On foreign soil, happy hues

Manpriya Singh

Technically, the French don’t really have much to do with Holi; sure, closer in the region they have the Orange Battle in Italy, which is pretty much like the La Tomatina in Spain. Just replace the tomatoes with oranges! South Korea has the mud festival, but France and our traditional Holi? A day before Holi, at Alliance Francaise, gujiya is spread out at the table for every visitor to get in the mood. While director Sylvain Choin corrects you, “Just Google Holi and France, and you shall know that it’s quite popular back in our place.”

He has experienced it all, thrice in a row - right from a morning Holi with an Indian family in Chandigarh to the more hardcore one in Jaipur. “I like the fact that everyone is friendly and polite. Just put some colour on each other and you connect. I also like the fact that so far, they’ve always taken permission before putting colour on me.” He adds, “Not to forget the fact that it’s quite artistic. Colours coming together.”

Guests from Kenya

Truly, it is about all colours coming together; both metaphorically and even literally. The bond that it forges with mankind and nature’s joyous is what the festival stands for. Something Wemsley W. Okuku, a Kenyan citizen, experienced in the city a few years ago. “I was travelling from Delhi to Chandigarh via a Haryana Roadways bus, when at the Chandigarh bus stand I met these young children who sought permission to put colour on me. When I asked them about the significance of this festival, they said it was to celebrate the end of the winter and onset of summer. But personally for me, it’s about the connection we form with each other. They splashed coloured powder on me and we connected, thereby also celebrating diversity, but unity,” adds the assistant professor of English at the International Divine College of Education.

Safe celebration

Alexia Poidevin, a city-based communications trainer, knows and has heard about Holi. “I am going to play it too.” Back in France, while her best friend is aware of the festival, her parents are not. There are only a few things she has in mind to ensure safe celebrations. “I am not going to do the street thing. I will also only go to those places where the entry is paid and for couples only. But yes, it’s my first time in India and I am looking forward to it.” Tell her about the festival in the Holi heartland comprising the ones in UP and she says, “I don’t think anybody in the city plays like that.” Let’s see!

Unifying force

Actor Mark Benington, who will soon also be seen in Kesari, finds something about Holi a little extra special. “I like the fact that there is no divide. Everyone plays it — young, old, kids. Back in the United States, we have Halloween, but we grow out of it. Holi is something people here never grow out of. It’s for everyone.” Of all the Holis that he has celebrated so far, his first one in Mumbai like all the firsts will always be a little special. “It was fun; there was lot of dancing in the rain. I had bhang and didn’t know what it was. Though I could feel it! I had new friends around and everybody played.”

manpriya@tribunemail.com