Sunil Kaushal
More than 9000 men, women and children of different ethnic background, culture and age came together at the 12th Waitakere Indian Association Holi Festival, celebrated with a huge array of colours on Sunday March 4, 2018 at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson, West Auckland.
Attendees could not have asked for a much better – a beautiful sunny but cool Auckland day. Even before the festivities started, a huge crowd of young and old had gathered and the colours were going out of the stalls like hot cakes.
Traditional Faag
The festivities started with traditional Faag for couple of hours, performed by three Mandalis. It was great to see so many of our neighbouring people from various ethnicities assembled to hear the Faag early in the morning.
Children could not wait for midday and were seen throwing colours on everyone, making use of the ‘Pichkarees’ or water guns.
Formal Opening
The formal opening address by Te Atutu MP and Housing and Urban Development and Transport Minister Phil Twyford was followed by Ethnic Communities Ministry Under-Secretary Michael Wood and Members of Parliament Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Deborah Russell (Labour), Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Alfred Ngaro and Melissa Lee (National), former New Zealand First MP Mahesh Bindra, The Trusts Community Foundation spokesperson Ami Chand and Auckland Counsellor Linda Copper.
Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) President Mahendra Sharma said, ‘Holi brings true colour to West Auckland. We see people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, religions, culture coming together to celebrate and partake in an event which is associated with harvest and new life. The event has drawn large, diverse crowds in previous years and having a rolling crowd of over 9000 people has certainly blown us away.”
Big Event
Former President Manoj Tahal said, ‘Holi is always one of WIA’s biggest events as Indian and non-Indian kiwis alike are enticed by the fun, energetic atmosphere and the opportunity to enjoy the culture of India’.
Jenny Hay on of the attendees, said, “The most attractive thing for children is always the liberty to play with colours and the fact that you can go and put paint on an unknown person without being offended.”
Jasbir Singh, an international student said that attending Holi festivities made international students feel at home and teaches other students about the culture of so many of their peers in an environment that brings the community together.
Community Focus
Hemant Parikh, speaking on behalf of Radio Tarana Managing Director Robert Khan, praised WIA for being community-focused and delivering events that not only bring the Indian community together but also providing other communities to learn more about the Indian culture.
“It is important to me that our families know and loves people of all cultures. The more we know and understand each other, the more love there is to share,” he said.
DJ rocks
The afternoon was rocked by local DJ Gabroo where everyone came together to dance to the beats of Indian and latest party music. Such was the fun and entertainment that the event went 45 minutes over schedule and the organisers had to request the crowds to return home.
WIA would like to acknowledge various ethnic and Indian communities, Mandalis, Sponsors, Supporters and Partners.
Sunil Kaushal is Vice-President, Waitakere Indian Association and it Project Manager for Holi Celebrations 2018. Another story appears in this Section.
Photo :
- Mahendra Sharma (third from right) and Sunil Kaushal (extreme right) with Labour MPs
- Mahendra Sharma (second from right) and Sunil Kaushal (Centre) with National MPs and community leaders
- People of varied ethnicity and cultural background at Waitakere Holi
- It is no holds barred at Holi!
(Pictures supplied)
