It was not Race Relations Day, but ‘Rang Barse Holi Mela’ (Waitakere Holi) held at the Trusts Stadium in Henderson on March 11 had all the hallmarks of ‘One Society, One People’ format.
During the earlier part of the afternoon, there appeared to be more Anglo-Saxons than Indians. The effect of new media strategy of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA), which organised the festival, paid handsomely.
Cloudy sky, drizzle, occasional showers and humidity were collectively unable to dampen the spirits of revellers of all races. Multiracial group of youths crowded the “ringside” stage area to jump to the occasion of dancing to traditional music.
Bollywood music by programme coordinator DJ Gabbroo Manish Sharma was magnetising, children filled their water guns and water bottles with coloured water and chased each other in the open grounds while the older ones smeared each other with coloured powders or gulaal, opening up their usual shyness.
The food stalls did brisk business, with Ravi’s masala dosa being a favourite and Waitakere Youth stall selling kava being equally popular. The Watersafe, ANZ and Te Wananga O’ Aotearoa stalls provided valuable information and services.
Stage items proved to reflect multiracialism and diversity of the theme of Holi, which treat all as equals. The African Burundi Community thrilled the crowd with its booming drums and energetic stage show, while the equally energetic Haka from Kelston Girls matched the thrill of the atmosphere.
The reverberating Bhangra drums brought everybody on the stage and in front, for rhythmic dancing in the park. This was indeed a day of colours, with spice provided by Bollywood numbers.
But the show was stolen by six-year-old Joshlyn Grace, who performed ‘Chikni Chameli,’ a Katrina Kaif number from ‘Agneepath’ (Indian Newslink, March 15, 2012).
Among the guests of honour were Justice and Ethnic Affairs minister Judith Collins, National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Labour MPs David Cunliffe, Phil Twyford, Lianne Dalziel, Dr Rajen Prasad, Henderson-Massey Local Board Chairperson Vanessa Neeson, Race Relations Commissioner Joris De Bres, Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel Acting Chairman Reverend Amail Habib, Radio Tarana Managing Director Robert Khan, ANZ Bank Indian Segment Head Sunil Kaushal and Chand from Portage Licensing official Ami Chand.
Auckland City Council, the Trust Community Foundation, ANZ, Food for Less New Lynn and Radio Tarana were among the major sponsors of the Festival.
