Cortland, NY – SUNY Cortland hosted its third annual Holi Festival of Colors on April 16. Students, staff, and faculty gathered in front of Neubig Hall to celebrate this event part of the Hindu culture. The event was organized by students in the recreation course “Wedding and Party Planning,” led by Amy DiRenzo. They had been working on this colorful day since the start of the semester.
Despite strong winds, students and visitors from the university community were drawn to the festival by Indian music and vibrant colors. The main attraction of the event was the throwing of colored powders. Over the course of three rounds, not a single piece of clothing was left untouched. Colors play a major role in Holi, as they each have different meanings. Red symbolizes love and strength, while yellow represents happiness and health. The throwing of colors in general symbolizes joy, renewal, and the arrival of spring.
The Holi Festival counted with the presence of President Bitterbaum and Holi Tika. Dr. Ann McClellan, Provost of SUNY Cortland, who had the traditional red mark painted on her forehead by student Fiona Joss. It symbolizes mutual respect and is an integral part of the Hindu festival.
In addition to the color-throwing, there were several other highlights to discover. A henna artist quickly applied designs to people’s hands, and the audience was entertained by a classical Indian dance performance. The Holika ritual, from Hindu mythology, also plays a significant role in the celebration. Participants wrote their worries and fears on pieces of wood and then burned them in the fire. This fire burning ritual symbolizes victory over evil and purification. These activities gave visitors a chance to experience different aspects of Indian culture beyond the color-throwing.
Alongside these events, food was also provided by an Indian restaurant. Students were able to try samosas, pakora, and mango lassi. These dishes are popular traditional foods in Indian cuisine. Representatives from the Sustainability Office, the SUNY Cortland Recreation Association, and SAFER were also on hand to provide information and answer questions.
Visitors to the Holi Festival of Colors were very satisfied. SUNY Cortland student Daria Ioana Vicleanu said, “My three favorite things about Holi are the atmosphere, the colors, and spending time with my friends here.”
The Holi festival is traditionally celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu Lunar month of Phalgua to mark the arrival of spring. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and Nepal and is known for its joyful and inclusive spirit. Due to weather conditions and late spring in New York, SUNY Cortland held the festival later this year. After the positive response from visitors, many hope the celebration will become a lasting tradition on campus. “I really hope it comes back next year,” said Vicleanu.