The Waitakere Indian Association's Holi festival held on Sunday, March 28, at the Trusts Arena, West Auckland, led celebrations of the traditional Indian festival of colours – Holi – in New Zealand this year with much fanfare.
This year the festival of colours Holi, which is spread over two days with Chhoti Holi or better known as Holika Dahan falling on Sunday, March 28 and the main festival or Rangwali Holi falling on Monday, March 29 – gave the opportunity for bringing together multiple Holi celebrations all around New Zealand over the same weekend.
Several Holi celebrations were reported last weekend from Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerstone North & Wellington, among other cities of New Zealand, showcasing the rich heritage of the Indian culture, bringing together people from all walks of life and immerse in multiple colours, and leave behind any weight of the past and embrace positivity.
This year the festival had a special meaning for everyone, especially after being jaded and anxious under the shadow of Covid-scare and being restricted by multiple lockdowns in the last twelve months. The Holi festival gave them the much-needed opportunity to come out, feel relaxed and liberated from all those worries.
Waitakere Indian Association's Holi festival, which holds the unique recognition of starting the first community celebrations of Holi in the country almost two decades ago - witnessed enthusiastic participation of thousands of excited festival-goers.
Speaking with the Indian Weekender, Sunil Kaushal, President of Waitakere Indian Association, said, "We are very grateful to the community for coming out in thousands to support the mega Holi in New Zealand. It exceeded our expectations and shows how blessed we are in NZ and are able to celebrate such events while the world still grapples with waves of Covid strains."
The day's celebrations began with the traditional singing of Holi songs (faag) by local mandalis (religious groups) and followed by Indian classical and Bollywood dances by children and adults.
Kids and many enthusiastic adults were busy playing with water guns and splashing water on everyone, while the rest everyone preferred to drench themselves just in gulal (dry colours) and enjoy the festivities.
After the official ceremony, which included a brief welcome speech by WIA president Sunil Kaushal, Minister Phil Twyford from the Labour Party and Member of Parliament Melissa Lee from the National Party, the stage was handed over to DJ Gabbroo to run upbeat music for everyone.
There were plenty of food stalls to keep everyone hydrated and fulfil their taste buds with Indian vegetarian delicacies.
Labour Party's MPs Minister Carmel Sepuloni, Minister Phil Twyford, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Dr Deborah Russell, and MP from Upper Harbour Vanushi Walters, and National Party's MP Melissa Lee, former Kiwi-Indian MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Party Board member Alastair Bell were among key dignitaries present at the event.
Several board members from the local Massey-Henderson Local Board, including Chris Carter, Linda Cooper and many others, also graced the occasion.
Expressing satisfaction on the turnout, WIA president Kaushal said, "A big shout out to the volunteers and partners who made this event possible after a gap of two years. Waitakere Indian Association has been striving to serve our community over the last 21years, and we look forward to continuing to serve to make our community stronger and United in the coming years."
More about Holi festival
The festival of Holi is a traditional Indian festival signifying the victory of good over evil and also marks the arrival of the spring season in the Northern hemisphere.
It is an ancient Hindu festival, which has now gained popularity and acceptance among all non-Hindu-communities in India and is now gaining increasing acceptance in the global West, including New Zealand.
The idea of forgetting about the past, overcoming all personal animosities, if any, and immersing in colours that symbolise positivity and hope for the future is being recognised by more and more people.