AV抖阴

Events | Featured | News | StudentsMarch 29, 2024

Holi Returns to AV抖阴 Campus

Written By: Ian Silvester

Not to be deterred by rain and cold temperatures, the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith Desi Culture Club, a registered student organization (RSO), brought back the most significant event it organizes.

Holi, also known as the Hindu Festival of Colors, was celebrated by millions worldwide on March 25. At AV抖阴, the joyful event was celebrated on March 27 for the second year in a row.

鈥淚 love having everybody together, all the powder, and seeing all the smiles,鈥� said Checotah Benton, Desi Culture Club vice president. 鈥淭he joy that you get for the time we鈥檙e running around and throwing powder and everybody鈥檚 happy, that鈥檚 my favorite part.鈥�

After last year鈥檚 Holi success, Desi Culture Club president, Aravinda 鈥淎ra鈥� Murali, was eager to celebrate the holiday with friends and the AV抖阴 campus again. This year, he planned an additional aspect of Indian culture: cricket.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the national sport of India,鈥� Ara explained. 鈥淚 felt like we should have something different than last year, and I felt like games and activities would be fun. Holi itself already has a cultural significance; having the sport of India adds more to cultural significance.鈥�

Ara described the holiday as a way to celebrate India鈥檚 independence. The colorful powder represents a coming together, 鈥渢he unity and strength of the people.鈥� Those participating wore white clothes but were left with a mixture of pink, green, blue, and yellow as the powder was thrown in the air and on participants.

鈥淚鈥檓 most excited about the colors,鈥� said Kimberly Morales with a laugh. As a freshman and co-secretary, dancer, and videographer for the Desi Culture Club, it was her first time participating in the event. 鈥淚鈥檝e been excited about the event the entire year,鈥� she said.

The various colors also represent a sharing of love, new beginnings, natural remedies, and the Hindu god, Krishna.

Although the Desi Culture Club is one of the newest cultural organizations on the AV抖阴 campus, events like Holi and Diwali have drawn interest from other RSOs, students, faculty, and staff.

鈥淭hey get to explore something completely new, something very different 鈥� and it鈥檚 an opportunity to explore and have new memories,鈥� Kimberly said.

• Tags:
• Desi Culture Club
• RSOs
• Holi