The South-Asian Indian community of South County celebrated their spring festival of “Holi” March 24 at the Morgan Hill Community Park. This was attended by more than 80 people, highlighted by the traditional spraying of colors and water on each other.
For some of the families and almost all of the children, this was the first time they had ever played “Holi”.
One of the organizers of the party, Yogesh Patel, 39, explained, “I was born in this country and yet never got a chance to play Holi and it’s great to see my kids getting to know our culture, let alone us all having a blast!”
The families, including as many as four generations, also brought traditional Indian food, and sang and danced to traditional Indian music.
“Can we do this again, next week?” asked Nihar Chabra, 7, son of another parent, Poonam Chabra.
Holi is celebrated globally as a welcoming of Spring, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of March. What that translates to in action is an enthusiastic dropping of inhibitions, as people chase each other and playfully splash colorful paint, powder and water on each other.
