Holi is a time of fun and frolic for most, but it can also lead to heightened anxiety for those who don’t play with colours. If you’re one of those who disguise themselves in monkey tupi and shades to give the slip to your para friends, or install a hi-tech security system for your front door so they can’t barge in, we feel you.
For all of you who want to enjoy the day without being doused in colours, My Kolkata brings to you a list of colourful activities that can light up your Holi, without the aabir or water balloons…
Binge watch ‘The Romantics’ on Netflix
Yash Chopra was one of the biggest icons in the Indian film industry, and Yash Raj Films (YRF) has played an integral role in shaping the idea of romance in India as we know it today. Netflix’s The Romantics is a perfect companion to your indoor Holi binge session, exploring how one of the country’s biggest film studios added colour and spectacle to Hindi cinema. The four-part docu-series shows the progression of YRF’s films through the decades, with a particular focus on romance. It also has a star-studded interview panel including the three Khans, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh and even the otherwise camera-shy Aditya Chopra, in what is possibly his first interview since his DDLJ days.
Make a sweet Holi treat
'Gujiya' and 'thandai' are synonymous with Holi celebrations
ShutterstockLike every Indian festival, Holi is celebrated with special sweet treats. If you enjoy festive food, especially sweets, you’ll have a great time feasting on various dishes, but why not try your hand at making some as well! And what better than gujiya and thandai? Gujiya, the deep-fried sweet dumpling with a stuffing of khoya and dry-fruit is an inseparable part of the festivities, and Holi is never truly complete without a glass of chilled thandai. Blending milk with a variety of sweet and spicy ingredients, this festive drink has a complex flavour profile, is mildly sweet but really refreshing. If you’re celebrating at home, getting your hands messy with some sugar syrup and doughy goodness might be an eventful way to spend the morning, while bringing you closer to the essence of the festival. Plus, you can treat your friends and family to something sweet for the occasion. Check out this traditional gujiya recipe by chef Ranveer Brar, or try a baked version by chef Kunal Kapoor, who also has a quick and easy thandai masala recipe.
Catch on to the football fever
Holi 2023 will be extra festive for football fans, coinciding with the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League! Get your gang together for two of the tournament’s biggest games, with Chelsea facing off against Borussia Dortmund first, followed by Bayern Munich taking on Paris Saint-Germain. So warm up with a few games of FIFA, keep some popcorn and thandai handy, don your team jersey and tune in with the gang.
Watch a comedy show
Festivals are all about joy and laughter, so support local talent by catching a live stand-up comedy show. With Holi coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, Calcutta Comedy Company is organising a special gig featuring Sonal Jaiswal, Aditi Ganguly and Shweta Dey. The ladies will provide their own unique perspectives on topics like college life, road safety and past relationships, albeit with dollops of laughter. You can buy your tickets here.
Enjoy a free cocktail at Hard Rock Cafe
If music is more of your jam, head to Hard Rock Cafe with your girl gang for their Women's Day celebration. The club is providing the first round of house cocktails for free for you and your group of five girls. So put on your best outfit, get your girls together and head to Park Street for a memorable party!
Enjoy the colours of one of Asia's largest flower markets
Over a hundred years old, the Mallick Ghat Flower Market is one of Asia's largest
Amit DattaYour Holi can be colourful even without the pakka rang. Visit the Mallik Ghat Flower Market to witness a century-old traditional market. Home to over 2,000 flower vendors, this is said to be the largest flower market in Asia. Situated under the scenic Howrah Bridge, along the banks of the Hooghly River, this home of floral fragrances makes for one of the most picturesque and colourful spots in the city.
Visit your local Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi kicks off the festivities, signifying the victory of good over evil through the iconic story of Prahlada, his evil father Hiranyakashipu and Vishnu's avatar Narasimha. The ritual is an excellent way to come together with the community over sweets and thandai, as you make an offering to the roaring fire — symbolic of burning away everything evil. While every locality has its own Dahan, Salt Lake in particular is notable for the close-knit communities, where each block celebrates the Dahan together.
Read A Natural History of Colour
If you're not keen on playing with gulaal, why not spend this Holi understanding the science behind colours? Peruse through A Natural History of Colour by Rob DeSalle this Holi, to deconstruct what we see and how we see it, when it comes to the phenomenon of colour. Not only does the book examine the physical and natural aspects of colours, but also their cultural aspects.
