The Holi Festival: Celebrating Our Triumphs

Dear Advisor Partners,

Where are you from? Where are your family’s roots? For some, it’s one country, for others, it’s several countries. For me…it’s a bit more complicated. While I could say Kenya, or Sudan (or Colombia for those who visit with me), I proudly say India as well and I think, if for no other reason, it’s because I like to party. Let me explain…

You see India is home to some of the most amazing festivals. From Navratri twice a year, to Diwali, to one of my favorite celebrations, Holi, the festival of colors. Some even call Holi the festival of love, celebrating the bond between Radha and Krisha. More importantly, as well as more appropriate for the time, Holi observes the triumph of good over evil, in whatever manifestation that takes in your life. Reading the current events in our news, this is needed now more than ever. The celebration is where the colors come in, where you leave your cares and worries of which stain remover to use on your white clothes, and celebrate without any inhibitions, free in spirit. After the evil is vanquished in a large bonfire on the 17th, the Holi festival begins on March 18th.

With India now reopened and the quarantine period lifted, Holi is an important reminder of just how far Indian mythology and pop culture stretch. With Bollywood movies now filmed in Morocco on occasions, and the Holi festival being celebrated all over the world including places like Miami, London, and Kuala Lumpur, it’s very evident that India is no longer contained to the subcontinent, she is now embraced by the world. This was likely the vision the marketing folks in the Indian government had in 2003 when they introduced a campaign called “She Is India”.

Check out this week’s video, then on March 18th wish all your Indian friends होली मुबारक’ or just say Holi Mubarak and remember the meaning. We have defeated a lot in the last two years, and nothing can ever stop good from triumphing over evil, no matter what is happening around us. See you all in India soon!