Chennaiites gear up to invoke the ‘Holi spirit’ with fervour

The festival of colours is back once again to brighten lives and greet the spring season. Over the years, Chennaiites have constantly upped their game and included new practices each year to the traditions of Holi and this year too, some of them share with DTNext what plans they have in store. Right from DJs playing Bollywood chartbusters at poolside parties to sophisticated brunches laden with sweets and dishes with a twist, those celebrating Holi won’t stop at anything.

No Indian festival is complete without delicious food and Sanjana Srivastav, a homemaker, says she enjoys making thandai, gulab jamun and pakoras along with her family for Holi. “I wanted to try some unusual dessert this time and found the perfect recipe on a blog called Cook With Manali. I’ll be making a no-bake, eggless thandai cheesecake mousse with a biscuit crust and topped with gulkand whipped cream. I’m not sure how it’ll turn out but I’m really excited,” she smiles. She plans to serve tiny jars of the dessert at a brunch she is having on March 21 in the company of family and friends.

If you’ve been invited to one such lunch party, the easiest way to pick your attire is to draw inspiration from celebrity fashion. Deepika Padukone’ coral shirt and white shorts in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani or Ranveer Singh’s white kurta and pyjama with hexagon-shaped glasses from last Holi are ideal options. However, it’s time to move past celebrities and look at the runway for ideas, feels Aparna V, an IT professional with a penchant for fashion and makeup.

She explains, “Many brands showcased really quirky clothes that are perfect to sport during a Holi party. A bright Indo-Western dress with colourful prints along with Boho-esque accessories and comfortable footwear will work; the white and yellow ensemble by Verandah for instance.” She adds that it’s better to avoid transparent clothes or dark colours during the daytime because one may be sneak attacked with colours or water balloons!

Speaking of colours, “I have decided to opt for organic powder this year,” expresses Harshitha Kumar. The mother of two says that though Holi isn’t a part of their family’s tradition — since they hail from South India — the kids like to celebrate with their friends from school. She shares, “I found that a few stores in the city sell organic colours made from natural materials like mehendi (green), turmeric (yellow), hibiscus (red), jamun fruit (purple) and so on. I was told these are safer on the skin than rangoli powder, which has harsh chemicals, and are easier to wash off.”

While it’s important to have a fun-filled Holi, she also stresses on the need for a safe one. “I prefer supervising my children and their friends when they play with colours. Also, I appeal to everyone not to harm animals by throwing colour powder into their eyes, feeding them many sweets or exposing them to loud music,” she says on aconcluding note.