Photo essay: Colourful Holi celebrations in Kolkata

Holi is an ancient festival celebrated across India, predominantly by Hindus but also by Sikhs and people of other faiths. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and embraces new beginnings.

A young girl is covered in gulal (coloured powder) during festivities in Kolkata. The throwing of the powder is believed to reference a game the Hindu god Krishna played with his consort Radha.

A street vendor sells coloured powder outside a temple. Each colour has a different meaning – yellow and orange represent turmeric, which is used in many natural remedies.

Children use coloured dye to stain each other’s hands during the festival. While most powders and dyes are store-bought these days, they were traditionally made by crushing flowers and water into a paste.

Holi festivities are often accompanied by jubilant singing and dancing.

A bare-footed reveller strolls through a street stained pink.

Young children play with leftover powder after the festivities.

After a busy day of celebrations, an elderly woman sweeps the powder from her doorstep.

A sadhu (religious ascetic) covered in multiple colours.

SilkAir flies four times weekly between Singapore and Kolkata. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com

SEE ALSO: 5 cosy cafes and boutiques to visit in South Kolkata’s Hindustan Park

This article was originally published in the March 2020 issue of Silkwinds magazine

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