By: Hannah Montgomery
Photos By: Bailey Ketcham
On a regular day, you can usually hear the Missouri Western band practicing on the field. But, this particular day was very different. Instead of music being played, people were being covered in chalk paint.
This was the first year that Missouri Western has ever hosted a Holi Festival, and it was quite successful. Over 50 students attended the event and, even though it was messy, people had a blast.
Holi is an important festival of the Hindus; it is a festival of joy. It gives us the message of friendship and goodwill. During this time, we forget our old quarrels and mix with all freely.
Santhosh Kasula is a student here at Missouri Western and was part of the set up for this festival.
“Well, my role was taking initiative of the festival, talking to the sponsors and convincing them for funds,” Kasula said. “I have been leading from front to the last to celebrate this festival with happiness and joy among the students and few other people from St. Joe community.”
He had been planning to celebrate this festival on campus with other international students and had shared his idea of having a Holi Festival with the International Students Club and Assistant Director, Fumi Cheever.
“She has already experienced this festival in her previous school and she was so anxious about it,” Kasula said. “She helped me gather the sponsors, have meetings with the graduate school dean and the liberal arts and science dean to sponsor the event.”
As Missouri Western has a large number of Indian students, they wanted to celebrate this festival on campus. Most of the local students didn’t have any idea about this festival, so they wanted to let them experience the festival and the culture as a whole.
“Hopefully, it will continue for coming years as well,” Kasula said. “This will be my last semester as a grad student, so I won’t be here for next year. That’s very disappointing, though.”
Kasula’s favorite part was gathering and talking to all of his friends at one place and making them dance with no differences.
“At least for one day, we forget social distinctions completely,” Kasula said. There is no difference between the rich and poor, and Holi gives us great joy. It is a happy occasion when we forget our cares and anxieties.”
This festival was a happy place, full of bright colors and lots of smiles. Hopefully, we will see it happen again throughout the coming years.