

Holi is also played in Mauritius, Guyana, Pakistan etc. To all the Indians away from their motherland, HAPPY HOLI.