Oak Park is partnering with members of a South Asian community group to host a celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Village Hall.
Holi, according to AP, is an annual celebration at the advent of spring with religious and cultural significance. It originated in India and Nepal, but is celebrated around the world today, according to a village news release.
“This exuberant festival marks the arrival of spring, new beginnings, and the triumph of good over evil,” officials said in the release.
The outdoor event, at 123 Madison St., is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear clothes that can be covered in colored powder and may want to bring sunglasses and scarves to protect their eyes and hair. White shirts are recommended for those wanting to show off the colored powder.
A DJ playing Bollywood dance music will be part of the celebration, along with ethnic food and a photo booth. Color play will begin at around 1:20 p.m., according to the village. Indian food vendors including Khyber Pass and Wise Cup will be at the event, with food available for purchase.
Holi is on the last full moon day of winter, which is usually in March or early April. This year, Holi fell on Monday, March 25.
According to the release, the two-day festival begins with a bonfire and a puja or prayer to cleanse negative energy and to usher in the positive.
Then, people of all backgrounds gather to participate in the color festival.
“It’s a time to let go of inhibitions, dance to lively music, and indulge in delicious food,” the release stated.
Vipanchi Raghu Chattopadhyay, a member of the South Asian community involved in planning the event, said they’ve been hosting the Holi festival among themselves for several years. This year, Trustee Ravi Parakkat reached out to collaborate with the village’s diversity, equity and inclusion team and expand the celebration.
“It’s [Holi] an invitation to all and it’s a time where everybody comes together irrespective of age, gender, religion and play with colors and rebuild relationships,” Chattopadhyay said.
Parakkat said when he first came to Oak Park in 2006 there were only a handful of South Asian community members in the area. Now, he said there’s almost 500.
“I’d like to make the South Asian community feel more included in the community,” he said. “I’d also like to see the rest of the community understand what some of these traditions and festivals are and understand the culture a little better.”
There are many stories associated with the significance of Holi, but Chattopadhyay said one of her favorites is about the blue-hued god Krishna and the white princess Radha. Krishna asked his mom why he was dark while Radha was fair, Chattopadhyay said. His mom responded by giving them colors and told them to throw whatever color they wanted on each other, she said.
Another interpretation of Holi is its religious understanding as a triumph of good over evil, said Kavita Vermani, another member of the South Asian community involved in planning the festival. But the cultural focus of the festival is celebrating spring and throwing color powder, Vermani said.
It’s celebrated in many ways, Parakkat said, but the underlying spirit is the same. Exposure to different cultures helps normalize them, Parakkat said. The more people become familiar with those traditions, the better it is for everyone, he said.
“At its core, this is a festival of colors and what that really means is it blurs all our differences, whether it is economic, political, religious or racial differences,” he said. “It unifies us all as humans.”
Traditionally, the colors for color play were made with natural materials like organic flowers and leaves, Chattopadhyay said. Nowadays, celebrants will sometimes use food colors mixed with cornstarch to get a similar effect. Color will be available for all attendees at the April 14 event.
“It’s just like a big equalizer,” Chattopadhyay said. “You actually are unrecognizable usually when you come out of the festival. So, it’s a lot of fun for all age groups.”
Vermani said the village is helping to finance, coordinate and market the event this year. She said she did not grow up in India, but she imagines this year’s festival will be reminiscent of the larger scale celebration that happens in India.
She’s proud to share this festival with Oak Parkers, Vermani said. She said she and other parents feel it’s important to ensure their kids feel confident celebrating.
“I love this idea of inclusion because it makes our children know that they can celebrate their culture openly with their community members, with their friends, without feeling embarrassed or nervous or othered,” she said.
Chattopadhyay and Vermani both said they are hoping the event will be a hit and that the South Asian community continues to collaborate with the village to host it and possibly other similar events.
“Hopefully everyone can relate to it [Holi],” Chattopadhyay said. “Because it’s a very inclusive kind of festival, everyone is invited.”