Ditching the gloom of winter for the happiness of spring, the Indian Students Association celebrated the changing of the seasons with more than 300 Ohio University students, faculty and Athens residents during its annual Holi Fest on Sunday night.
The Holi Festival, or the Festival of Colors, celebrates the ultimate triumph of good over evil; unites people of different social classes and opinions; and strengthens relationships among family, said Manindra Singh, cultural director for the association and a doctoral student studying molecular and cellular biology.
“Holi helps the people to believe in the virtue of being truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil,” Singh said.
A typical Holi celebration is commemorated throughout two days and begins with a bonfire and the playing of colors, when colored powder is thrown to symbolize the unity among people.
The Indian Students Association played colors for the first time in Athens Saturday with a small group of about 30 students behind the Carriage Hill Apartments.
“(Saturday’s playing of colors) was pretty successful with what we had planned,” Singh said. “From the response that our community gave and the enthusiasm of people that participated, we want to do this again next year, but think more ahead to plan a location and time for everyone to know.”
Sunday’s events included various performances showcasing many flavors of Indian entertainment from classical folk dances of northern India to the “raunchy” pieces of southern India and modern Bollywood numbers.
Maria Rodionova, a graduate student studying osteopathic medicine, isn’t a member of the Indian Students Association, but she danced in two different numbers Sunday evening.
“I have some friends that are Indian students, and they asked me to dance,” she said. “It was so much fun. I didn’t expect so many people to show up.”
Even though some dances were put together in just five days, Rodionova believes that the night was a success because of the high energy and the commitment both members and non-members made.
Students from local elementary and middle schools also performed a Bollywood dance.
“I liked that it was a really diverse group of students, not just Indian students,” said Annabelle Lamy, an Athens resident. “It’s cool to see how much fun they’re having, and the kids were hilarious.”
All funds from ticket sales to Sunday’s event were used to cover expenses for the evening’s activities.
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