As the jubilant Hindu festival of Holi arrives, we are thrilled to discuss the holiday with Anu Sehgal, Founder and President of The Culture Tree which produces Holi celebrations across NYC.
What is Holi?
Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place every spring. It's all about new beginnings – welcoming the spring season and celebrating the end of winter. Holi is the most fun and colorful festival and is now celebrated all over the world. It is a celebration life!
The festival falls on a full moon and is celebrated for two days. The day before the full moon is Holika Dahan. On this day, bonfires are lit for prayers and symbolize cleansing and starting afresh. The day of the full moon is the main Holi holiday, when friends and families meet, play with colors, and eat delicious food while they dance to popular Holi beats played by a drummer called a dholi.
What do your kids love about Holi?
My kids love playing with colors and celebrating their heritage. They also love the quintessential drink of Holi called thandai, which is like a spiced milkshake.
Holi is the theme of your debut children's book. Can you tell us more about your book and its inspiration?
As a language teacher and cultural educator, I read numerous books personally, as well as to my students. I am always in search of new content that is fun, educational, and meaningful. Kahaani Rangeeli or “Colorful Story” combines two passions of mine—language and culture. It is written in Hindi language, and is a beautiful story of Krishna, one of the most beloved Hindu Gods, and his friends. The book honors love and friendship above all else. It celebrates an ancient Indian story, while also sharing how we can celebrate Holi. Through this book, which brings Krishna and the colorful festival of Holi to life, kids and their families will learn the importance of friendship and love. They also learn that friendship has no boundaries and has to be nurtured.
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You produce several Holi events around NYC every year. What is your goal when offering these events to the public?
Educating children and their families about South Asia helps remove South Asian prejudices and stereotypes. Children are highly impressionable and open-minded, so it is critical to expose them to new languages and cultures early on in their lives. I believe that when children learn about another culture, they are more knowledgeable, well-rounded, and empathetic — thereby true global citizens.
Celebrate Holi at these local events:
* Produced by The Culture Tree
Friday, March 15
3-5pm: Around the World: Holi Celebration at Carnaby House in DUMBO (ages 0-6 yrs)
Saturday, March 16
11am-5pm: Holi In The City at BK Backyard in Williamsburg (adults)
Saturday, March 23
11am-1pm: Holi Celebration at The Seaport*
11am-5pm: Holi In The City at BK Backyard in Williamsburg (adults)
1-4pm: Annual Holi Party Fundraiser at Beach Dunes Eats & Arts at Rockaway Beach
Sunday, March 24
3-5pm: BKCM Celebrates Holi at Prospect Park
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Monday, March 25
Saturday, March 30
11am-5pm: Holi In The City at BK Backyard in Williamsburg (adults)
12-1pm: Kid's Holi - Aarti and Celebration at The Broome Street Ganesha Temple in SoHo*
Sunday, March 31
1-3pm: Family Sunday Holi Celebration at Rubin Museum in Chelsea (ages 3+)
Saturday, April 6
10am-6:30pm: Celebrate Holi at Brooklyn Children's Museum in Crown Heights
10am-5:30pm: Colorland Holi NYC on Governors Island
2pm: Holi Dance Concert at Flushing Town Hall Theater
Sunday, April 14
2-7pm: Holi By The Water in Lower Manhattan (adults)*
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Happy Holi!
Anu Sehgal is the founder of The Culture Tree, a cultural literacy and language education program. She lives in New York with her husband and her two sons. She is a marketer by profession, holds an MBA from Yale University, and has worked in the corporate sector for almost 15 years. Anu believes awareness of one’s heritage, culture, and language is key for children to become self-aware and confident individuals.
The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational & cultural programs. Our goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about Identity with heritage cultures.
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