An event marked by color, celebration, and cultural connection, the South Asian Student Union (SASU) hosted their annual Holi event Friday after school on March 8. The celebratory event attended by around 20 participants was held on the lower field, with music, colored powder, and samosas to enhance the day of festivity.

Holi, also known as “the festival of colors,” is an ancient Hindu holiday primarily celebrated in India and Nepal that marks the coming of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the divine love between Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. During Holi, participants offer prayers, eat traditional foods, and smear colored powder on one another.

Members of the SASU noted that the event also served as a needed forum for South Asian cultural representation in the Lamorinda community. SASU Co-President senior Samay Chera said that the club had a good turnout of non-Desi participants.

SASU Co-President senior Nishta Mukundun shared the preparation steps that preceded the event. After getting grant funding approved and working with the parents to buy the colors and food, the club “[printed] flyers and [spread] awareness about it at the school.” The night before the event, SASU board members came together to organize the colored powder into bags for the next day.

Students shared their reflections on the event, “It’s a way for me to connect to culture in a fun way,” said senior Sonal Patel. Patel’s favorite part of the festival was spending time with her friends.

“My favorite part was throwing color at people,” said Chera. “…Driving home there was a ton of color in my car,” Chera added.

In the future, SASU plans on organizing a field trip before the school year ends while they continue broadening awareness for the South Asian community across campus.