UNC Charlotte's Holi Brings 200 Students Together

When a stranger enthusiastically tossed handfuls of bright blue powder at a passing journalist, shouting "You're not colored enough, I can help!" it captured everything the UNC Charlotte Holi celebration was about. No one gets left out.

The Indian Student Association led four other campus organizations in hosting approximately 200 students for Holi on March 21 at Levine Fields. Students from NC State and UNC Chapel Hill joined the celebration, which featured bags of colored powder, water balloons, and food stands stretching across the field.

"Holi is all about spreading love," explained Anupam Sharma, ISA's president. "We're here to celebrate our culture, our religion, and the reason we celebrate with everybody."

The ancient Hindu festival dates back to 300 BCE and marks spring's arrival while celebrating the triumph of good over evil. The tradition began with the legend of young devotee Prahlad, who survived a fire meant to kill him while his evil aunt Holika perished instead.

While Holi started in India and Nepal, it's spreading worldwide as communities grow more diverse. UNC Charlotte enrolled 1,296 students from India as of fall 2024, making cultural celebrations like this increasingly meaningful.

Sunny's Take

Third-year student Amelia Baskin, who isn't Hindu or Indian, captured the event's spirit perfectly. "A lot of the people here don't know each other, but they're still throwing colors at each other, laughing, having a good time," she said.

For international students like Bindu Gunturi and Sowmya Ravuri, both born in India, the celebration offered something deeper. Back home, Holi meant walking through streets where colored powder, water, and even eggs came flying from every direction. Coming to the U.S. where the holiday isn't widely celebrated felt like losing a piece of home.

"I feel like we're back home with our family," Ravuri shared. "It's nice to have someone host it so people can all come together."

Bhaktiyoga contributed presentations explaining Holi's cultural and religious significance, ensuring everyone understood the meaning behind the colorful chaos. Delta Phi Lambda, Telugu Student Association, and Hindu YUVA rounded out the organizing coalition.

The celebration emphasized what ISA values most: inclusivity in an age when religious conflict makes headlines. They're creating spaces where all faiths feel welcome to celebrate and learn from one another.

By evening's end, even reluctant observers found themselves drenched in vibrant hues, proving that joy and connection transcend every barrier we build.