Holi Brings colour to Christchurch

For immediate release 27.02.2014
Holi Brings colour to Christchurch

The Christchurch Holi Carnival of Colours is on Sunday March 23, 11am – 4.30pm at The Pallet Pavilion, 70 Kilmore Street. Pay at the gate: Adults, $10 with two bags of colour. Children under 12, FREE.

Laugh, dance, play and forget your worries at Christchurch’s first annual Holi Carnival of Colours on Sunday March 23 at the Pallet Pavilion.

One of the major traditional festivals in India, Holi is celebrated on the day of the full moon in March. The event is known for its vibrant powder colours that blanket people in the streets.

It’s a day to forgive, forget, reconnect, and enjoy time with family and friends. The throwing of colours symbolises people becoming equals, whether they are friends, foe, family or strangers.

These are the themes that drew event organisers Sandeep Khanna and Hitesh Sharma to initiate Holi celebrations in Christchurch.

“A lot of people are still bogged down with things resulting from the earthquake. Holi is about the whole community getting together, putting these things aside and just having fun for the day. We want the city to add colour to their day!” Khanna says.

All Right? is supporting the community event, which Manager Sue Turner says will help bring people together.

“In Canterbury right now there’s a widening gap between those who are recovering well and those who are 'stuck’, and it’s important we take every opportunity we can to come together and celebrate as a community. By breaking down barriers and injecting fun and colour into our lives, Holi will definitely provide a wellbeing boost,” says Turner.

On the day - prepare to get colourful! Anyone is fair game in this all-out colour war. The powder colours used at this event will wash off skin with soap and water, but it’s best to wear old clothes. Wearing white will make the colours really stand-out.

Holi will kick off at 11am with DJ Areeb, DJ Charlie and Indian drummers. Bollywood performances will follow, including the Ras-Leela, a re-enactment of the romantic dance between Krishna and his lover Radha. Their story is where the throwing of colours originated.

Traditional games will be played, including a tug-o-war and Matki Phod, where competitors make a human pyramid to reach and then break a clay pot. The All Righties will be present to cheer everyone on throughout the day. There will be activities for kids too, including face painting.

Once the crowd has worked up an appetite, it will be time to indulge in Holi delicacies. A variety of traditional Indian cuisine and refreshments will be available onsite.

In the event of bad weather, Holi will be postponed until March 29. Announcements will be made at https://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchHoli.

Please note that the Pallet Pavilion is not high-heel friendly.

This event is brought to you by Revel Events.

Thank-you to the following supporters for making this event possible: Indian Social and Cultural Club; Priority Communications; All Right?; Dulux; Abacus Institute of Studies; Sushrutha Metikurke Photography; 37 Frames Motion Pictures; RIYA Education and Migration; Lindisfarne Nursery School and the Yogi Divine Society.

ENDS

© Scoop Media