Holi & Rang Panchami: A Celebration of Colors, Joy, and Nostalgia

By Dhanashri Landge
Pune, 13th March 2025: As Holi approaches, I find myself sinking into a wave of nostalgia—memories of carefree childhood celebrations, the scent of freshly made gujiya, and streets painted in a riot of colors. Back then, Holi and Rang Panchami weren’t just festivals; they were the highlights of the year—days filled with laughter, mischief, and an unbreakable sense of togetherness.

Now, as an adult, I still celebrate these festivals, but something feels different. The spirit is alive, yet it lacks the unfiltered joy of childhood. Perhaps, what I miss the most is the sheer abandon with which we once played—without hesitation, without worry, without restraint.

Holi: A Festival of Colors and Traditions

Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is linked to the legend of Bhakt Prahlad and Holika—where Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu while Holika perished in the fire. Another popular tale connects Holi to Lord Krishna, who playfully smeared colors on Radha and the Gopis, setting the tradition of Holi celebrations.

The festival symbolizes joy, unity, and renewal. People throw colors, dance, sing, and indulge in festive treats like gujiya and thandai. Holi transcends social barriers, bringing people together in a spirit of love and happiness.

Holi in Childhood: A Riot of Colors and Mischief

As kids, Holi wasn’t just a one-day affair—it was an event we prepared for weeks in advance. My friends and I would hoard packets of gulal, stock up on water balloons, and test our pichkaris (water guns). Our tiny hands would work tirelessly, filling balloons with colored water, strategizing our “attacks” on unsuspecting friends and neighbors.

The excitement would peak on Holika Dahan, the night before Holi. Families would gather around the massive bonfire, offering wood, cow dung cakes (Govarya), grains, and naivedya (ritual food offering) into the flames. I still remember standing beside my parents, feeling the warmth of the fire on my face, listening to stories of Prahlad and Holika, and learning the lesson that good always triumphs over evil. The entire neighborhood would come together, bound by devotion and joy.

Rang Panchami: Holi’s Surprise Encore

Just when we thought the colors were over, Rang Panchami would arrive—five days later—like an unexpected gift! Unlike Holi, which was wild and spontaneous, Rang Panchami had its own charm.

The moment the sun was up, my friends and I would rush outside, already smeared in colors from early morning sneak attacks. The streets would turn into a battlefield of joy where no one was spared. We ran from house to house, laughing, throwing water balloons, and drenching each other in buckets of colored water.

The best part? There were no rules, no distinctions, no boundaries. Whether rich or poor, young or old—everyone was part of the celebration. Even strangers became friends in those moments of colorful chaos.

And how could I forget the food! Holi was incomplete without plates of gujiya, malpua, and the refreshing thandai. By evening, exhaustion would set in, but there was no regret—only satisfaction. We would gather again, sharing stories of the day, laughing about who got the most color, and already looking forward to next year.

What Has Changed?

Holi still comes every year, but it feels different now. The excitement is there, but the carefree madness is missing. Gone are the days of chasing friends through the streets with water balloons, of planning “color attacks” weeks in advance, of playing without worrying about getting messy.

Now, Holi has become a more organized affair—celebrated in gated communities, clubs, and terraces. The spontaneous street battles have turned into controlled, planned parties with organic colors and designated play areas. People now play for a couple of hours before heading home, showering, and returning to their routines. Even Rang Panchami, once a grand festival, is now celebrated on a much smaller scale.

Hesitation: The Biggest Change

As children, we never cared how long it would take to wash off the colors. We would go home, scrub our skin raw, and still find color stains days later—and we loved it! But now, people worry about their skin, their hair, their clothes. Somewhere along the way, we have become too cautious, too careful, too distant from the uninhibited joy that Holi and Rang Panchami once brought us.

The Spirit of Holi & Rang Panchami Still Matters

Despite these changes, the essence of Holi and Rang Panchami remains the same. These festivals are about unity, about forgetting differences, about celebrating together. They teach us to let go of grudges, stress, and the monotony of daily life.

On Holi, past misunderstandings are washed away with colors. People who haven’t spoken in months suddenly find themselves laughing together, smearing gulal on each other’s faces. It is a festival of forgiveness, renewal, and love.

Even today, when I see children playing with pichkaris, their faces lit up with excitement, I see my younger self in them. Their laughter reminds me of the pure happiness that this festival brings—a happiness that even adulthood cannot take away.

Bringing Back the Magic

This year, I have decided to celebrate Holi differently. No hesitation, no worries—just pure fun! I will embrace the colors and relive the festival as I did in childhood. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll find that same magic once more.

So as Holi and Rang Panchami approach, let’s bring back the madness, the fun, and the togetherness. Let’s drench ourselves in colors, in memories, in pure joy.

Because Holi isn’t just meant to be celebrated—it’s meant to be lived!

Happy Holi & Rang Panchami! Let the colors of happiness fill your life!