Spring has been a long time coming. Just a few days ago it was snowing, the weather’s snide way of welcoming us back from break.
But the days are slowly getting warmer, and Spring is finally here. So what better way to celebrate the season than with Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors?
To start off the holiday, the Hindu Student Council and the Association for India’s Development will hold a color war on the Beach on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
During the event, hundreds of people will cover one another in colored powder, blurring the distinction between individuals in order to promote universal brotherhood.
The celebration is free, including music and dancing. Show up wearing white and get ready to party! There will even be free T-shirts for the first 100 people. If you get there early, you could come away with some new, beautifully colored clothing.
An added incentive to join the Holi festival is this year’s Photography and Creative Writing contest. You could win a $20 prize for the best photograph of the color war or the best article describing “How You and Your Friends Celebrated Holi at Hopkins.”
The winning submissions will be published in the annual AID-JHU newsletter.
The color war will be followed by a free Indian lunch at 12 p.m. on the Beach. So even if you’d rather not be pelted with powder, you can still check out what’s sure to be a delicious meal.
The event is free and open to the public, but remember to RSVP online so that the organizers know how much food and supplies are needed.
After you are happily fed and dyed from the day’s festivities, you can spend the evening relaxing to the soothing sounds of the Santoor at the Indian Classical Music Concert. Musician Kunal Gunjal will perform the 100 string instrument at 6 p.m. in Bloomberg 272.
The concert costs $9 for students, and proceeds will support tiger protection in India.
Since Easter is also approaching, there are plenty of ways to celebrate spring this weekend. So whether you are attending a religious service, spending time with your family and friends or participating in a color war, you’re sure to find something fun to do.
And if you have time, check out the Holi celebration, and help Hopkins make this year’s Festival of Colors the best yet.
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