Dubai: Despite the cold, damp weather, Indian expatriates in UAE are excited about celebrating the Spring festival of Holi that falls today (March 23) and is celebrated with the sprinkling of coloured water.
Various venues in the UAE have been booked for Holi celebrations.
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated throughout India to mark the commencement of Spring and the harvest season which falls according to the lunar calendar either in the month of February or March.
“I am very excited and looking forward to a Holi celebration in Wonderland Dubai,” said Praveen K., a 20-year-old student who never misses the open-air water festival celebrations.
Jaya Misra, an expatriate from North India, told Gulf News: ‘Holi is one of the most important and fun festivals that is much awaited. I begin preparing sweets and savouries at home from a week before. On the first day of Holi, we light a small bonfire to mark the Holika Dahan ceremony that is symbolic of the destruction of evil and reaffirmation of all that is good in the world. On the second day we celebrate with friends and family by sprinkling colours and with water guns and conclude with traditional Holi songs and a sumptuous community meal.”
The Indian Consulate is celebrating the festival with a performance of classical Hindustani music and Kathak titled ‘Suron Ki Holi’ being performed under the direction of music maestro Jogiraj Sikidar and choreographer Vaishali Mhaisalkar,
“Talented young Indian expatriates have found time to rehearse classical songs and dance to recreate the fun, frolic and colour of the festival and everyone is invited to the concert which commences at 6.30pm on Saturday, March 26, at the Indian Consulate auditorium on the consulate premises in Bur Dubai,” said Sikidar, the man behind the concept and the show.
