Holi celebrations for 2020 started a little early in Christchurch that witnessed a crowd of more than 12000 people to the event. Christchurch’s annual Indian Holi Festival of Colours magnetised the Hagley Park with thousands drenched in colours dancing and celebrating unity in the city.
The event on the leap day of the year was held to foster brotherhood and peace amongst various ethnicities and communities living in Christchurch, especially after March 15 incident of 2019 that unified the spirit of ‘oneness’ in the country.
“This Holi event is more important now than ever due to the events of March 15, 2019, and this event emanates the message of togetherness,” Hitesh Sharma, event organiser told The Indian Weekender.
“Holi is traditionally focused on creating unity. The colours symbolise that no matter your skin colour, religion, background or social status, we are all one. We need events like Holi in our city to continue to show strong support for all of the people that call Christchurch home. This year we are promoting the need for kotahitanga – togetherness and solidarity as Cantabrians,” Mr Sharma said.
This event aimed to continue building community understanding through showcasing traditional cultural performances, food, games and stories.
Revathi Performing Arts created a Bollywood-style dance at the event to represent the story of the origin of Holi; the legend of Krishna who had dark skin and painted fair-skinned Radha to show that they were the same.
The organisers arranged powdered-colours that every attendee at the event used, besides, the colour cannons were blasted from the stage to the crowd and dry powdered colours also thrown throughout the event venue on the people.
Chenda rhythm drumming performed by the ‘Rhythm of Kerala’ mesmerised the audience and was one of the highlights of the event, which is traditionally only seen in temples. Holi was a rare chance for Cantabrians to witness this drumming, which comes from the Kerala region in India.
The traditional game of Matki Phod provides an opportunity for teams from all across Christchurch to build a human pyramid and tip a hanging pot of yoghurt – representing one of the legends of Krishna growing up.
The event served the taste buds of 12000 people with a variety of delicious Indian snack and food stalls. Music, dance and other small activities for the visitors were crucial to engage everyone present at the festival.
“We were mindful that this event would get people from all walks of life, so it was made family-friendly, wheelchair accessible, strictly alcohol and drug-free. The colours available to play were from cornflour and was suitable for all ages,” co-organiser of the event from Revel Events Sandeep Khanna said.
“The event was assisted by volunteers from Christchurch and proceeds generated from the event are reinvested into future events and charities in India and Christchurch. Christchurch Multicultural Council was the strategic partner for the Holi Festival,” Mr Khanna added.
Cultural background on Holi
The most popular origin stories are that of Holika Dahan, and Krishna and Radha.
Holika Dahan is ‘the lighting of bonfires’, held the evening before the main Holi festivities to symbolise the triumph of good over evil, and prepare for a good harvest season.
The festivities officially welcome in spring, with Holi celebrated as a festival of love, harmony, happiness and abundance.
The reason colours are thrown stems from a legend about Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Krishna had blue skin and wanted to be fair like Radha, so his mother suggested he paint their faces so that they could be the same – symbolising coming together as one.
In India, when the colours are thrown, all differences are put aside, and everyone becomes equal, no matter their culture, background, religion or social status.