Photo essay: Colourful Holi celebrations in Kolkata

Each March across India, children and grown-ups alike take to the streets to celebrate the beginning of spring and the festival of Holi

Story By Drew Hopper

Photographs By Drew Hopper

1 min read

Published On March 5, 2020
Updated On August 6, 2021

Holi Kolkata — Holi is an ancient festival celebrated across India, predominantly by Hindus but also by Sikhs and people of other faiths. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and embraces new beginnings.

Holi Kolkata — A young girl is covered in gulal (coloured powder) during festivities in Kolkata. The throwing of the powder is believed to reference a game the Hindu god Krishna played with his consort Radha.

Holi Kolkata — A street vendor sells coloured powder outside a temple. Each colour has a different meaning – yellow and orange represent turmeric, which is used in many natural remedies.

Holi Kolkata — Children use coloured dye to stain each other’s hands during the festival. While most powders and dyes are store-bought these days, they were traditionally made by crushing flowers and water into a paste.

Holi Kolkata — Holi festivities are often accompanied by jubilant singing and dancing.

Holi Kolkata — A bare-footed reveller strolls through a street stained pink.

Holi Kolkata — Young children play with leftover powder after the festivities.

Holi Kolkata — After a busy day of celebrations, an elderly woman sweeps the powder from her doorstep.

Holi Kolkata — A sadhu (religious ascetic) covered in multiple colours.

SilkAir flies four times weekly between Singapore and Kolkata. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com

SEE ALSO: 5 cosy cafes and boutiques to visit in South Kolkata’s Hindustan Park

This article was originally published in the March 2020 issue of Silkwinds magazine

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