Indian Undergraduate Association brings color to Stevens with Holi Hai celebration

Students passing by Palmer Lawn this past Wednesday afternoon would have encountered quite the site: loud music, a huge blow-up duck, and students tossing colored chalk into each other’s faces. This was the Indian Undergraduate Association hosting their Holi Hai celebration, commonly known in the Indian culture as “The Festival of Colors,” or to the Stevens community, the largest color fight in Hoboken.

Naiya Patel, President of the IUA, explained that Holi is a very important holiday in the Indian culture. “It’s basically a reference back to when one of the Gods was returning back to the homeland.” The Hindu festival is associated with several legends; however, most refer to the legend of King Hiranyakashyap, who demanded that all subjects in his kingdom exclusively worship him. His son, Prahlad, disobeyed his father and remained a loyal devotee to Vishnu, one of the three principle deities of Hinduism. Hiranyakashyap ordered that his daughter, who was immune to fire, take Prahlad in her lap and enter a fire to murder his son. Vishnu saved Prahlad and burned his sister for her evil-mindedness, the legend goes.

Patel explained that Holi is fiercely celebrated in India. “It’s a huge event. People do not have work. Everyone throws colors at each other in the streets, just like we’re doing now.” Tossing bright colors serves the purpose of filling the air with happiness. Back in India, women and senior citizens move in groups known as tolis and exchange greetings with passing strangers as they paint the sky with color.

For those who celebrate Holi, another aspect of the holiday includes the drinking of bhang, which is a highly intoxicating preparation from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. After Holi is over, the evening is spent in sobriety, meeting with friends and family to exchange delicious treats.

The Holi Hai event is one of the IUA’s biggest events throughout the year. “This event took three to four weeks to plan. We had to order the colors, make sure WCPR was here to play music, and secure the blow-up duck.” Students dressed in white t-shirts had the opportunity to partake in a huge color fight. The air surrounding Palmer Hall quickly filled with an assortment of pinks, blues, and greens as colors were tossed.

In addition to Holi, the IUA also holds other events throughout the year. “We celebrate Garba, Diwali and hold the fashion show, which celebrates Indian culture. We also celebrate South Indian New Year,” said Patel. “This is our big event for this semester, but after this, we will be focusing on our participation in U.N.I.T.Y.”