Colors of Holi and the Allure of Salwar Kameez

The festival of Holi was celebrated this weekend in India and around the world where there are large Indian communities. This is a fascinating event and is also referred to as the festival of colors. I find myself in New Delhi during this Holi, and I can tell you first-hand. It's the most colorful event I've seen. It's like a nationwide St. Patrick's Day festival on an unimaginably larger scale with not only green but all bright, vibrant colors. People throw colored water at each other, and smear bright colors on the foreheads and faces of friends and families. In temperatures of around 80F to 90F, the water dunks are not unappealing. The preferred attire for ladies appears to be a white Salwar Kameez. I was told the color white is chosen so that all the colors create their own fascinating painting on the white tapestry of Salwar Kameez. Most of these white Salwar Kameez have graceful thread embroidery. The eyelet embroidery Salwars are fairly popular as well on Holi. Similarly, for men the preferred attire is a long Kurta Pyjama in white color.