Holi Utsav: A Colorful Celebration at HSE
On 21 March 2025 HSE turned into a rainbow of colors, melodies, and joy filled with Holi Utsav, that is the Festival of Colors from India. Having my culture celebrated right in the middle of Moscow was like something out of a fairy tale. Representatives from the whole international student group joined forces and organized the event, which, in addition, proved a lovely mix of tradition, art, in addition to enthusiasm—and one that I will not forget and will always keep in my heart.
The Spirit of Holi: More Than Just Colors
Holi is much more than throwing colors at one another; it is an event that is woven into Indian folklore, customs, and their sense of togetherness. Dating back to Hindu mythology, the festival is celebrated as the triumph of virtue over vice and the slaying of Holika the demoness and salvation of her devotee, Prahlad. Holi is also the commemoration of Radha's and Krishna’s divine love, whose mischievous colored teasing became a festive custom.
In addition to its religious significance, Holi also marks the time when the rigid boundaries of age, caste, or class are discarded and everyone, regardless of age, class or social stratum, comes out to sing, dance, and celebrate. And this is exactly what we celebrated at HSE!
How I Started the Celebration of HSE
I remember walking into my designated area at HSE and beelighting the dazzling decorations that captured the spirit of Holi perfectly. Color powders in the shades of pink, yellow, green, blue, and orange were placed in stunning patterns which seemed to beckon students to lose themselves in the magnificent mess. The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic with the laughter and conversations of students getting ready for the celebrations reverberating everywhere.
To begin with this event, a few students had the part of an Indian singing session and they did a pretty amazing job. The students sang ions and other classical ragas and truely represented our country. I felt a little emotional because of its beauty which would otherwise get masked under the monotony of everyday struggles. Instead I felt proud with grief as I heard love, devotion, and celebration were sung and intertwined into the lines which brought a little slice from home life while being here in a foreign country.
Classical Music: The Soul of Our Holi Celebration
Celebrating Holi in India is alive with color, laughter, and festive music. Bollywood songs such as Rang Barse certainly add to the spirit, but it is the classical and folk of the traditions that capture the true spirit of the festival. For this year’s HSE Holi event, we sought to continue this legacy with an unforgettable performance that incorporated vocal classical Indian music, which became the emotional highlight of the day for many.
The talented artists (both Indian and Russian) sing:
- Hori-Dhamar (classical Holi songs in raga melodies)
- Thumris (romantic Radha-Krishna compositions)
- Bhajans (devotional songs like Hari Om Tatsat)
The lead vocalist, trained in Hindustani classical, opened with Aaj Nacho Man Gori, in Raga Kafi. Its flirtatious notes captured the fun and revelry of Krishna's playful antics. Tabla and harmonium enhanced the rhythm, while a Russian artist joined on the dholak, adding a bit of flair.
This was the first time experiencing these styles of music combined, and for many, seeing microtonal shifts (shrutis) and fast-paced improvisation (taans) was unlike anything they have ever experienced. One audience member remarked, “It appeared to me that the music was drawing colors in the atmosphere.”
Mehendi Designing: A Touch Of Royalty
Right after the captivating performances, the event had a stall for mehndi designing. The students in attendance were enjoying themselves while getting beautified as the refreshing scent of henna permeated the air. Watching my classmates dive deep into the world of mehndi made me remember once again about the cultural significance this ancient craft possesses.
In India, mehndi is more than a beauty treatment; it is a symbol of luck and prosperity associated with joyous occasions, including festivities, marriages, and other forms of celebration. I quickly got involved in the event, demonstrating different mehndi pattern styles to my peers. Their delight when displaying their henna-adorned hands filled me with great happiness as it showed the way traditions help transcend cultural boundaries and foster connections.
The Color Festival: The Spirit of Holi
The festival of colors is the focal point of joy and intensification during every Holi celebration. Students were laughing and throwing colored powders into the air, and the green lawn around us turned into a vibrant hued rainbow. Every color seemed to burst out of happiness and each face in this world could be seen smiling from the bottom of their hearts.
It was the first Holi for all the international students and all of them combined, wanted to dive straight into the festival almost instantly. It was precious to see bits of reserve still remaining get melted with joy filled laughter. All of them were trying to put colors on each other’s faces and it brought everyone together as newly found friends. I vividly remember one of my Russian friends when I colors all over her face, she was shocked and filled with glee and shouted out, "Do it every day!"
While experiencing the wild revelry of being surrounded by colorful everything had me pondering how splendid it is to watch people from across the world converge and join in celebration together. For that moment at least, and we all know life will seek to confine us with possible restrictions, the division melted away for a common celebration which as a collective took pride in the beauty of life.
Sari Wearing: Tradition and Elegance
The most vibrant part of Holi is undoubtedly the showcasing of traditional dresses, especially the sari-wearing competition at HSE which was one of the more light-hearted moments of the day. Set in India, saris are not just dresses; they are Shri of composition containing countless years of history, culture and pride. I still vividly remember the time I had wrapped my bright yellow sari and as I recall, I could feel the pang of homesickness hit me recalling the fabric slowly swirling around me.
Some of my friends were intrested along with me in learning how to wear it elegantly while I narrated stories of the diverse styles that are present in different corners of India during the competition. It was nothing short of splendid to see friends and students, some of whom had never worn a sari in their lives, twirling beautifully in their traditional costumes. The combination of ethnic colors and the classic dress was a beautiful illustration of the festival of Holi that celebrates affection, culture, and gives a glimpse of the future.
Indian Dance: Keeping the Festive Spirit Alive
The subsequent Indian dance performances were exceptionally vivid and colorful. Dancers from diverse backgrounds came onto the stage and performed outstanding classical and Bollywood dances. The fast pounding music and the wild rhythms were enough of an incentive to inspire everyone to let loose and take part in a dance celebrated. The essence of the dance, like Holi itself, is that it can communicate emotion and feeling without the barriers of words. I remember dancing with friends, our energies blending as one so much as when festival celebrations feel like home. Together, it was liberating and was magical; the magnificence of reality is that dance is a universal language of happiness.
My Experience of Holi in Moscow
My initial experience with Holi in Moscow was breathtakingly beautiful yet utterly painful. The family gatherings I was accustomed to were nowhere in sight, and it felt as if I was left all alone in the world. Simultaneously, I was eager to see the enthusiasm and zeal of my classmates who were all set to appreciate and celebrate the culture which I loved so much.
When I look around me and see people with their faces painted in a myriad of colors, My feelings of Homesickness instantly melt away. I felt as if I was a part of something big, like a small cosmopolitan society. Holi in Moscow was a celebration of unification, acceptance, and tolerance. In spite of the multicultural differences, we formed strong bonds with each other, and partook in unfettered laughter and unchained joy.
Why Such Events Are Significant
It is our sauntering aim at HSE Illuminated to showcase the colorful and multicultural life of students at our university. The Holi festival described above was a perfect case of how cultural events foster student life on campus and make it more inclusive, tolerant, and diverse. It was a cultural introduction to India for some and a piece of nostalgia for others. Once the colors faded, and the music stopped, we were left with this sense of togetherness – a reminder that regardless of which country we call home, all understand the concept of joy and celebration. Until next year, Happy Holi!
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