Holi Returns to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAPP Campus
Events | Featured | News | StudentsMarch 29, 2024
Desi Culture Club president Aravinda "Ara" Murali throws red and blue colored powder during Holi celebration
Written By: Ian Silvester
Not to be deterred by rain and cold temperatures, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAPP – Fort Smith Desi Culture Club, a registered student organization (RSO), brought back the most significant event it organizes.
Holi, also known as the Hindu Festival of Colors, was celebrated by millions worldwide on March 25. At Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAPP, the joyful event was celebrated on March 27 for the second year in a row.
“I love having everybody together, all the powder, and seeing all the smiles,� said Checotah Benton, Desi Culture Club vice president. “The joy that you get for the time we’re running around and throwing powder and everybody’s happy, that’s my favorite part.�
After last year’s Holi success, Desi Culture Club president, Aravinda “Araâ€� Murali, was eager to celebrate the holiday with friends and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAPP campus again. This year, he planned an additional aspect of Indian culture: cricket.
“It’s the national sport of India,� Ara explained. “I felt like we should have something different than last year, and I felt like games and activities would be fun. Holi itself already has a cultural significance; having the sport of India adds more to cultural significance.�
Ara described the holiday as a way to celebrate India’s independence. The colorful powder represents a coming together, “the unity and strength of the people.� Those participating wore white clothes but were left with a mixture of pink, green, blue, and yellow as the powder was thrown in the air and on participants.
“I’m most excited about the colors,� said Kimberly Morales with a laugh. As a freshman and co-secretary, dancer, and videographer for the Desi Culture Club, it was her first time participating in the event. “I’ve been excited about the event the entire year,� she said.
The various colors also represent a sharing of love, new beginnings, natural remedies, and the Hindu god, Krishna.
Although the Desi Culture Club is one of the newest cultural organizations on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAPP campus, events like Holi and Diwali have drawn interest from other RSOs, students, faculty, and staff.
“They get to explore something completely new, something very different … and it’s an opportunity to explore and have new memories,� Kimberly said.
- Tags:
- Desi Culture Club
- Holi
- RSOs
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