Festival to splash campus with color
April 16, 2015
By Arpan Dixit
Dye will be thrown in the air and the arrival of spring will be celebrated during the SAB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee and Indian Student Association’s celebration of “Holi: The Hindu Festival of Colors.”
This event, which will take place on the Administration Lawn of the Main Building on Friday, is traditionally celebrated in the Hindu countries of Nepal and India. It signifies the beginning of spring and is also known as the festival of love. The main event in Holi includes dye throwing.
Coming to this event doesn’t mean just throwing dye; participants can also learn about the Hindu culture, which includes Indian food, music and many different forms of dance.
Director of Multicultural Affairs and integrated strategic communications junior Kristyn Cherry organized the event with ISA, and said that it is the first time that the Holi event has taken place at UK.
“A few past directors of multicultural affairs have been really pushing to have this event, but logistics has always prevented it,” Cherry said. “But the framework has always been there.”
There will be many events on the lawn, as well as tables dedicated to Hindu culture. Tables will include food, which is provided by the Taste of India restaurant, jewelry, free t-shirts and a table to learn more about Hindu culture.
“Hopefully if this event goes well and future directors want to continue it, I think that it would be something really good for the campus,” Cherry said. “I know a lot of other universities that do this event annually and we would love to have that here at UK.”
One does not have to be a Hindu to celebrate the festival, as non-Hindus all over the world take part in the dye throwing because it is a time to be with your family and friends.
The colorful event can bring people together from all aspects of life and rekindle relationships. Holi is a very special event for the Hindu people, and Cherry said that the Hindu culture is very fascinating.
“The vibrance in all aspects of the religion, the underlying lessons, and also that it is widespread,” Cherry said. “It’s not just in one country or one region, and to be able to affect people in that way is really impressive.”
