Sitting among fellow members of her leadership team, Ashira Thadisena discusses the details of the upcoming South Asian Student Association (SASA) event celebrating Holi. From what color powders to order, to the all white attire, each of these decisions plays a role in shaping the celebration.
Holi is a Hindu festival, originating in India, that celebrates the start of spring and triumph of good over evil. Bright powder is thrown amongst attendees to signify the arrival of a colorful season. To bring that same spirit to the school, students and clubs are preparing for upcoming Holi festivities.
As co-president of SASA, Thadisena helps brainstorm future events, coordinate meetings, and lead other members of the club. Thadisena was inspired to run for leadership because of her early memories celebrating Hindu holidays.
“I remember I celebrated it once when I was really young, and I remember wearing all white and going to Burns park, and I came home fully covered in a rainbow of powder, and that was just a really fun experience,” said Thadisena. “Just like throwing powder on everyone and having powder thrown on you, it felt like I was really part of a community, like sharing those like cultural experiences.”
Thadisena highlights the sense of belonging that Holi creates and hopes to foster the same inclusive environment through SASA’s upcoming functions.
“We’re also considering the fact that most people associate SASA with a Hindu centric kind of organization, which isn’t really true, because South Asia represents many other countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh. So we have other religions as well. So we want to try to maybe incorporate those in future events,” Thadisena said.
Thadisena’s co-president senior Darshana Shaji has been a part of the club since freshman year and was elected as vice president last year. She is looking forward to honoring a variety of holidays through the club.
“SASA hasn’t had an event for Holi yet, but we’re planning on doing it this year. We might have it in the senior lot or like on the football field. And, yeah, just have fun.” Shaji said.
Shaji hopes celebrating Holi at the school will bring the club more exposure.
“It’s important because we can allow the kids to connect with their culture, and also it helps other people learn about our culture,” Shaji said. “It’s open for everyone. It’s not just for, like, South Asians, so if other people want to join us, they can.”
Outside of school, many students attend their own Holi festivities. Junior Hari Singh’s family temple (Radha Madhav Temple) hosts the most attended Holi celebration in Little Rock–an event that holds personal significance to him because of his father’s long standing role in the community.
“My dad has been in America for 16 years and he was a priest over [in India]. We moved here around 11 years ago. He’s been the main priest for the temple near Wellspun for the past 11 years.”
Holi season is busy for the Singh’s, who coordinate all the details of the gathering.
“[My father] plans how we’re gonna do it. He gets help from [Wellspun], where we get the colors from, who’s gonna make the food, who’s gonna make the tents and stuff, and how many people are coming,” Singh said. “Then we send out notifications to everybody that Holi is happening on this specific day, and they can come around during that time.”
Despite the responsibilities and stress leading up to the day, for Singh, the interaction of the South Asian community from around the city makes it all worth it.
“A lot of people who usually don’t come to the temple come during that period, because there are a lot more fun festivities than normal,” Singh said. “So I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot of people who I usually don’t see.”
For Singh and many others, all of these factors come together to create a memorable season of celebrating their religion and culture.
“I love the Holi season. It’s one of the most fun holidays because it’s a lot about our tradition and how we still keep up our culture, even in new societies and new places like America” said Singh.
