LSUS's India Studies hosting Holi celebration Saturday

LSUS's India Studies hosting Holi celebration Saturday

SHREVEPORT - Vibrant colors, festive atmosphere, and friendship.

What better way to ring in spring than the Holi Festival at LSU Shreveport?

The Saturday event brings this Indian celebration to Shreveport for the seventh straight year where adults and children throw powdered colors and squirt water on each other.

"Like many Indian festivals, Holi is based on the triumph of good over evil," said Dr. Sanjay Menon, head of the India Studies department and dean of the graduate school at LSUS. "Although the story is rooted in Hindu mythology, it is more of a cultural celebration emphasizing universal humanity and brotherhood.

"People are supposed to forgive each other and 'play' Holi together in friendship. In India, everyone regardless of religion participates in neighborhood Holi celebrations. No one is a stranger, and everyone is welcome."

The celebration takes place between the University Center and Health and Physical Education buildings on LSUS's campus.

The event, which is free and open to the public, lasts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees are asked to RSVP.

The LSUS India Studies Department has organized the event since 2019 as a way to share a small piece of Indian culture in an informal way.

"Unlike other festivals where you might have formal rituals and ceremonies, here people are encouraged to dress down and interact playfully," Menon said. "Many in the local Shreveport/Bossier community may not be familiar with this aspect of Indian culture, and coming to this event is a good way to experience this firsthand."

Eight powdered colors will be on hand, and guests can choose any combination they wish, approach a fellow guest, throw/apply the colors on that guest while saying "Happy Holi."

Attendees are advised to wear older clothing and bring towels to wipe off color so as not to dirty their vehicles.

A few Indian snacks - like Pakora (an Indian fritter with potato or vegetables) - and other light refreshments are available.

Holi-themed music will be played as well.

"Part of the mission of the LSUS India Studies program is to increase awareness of India and all things Indian," Menon said. "We were already doing India Night in the fall on a regular basis, and we thought adding an annual event in the spring would be a good way to introduce LSUS students and the community at large to an important celebration in the Indian cultural calendar."

India Night, typically held in early fall, is a more formal celebration that features traditional Indian dancers and cuisine that serves as an annual fundraiser for India Studies.