Saturday, April 2, 2011

Colors and the Kids: Holi Celebration at Washington Park


My dear friends Ratnanjali Adhar and Vinayanjali Plainfield threw a fantastic Holi party across from Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park this morning, and I risked life, limb, and camera to get some shots of the colors, food, dancing (full-on choreography to "Jai Ho" no less!), and general tomfoolery of the day. Holi is the Hindu festival of Spring, a celebration of the reawakening of the seasons and our senses. Around the world, people celebrate Holi by spraying each other with colored water and smearing colored powders all over each other's faces. Everyone becomes a little kid, chasing each other around with water balloons of color and handfuls of bright colored dust - you have to see it to understand - and it becomes all-out war.

Given the heavy grey clouds this morning, I was really worried how the weather would shape up - as I was driving up Burnside to the West Hills I even got caught in a pretty epic hail storm - but the sun graced us with its presence and made for some pretty great shots. Ratna and Anjali stayed up until three this morning making some really awesome Indian snacks (including some fantastic samosas), we had Bollywood jams from DJ Prashant (who hosts the Jai Ho party at the Crystal Ballroom), and all the proceeds from the event were donated to Tsunami and Earthquake relief for Japan. Once in a while you get to participate in an event that is just all-around awesome - great people, great food, great music, for an even better cause. I'm sure I'll never really be able to get all the pink powder out of the space around the dials and buttons of my camera, but it was worth it.

This might be too much information, but I just sneezed, and it was purple. This party's going to stick with me for a while. Check out the photos:


















20 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I love the colors. I love bright colors in general, but this is an especially good use! Great photos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are such such such beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How dear and hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  4. i love love love this, obvs. and best wishes on your new gig! how exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A tall maxi gown is acknowledged getting a should have for this spring and summer! purchase just one now past to they are all gone and on that earliest gorgeous cozy evening (for those people of you who have previously experienced it, very good for you...those of us within Northeast are nevertheless anxiously awaiting), place on it with confidence, class, and accessorized!

    ReplyDelete
  6. As the tendency goes on to grow, a whole whole lot more as well as a whole whole lot more 'made to order' products will most very likely be appearing throughout all industries.

    ReplyDelete
  7. First factors first. Please hold it from me, stay in addition to people nuts fad diets (low carb, minimal fat, minimal calorie, etc.)! people sorts of uses are exceptionally ineffective, expensive, unnatural, and will in most instances final result in up-and-down bodyweight deprivation (you get rid of bodyweight after which it arrives most appropriate back)!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bay tends to create a vital work to create specific the Chanel handbags marketed at a reduced price over the internet are authentic. I believe, as a good offer as they may possibly try, not every one of the handbags marketed on eBay are authentic.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Each manufacturer new time, new Pandora bead styles are brought in for sale. styles with regard to Pandora beads are normally unrestricted ranging from character inspired, to home devices, client electronics, pleased faces as well as everything you may think about of.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Remarkable blog! I have no words to praise, it has really allured me. landscape structures playground equipment

    ReplyDelete
  11. I extremely LOVE this blog!! I just desire I will get more posts for great information.
    payday loan

    ReplyDelete
  12. The people are very lucky to have this blog because it has better knowledge.easy payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  13. The blog has comprised with many great features because of this quality it is perfectly nice! auto insurance quote

    ReplyDelete
  14. The superb highly informative blog I’m about to share this with all my contacts.Cheats 2015

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just saying thanks wouldn’t just be enough, for the fantastic fluency in your writing.term life insurance

    ReplyDelete
  16. These include several of the many steps cleaning professionals use for getting through your own home super fast. By adding those to your unique cleaning regime, you’ll expend less time working away at your home and even more time simply just enjoying the item. deep cleaning

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice Article! Holi is celebrated by Hindus to mark the arrival of Spring and the victory of Good over Evil. Holi festival is mostly celebrated in India. We bring the holi party ideas to engage employees in various games and activities.



    ReplyDelete
  18. Searching for fun ways to celebrate Holi at workplace? Holi celebration in corporates is very essential to increase employee engagement and maintain a high level of enthusiasm.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Spread happiness and enjoy with your office colleagues this Holi festive season. Here are the best office Holi celebration ideas to make your festival's celebrations exciting and memorable.

    ReplyDelete