KOLKATA: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
Kolkata: After a gap of two years owing to the pandemic, Holi parties and get-togethers made a comeback with a bang this year. The excitement among children who had been deprived of the Holi fun for the last two years was palpable. Even their guardians joined the revelry like they had never done before. After all, Holi gave a taste of old normal after a prolonged period of hardship.
Families in gated communities celebrated Holi by playing colour and revelling together while several community organisations organised colourful programmes in various Kolkata neighbourhoods. Over 75 families in a residential complex in New Town celebrated the festival of colours together this year after two muted celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While elders smeared colours, children hurled water-filled balloons at their friends.
Many pockets of the city celebrated the festival twice, on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi, respectively. Commercial establishments remained shut and transport options were limited. Residents visited local temples, followed by visits to friends and families to celebrate the festival. Makeshift sweet and thandai shops registered brisk business.
“For the last two years, we cancelled Holi celebrations due to the pandemic. Families might have celebrated within themselves but there were no community celebrations in the complex. This year, as cases are down and the government has lifted several restrictions, we decided to organise Holi celebrations in our complex,” said Paramita Adhikari, cultural secretary of the residents’ association in Green Wood Sonata in New Town. “The day started with Prabhat Pheri and a community breakfast where all residents ate together. It was followed by cultural programmes and playing colours,” said Adhikari.
From special colours to water guns, from pulsating music to rain dance, housing societies made all arrangements for Holi fun. “Not only Holi, this is the first festival we are celebrating in the past two years. Restrictions for Covid-19 had put a stop to mass gatherings on all festivals,” said the secretary of a housing complex on Diamond Harbour Road. The state government had lifted the night restrictions on Thursday and Friday for Holi.
Most parts of the central business district were shut on Friday as well as Saturday on the occasion of Dol and Holi and public transport was thin. “Due to the cosmopolitan nature of several neighbourhoods in central Kolkata, the festival of colours was celebrated for two days,” said Amit Bhuwalka, a resident of Nalini Seth Road in Burrabazar.
Several traders had organised pre-Holi get-togethers in their markets on Friday. “This is a long-standing tradition to have a pre-Holi celebration over sweets and colours before the festival day,” said Prem Mittal, a trader in Rajakatra market.
