Holi 2022: Mumbaikars bring in festivities with natural colours and tasty food

For Jashank Mahesh Katiyal, Holi, the festival of colours, is an important occasion -- one he has always spent it with his family for as long as he can remember. "I have specially come back to Mumbai from Bengaluru to be with my parents and spend some good time with them." As is the ritual, the 29-year-old will be applying colours on them and friends and neighbours. While the pandemic may have dampened spirits, it hasn't changed much for Katiyal because as long as he is with family, his excitement remains the same. However, he does miss the fact that earlier the celebrations used to be bigger. "Now, group gatherings are avoided," adds the marketing professional.

The last two years witnessed muted celebrations, especially for a festival like Holi, which is one of the most popular Indian occasions involving colour, music, dance and food. As the situation has improved now, Mumbaikars are leaving no stone unturned in making the most of it by visiting loved ones. While the size of groups may have reduced, the celebrations aren't going to be small-scale or at least that's what Mumbaikars like Katiyal tell us.

In fact, he is also taking things a step further by celebrating an eco-friendly Holi, as the emphasis on health and clean surroundings increases every year. The Andheri resident explains, "We have been using eco-friendly colours and always avoid wastage of water. We also avoid stray animal abuse by making sure that we don't play around any animals so that they don't come in contact with the colours, which could give them skin diseases."

In Wadala, Akansha Gadodia is excited for the foam party, which her building has organised this time around instead of a rain dance in an attempt to save water. Like Katiyal, Gadodia says they will be using herbal colours and making an attempt to conserve water. It is also going to be exciting for the 30-year-old because her old locality had set high standards for Holi celebrations. The interior designer, who will be celebrating Holi after three years, explains, "After the pandemic, it's definitely going to be a different experience. I also shifted apartments just before the pandemic. My old building celebrated the day with a lot of enthusiasm. So, waiting to see what's in store this year with all the colours and dancing."

It is not only the celebrations but Gadodia is also looking forward to getting together with her school and college friends after a very long time. "I will catch up with them with some nice bhang and good food. I guess the most important part of this year's Holi for me is meeting them together after a very long time," she adds.

This Holi will be no different for Surabhi Gohil, who is also excited to meet her friends after two years but not before participating in the rituals performed at home. She explains, "Holi for me is not just a festival of colours but joy, dance, togetherness and lots of fun. It starts with a small puja in my home and delicious puranpoli, the popular Maharashtrian delicacy, with milk."

After the Covid-19 pandemic played spoilsport in 2020 and 2021, the 26-year-old Thane-based influencer and communications professional will take the opportunity to replicate the kind of celebrations she had before that. "This time around, all my friends will meet at a common place and play Holi by putting organic colours, dancing to songs played for Holi, eating and revelling in the moment. By afternoon we will have a potluck and share the food," she adds.

Shubhangi Thakur, another Mumbaikar is eager for festivities to return to old-normal levels. The 23-year-old explains, "This year I will be celebrating Holi with my friends and family. Last year, we didn't really celebrate it because of the whole Covid situation. Now as things have become relaxed, we will be able to play it but obviously in smaller groups and totally eco-friendly."

While ritualistic pomp and fervour are in order, the Versova-based publicist will also be carrying on a personal family tradition. "When I was younger, my dada (grandfather) would carry me on his shoulders, and I would play with colours and get a new pichkari for the festival. Now that he's no more, I carry on the tradition by carrying my niece on my shoulders to do the same," adds Thakur.