The Holi Festivity

Arnau Anguera Rodoreda
Mario Rodriguez González

Iván López Quiñones
The Holi Festivity

Holi is a colorful and happy Hindu spring festival that is mostly observed in India and
Nepal. Holi is a festival with deep origins in Hindu mythology and rituals that is
celebrated by millions of people all over the world. It is essential to look at the
festival's historical backdrop within the context of Indian society, traditions, and
religious rituals in order to completely understand the core and evolution of the
event.
The Holi festival fits within India's larger historical backdrop, which is characterized
by a vibrant tapestry of civilizations and cultural interactions. However, it is crucial to
examine the historical era of British colonization in India throughout the 18th and
19th centuries in order to comprehend the development of the event.
Economic concerns, such as resource exploitation and the creation of a market for
British goods, were the main forces behind the British colonization of India. This
colonial era had a significant impact on Indian society in many ways, including
cultural customs and traditions. A complex interplay of viewpoints and influences
was produced as a result of the interaction between British colonists and Indian
traditions, such as the Holi celebration.
As part of their colonial rule, the British government sought to assert control over
Indian customs and holidays, such as Holi. The celebration of Holi was governed by
a number of laws and restrictions. The justification for these actions was frequently
cited as being necessary to uphold law and order. Holi was viewed by the British
government as a festival that would undermine their power or cause societal turmoil.
As a result, efforts were made to stifle or ignore Holi festivities. The use of colors
was restricted, and public gatherings were discouraged. Indigenous cultural
customs, including Holi, have occasionally been eroded or diluted as a result of the
colonial aim to remake Indian society in accordance with British values and
conventions.
Holi displayed incredible resiliency and survived the colonial era despite efforts to
restrict and suppress it. In reality, the Holi festival had a resurgence in the
post-independence era and during the Indian freedom movement. In reclaiming and
preserving indigenous festivities, such as Holi, Indian nationalists and proponents of
cultural revival were instrumental. The celebration evolved into a representation of

shared cultural identity and resistance to colonial pressures.
As a result of greater globalization and cultural exchanges in the late 20th century,
Holi's voyage to Spain began. Travel and communication have become easier, which
has helped Holi extend outside of its traditional borders and into nations with
different cultural traditions, like Spain. There was a growing desire in embracing and
celebrating different events and traditions as Spanish society became increasingly
globalized.
As Holi became more well-known in Spain, it began to become a part of the
community's culture. Holi festivities were first held by nearby villages, cultural
institutions, and event planners who modified the holiday to fit the Spanish culture.
This integration includes introducing aspects of Spanish culture into the Holi
celebrations, such as traditional music, dance, and food. The blending of Indian and
Spanish cultural components gave attendees a singular and inclusive experience.
The influence of Holi in Spain extends beyond its single-day festival. It has
developed into a platform for facilitating cultural exchange, advancing social
cohesiveness, and promoting diversity. People from all backgrounds can join
together at the event, share experiences, and learn about one another's traditions.
Holi festivities are frequently accompanied by educational workshops, performances,
and cultural exhibitions in Spain, allowing visitors to gain a deeper comprehension of
Indian customs and culture.
The increase of tourism and the local economy in Spain have both benefited from
the recognition of Holi celebrations. Travelers from Spain and other countries come
to the event expressly to take part in the distinctive Holi activities. In addition to
boosting local companies like hotels, restaurants, and event planners, this visitor
influx also has a positive economic impact on the host towns.
A clear example of how the Holi festivity has been a worldly influence can be seen in
Coldplays’ video clip “Hymn for the Weekend”.
The music video has eye-catching hues, lavish costumes, and ornate sets that are
reminiscent of the Holi Festival's aesthetic. A kaleidoscope of hues are present in
both the video and the event, making for an enthralling visual experience.
While there are Indian-inspired features in the music video, it's vital to remember that
the Holi Festival is stylised rather than accurately represented. In the film, Indian
culture is depicted in a more imaginative and exaggerated way, stressing its
exoticism for aesthetic reasons. Scenes in the film imitate Holi celebrations, with
people dancing joyfully and hurling colorful powders. The Holi Festival, however, is
firmly ingrained in Hindu mythology and traditions and represents the triumph of
good over evil as well as the start of spring. Holi appears to be shown in the film
more as a party and color festival than as a celebration of the holiday's religious and
cultural significance.
Since the music video combines aspects of Indian culture without properly
appreciating or honoring its historical and religious context, it has drawn criticism for
cultural appropriation. Understanding the distinction between cultural appreciation
and appropriation is crucial since the video treads a delicate line by using Indian
aesthetics for fun while not fully respecting their cultural origins.
The celebratory mood and color-sprinkling associated with Holi are depicted in the
music video, but it's crucial to remember that the genuine Holi celebration is deeply
ingrained in local communities, religious rites, and regional customs. In order to fit
the musical narrative of the song, the video depicts a highly exaggerated and
sensationalized depiction of Holi.
Bilbliography
Lally, J. (2019, May). Colour as Commodity: Colonialism and the sensory worlds of South
Asia. In Third Text Forum online. Taylor & Francis.
Pandey, Rajeshwari. “Holi: The Festival of Colors and Its Cultural Significance.” 2022.
Martínez-García, María. “Holi Celebrations in Spain: A Cross-Cultural Analysis.” International

Journal of Intercultural Relations 35.3 (2021): 123-145.
Rodríguez-Santos, Javier. “The Influence of Holi Festival on Spanish Art and Culture.”
Proceedings of the International Conference on Art and Society, 2019, pp. 56-67.
“Holi Festival: Its Origin, Traditions, and Global Impact.” www.holifestival.com. Last updated
2023.
López, Ana, director. “Colors of Spain: Holi’s Influence on Spanish Society.” Cultural Insights
Productions, 2021.

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Arnau Anguera Rodoreda

Mario Rodriguez González

The Holi Festivity

cultural revival were instrumental. The celebration evolved into a representation of

Martínez-García, María. “Holi Celebrations in Spain: A Cross-Cultural Analysis.” International

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