Holi, the festival of colors

Holi, the festival of colors, is a well-known Indian celebration that marks the official start of spring. It is also recognized as a festival of love.

On the eve of Holi, a Holika bonfire is lit, which has religious significance and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The Holi festivities commence the morning after the Holika bonfire, featuring parties and pure enjoyment with dry and water-based colors, resembling a vibrant water fight. By the end of the day, everything looks like a colorful canvas.

Traditionally, colors made from natural, washable plants such as turmeric, neem, dhak, and kumkum were used, but now commercial water-based pigments are becoming more common.

This year, we celebrated Holi at school with powder colors called 'Gulal.' We organized a Holi dance performance with all the students on a Bollywood theme. After recess, both teachers and primary students gathered in the playground. We danced together and played with Gulal. Everyone had a wonderful time; it was a completely new experience. The students learned about a festival from another culture and celebrated it joyfully.

Texto de Manpreet, auxiliar de conversa do CPI Plurilingüe de Vedra no curso 23-24

Video da celebración

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"Holi, a festa das cores".

Holi, a festa das cores, é unha coñecida celebración india que marca o inicio oficial da primavera. Tamén é recoñecida como a festa do amor.

Na véspera do Holi, préndese a Holika, unha cacharela con significado relixioso que simboliza o trunfo do ben sobre o mal. As festas do Holi comezan á mañá seguinte do lume do Holika, presentando as festas con puro divertimento con cores en po ou en base de auga, que se asemellan a unha vibrante pelexa de auga. Ao final do día, todo parece un lenzo cheo de cor.

Tradicionalmente, empregábanse cores feitas a partir de plantas naturais e lavables, como a cúrcuma, o neem, o dhak e o kumkum, pero agora os pigmentos comerciais en base de auga estanse facendo máis comúns.

Este ano celebramos o Holi na escola con cores feitos de po chamados “Gulal”. Organizamos un espectáculo de danza Holi con todas as alumnas/os cunha temática de Bollywood. Despois do recreo, tanto o profesorado como o alumnado de infantil e primaria, nos reunimos no patio. Bailamos xuntos e xogamos co “Gulal”. Todos desfrutamos do día; foi unha experiencia completamente nova. O alumnado coñeceu un festival doutra cultura e o celebraron  con ledicia.