Holi Hai Bhai Holi Hai

Holi Hai! – A Riot of Colours, Chaos

If there’s one festival that turns even the most serious among us into playful pranksters, it’s Holi! This grand carnival of colours, laughter and joyous abandon has an undeniable charm—like life itself decided to throw a party and invited the whole neighborhood. From the vibrant gulal that hangs in the air like a rainbow exploded to the sweet indulgence of gujiyas melting in your mouth, Holi is a heady mix of color, chaos and community.

When Colours Were Life and Pichkaris Were a Treasure

Growing up in South Extension, Holi was nothing short of an annual adventure. Across the street from our house stood a humble cycle repair shop—my lifeline before every Holi. My trusty pichkari  would inevitably break down from overuse (or perhaps overenthusiasm), but the cycle repair guy was nothing short of a magician. With a few swift moves, a washer here, a twist there and—voilà—the pichkari would spring back to life, ready to soak the next unsuspecting victim.

The night before Holi was a military operation of its own. I’d line up two to three buckets, filling them meticulously with water balloons. It required the precision of a scientist and the excitement of a mischievous general preparing for battle. By morning, the house would turn into a fortress of fun—friends arrived, colours flew and no one (I repeat, no one) was spared.

Splashing Joy—One Balloon at a Time

What is Holi without the triumvirate of water, gulal and gujiya? The first splash of cold, coloured water still sends a delightful shiver down my spine. Water balloons became weapons of mass delight and the pink-streaked faces of friends were badges of Honour. And then came the gujiya—the golden crescent of sweet perfection. No matter how many colours you wore on the outside, the warm filling of khoya and dry fruits brought the sweetness right inside your heart. Maa would make them with delight and I would slip into the kitchen quietly and steal them each afternoon when she was resting. Of course, she knew who the gujiya chor was! God bless her soul, I miss her. Madhuri has learnt the craft and makes gujiyas now. Only yesterday she has made over 50 of them!

Of course, no Holi is complete without a touch of bhang—that mystical green potion that transforms even the most awkward dancer into a Bollywood backup star. One sip too many, and you might find yourself philosophising about the meaning of life while simultaneously trying to hug a tree. But hey, it’s Holi—judgment is as absent as a clean shirt.

Holi in the Army – Rum, Rhythm and Revelry

If you think Holi is wild, try celebrating it with men in uniform. Holi in the Army was an experience that left its own colorful imprint on my heart. Some were high on rum, others on beer but everyone was drenched in the spirit of camaraderie. The air would pulse with the rhythm of dhol and drums—feet moving, laughter ringing and no rank mattered when the colours flew.

In the midst of all the boisterous chaos, there was a warmth that no amount of thandai could match—a sense that life, with all its ups and downs, is meant to be celebrated with open arms and a splash of madness.

Mathura, Barsana and the Global Colour Rush

Of course, when you talk of Holi, how can you not mention Mathura and Barsana? These sacred towns transform into a photographer’s paradise, drawing professionals from every corner of the globe. The iconic Lathmar Holi of Nandgaon is a spectacle where women, with playful ferocity, chase and whack men with sticks—because nothing says “I like you” quite like a well-aimed lathi!

And amidst the revelry, there’s also a softer, more poignant side to Holi. In Vrindavan and Kashi, widows—once shunned from festive joy—now play Holi with flower petals, reclaiming the celebration as their own. 

The sight of these women, their white sarees streaked with pink and yellow, is a testament to the festival’s deeper message—life, no matter how difficult, can still bloom in colour.

Colours Beyond the Surface

Holi is more than just a splash of colour—it’s a reminder that life is meant to be lived in full bloom. It teaches us to let go of grudges like we let go of dry winter skin, to embrace the messiness of life and to find joy in the simplest of things—a water balloon, a sweet gujiya, a dance with friends.

As the gulal settles and the colours fade, what remains is the memory of laughter shared, pranks played and hearts warmed. Holi isn’t just a festival—it’s a celebration of everything that makes life beautifully, chaotically and gloriously human.

So, this Holi—dive in headfirst, splash with abandon and let your heart wear every shade of joy. After all, when life gives you colours, play Holi!

Holi Hai!