Holi 2019

From Bollywood films to music videos, the visual excitement of Holi has become a familiar sight: joyful revellers frolicking in the streets of India throwing handfuls of colorful powder on one another. There is a rich history behind this tradition, which is celebrated in today’s Doodle by Chennai-based artist Chaaya Prabhat.

Taking place each year, Holi is an Indian national holiday that marks the start of Spring. A time for renewal, and a reversal of the social hierarchies among ages, classes, and castes, Holi’s also known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love” because it marks a time for coming together and releasing old grudges. During Holi, everyone lets loose, while children are encouraged to make mischief with water balloons and squirt guns.

Festivities begin on the night before the full moon during Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, with the building of sacred bonfires. Celebrants sing and dance around the fire—some even walk across hot coals while others smear the ashes on their skin as an act of purification. Symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the fires recall the story of the demon Holika, who tried to destroy her nephew Prahlad in a fire but was burned herself.

The practice of throwing colored powder was inspired by the Hindu Lord Krishna, who loved to play pranks on the beloved gopis. After a full day of chaotic, colorful fun, everyone cleans themselves up, dresses in pure white, and pay respects to family elders and teachers, symbolically restoring order until the next Holi celebration.

Happy Holi 2019!

Guest artist Q&A with Chaaya Prabhat 

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Holi is one of the biggest festivals in India, and it means a lot to me to be able to use my illustration style to represent the spirit of it.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: While doing my research for this project, I was wondering how to represent a festival that's celebrated in so many different ways all over the country - in the form of dance, music and other rituals. The common thread I found for all the various ways in which Holi is celebrated is the festivity of bright and beautiful colours and people taking to the streets to celebrate, so I decided to approach the project in that direction.

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: I drew inspiration from the vivid colours of the Holi powders, and textures and patterns of the buildings and clothes of people in India.

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I hope that everyone enjoys the colours, since that's what Holi represents.