Staff Reporter –
West Auckland is gearing up to mark Holi, the Festival of Colours with the Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) organising the annual event on Easter Sunday- March 27, 2016.
Billed as one of the brightest Holi celebrations held in the country, this year’s event will be held at Corban Estate Arts Centre, located at 2, Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson, from 11 am to 6 pm.
Food, music, dance, fun, entertainment and of course throwing coloured powders and water on one another would all be part of the scenario at this vivacious occasion for which WIA has a penchant since it began in 2006.
Colours for all
No one, including Prime Ministers, ministers, lawmakers and community leaders, is spared from the splash of colour, since Holi signifies the time to realise the bounties of Nature (in the Northern Hemisphere) through harvest; it more importantly denotes unity and classlessness of humanity. The objective is laughter and togetherness; people do not wear designer clothes or frowns.
Cultural fusion
Holi at WIA also brings with it Indo-Fijian culture and Indian tradition, presenting a unique fusion of social and community values.
WIA Immediate Past President Sunil Chandra said that ‘Faag Gayan’ (rendition of Holy hymns) will be a part of the 2016 Holi celebrations as it has been in the past.
Among the other highlights well be live DJ Music, ‘Dancing in the Park,’ food stalls, colours on sale and a special are for splashing colours.
“The mix of activities will ensure that people of all ages and ethnicity are able to come together in an amiable atmosphere to share in the day’s fun with family and friends,” Mr Chandra said.
Spreading equality
Beyond all the religious and cultural manifestations, Holi is really about the inescapable truth that every person is born equal and hence has the right to be treated and provided opportunities for growth as equals.
As Mr Chandra said that India in general and Hinduism in particular has given the world a number of occasions and festivals to embrace the whole human race.
“These occasions aim to integrate and unite communities and Holi is one of them. The Festival has profound meaning for humankind and enhances race relations and integration,” he said.
According to him, the dance in the park would go on irrespective of weather conditions. Last year, it became ‘Rain Dance,’ and everyone comes prepared to enjoy at WIA Holi.
“Holi is an ideal festival for Indians to shed inhibitions and differences even if it is just for the day. We adopt a general sense of abandoned vitality, when as children, during Holi, we used to chase our village bhabhis into their 
kitchen to colour them with colours of Holi,” Mr Chandra said.
“Our people have integrated well into the local community and changed the cultural landscape of the country. Today, Aotearoa is richer because of Indians in general and Hindus in particular celebrating festivals such as Holi, Diwali and other religious, cultural and social events,” he added.
Further details can be obtained from Mahen Sharma on 027-6613242.
