From Coloring Animals To Throwing Eggs, Here Are 9 BIG NOs To Remember Before You Play Holi
niharika nayakBA (Media & Communication) Experience: 4 yearsNiharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... more
Image: Shutterstock
Who doesn’t love playing Holi? The vibrant festival of colors is so popular, it’s celebrated by Indians world over. Some international campuses even have color runs and other events that essentially copy the concept of Holi. And while you may enjoy celebrating Holi with those around you, not everyone might feel the same. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the festival as merrily as you want, as long as you don’t create a nuisance for those who don’t celebrate that festival. And yes, that includes your favorite doggo, Tommy. Read this list to know how NOT to be a nuisance this Holi:
1. Throwing Color On Animals
We get it, the neighborhood Kutta is your longest and oldest friend but if he means something to you, you won’t throw color on him. Even if companies claim that their colors are animal-friendly. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right? Unlike humans who can wash off whatever colors are thrown on them, animals are oblivious. For them, colors are just an impurity they need to clean and will hence get color in their mouths in the process of doing so.
2. Applying Color On Someone Without Consent
While you may love turning your Malmal Kurti into a Gulaabi one, that doesn’t mean everyone in your neighborhood does. There might be an unfortunate soul who doesn’t get a break on Holi and is already in a grumpy mood because of it. Wouldn’t you feel horrible if someone stained your favorite white top with colors? Just leave people who don’t want to play Holi alone. They’ll be nicer to you for it.
3. Using Metallic Colors Or Grease
Hey, if you wanna look like an Oscar award or a Fifa trophy, just use Photoshop. Why would you waste any money on these harsh, metallic chemicals? Besides being notoriously difficult to take off, these colors also make you look like a jewelry store or Hrithik Roshan from Dhoom 2.
4. Throwing Pollution-causing Materials Into The Bonfire
We all know Holika Dahan is an important tradition but we need to be mindful of what we choose to burn and how we choose to do it. Adding pollution causing substances along with firewood causes increased amounts of pollution. We really cannot afford to risk it at a time like this. Considering how polluted most of our cities are, creating more pollution is a stupid decision.
5. Driving Recklessly
Yeah, we understand that you don’t want your scooter covered in colors but please be mindful of the roads. In all the color, you might just end up running over an innocent, frightened animal or worse, an old lady! We’re just kidding. Although the rush of taking your friends’ tripsies might feel amazing at the moment, one wrong move and the three of you will be in three different spots when they find you!
6. Throwing Eggs At People
Eggs are for eating and hair masks. Period. Stop throwing eggs at strangers. As a grown-up, it’s pathetic that you would still want to waste precious poultry products on Taklu uncle’s head. Sure, you might say it’s just for gags, but that egg you just wasted could’ve been someone scrambled egg, or sunny side up or omelet… We digress, back on topic! Not only is throwing eggs at people, extremely unhygienic but it also hurts pretty bad. Keep the eggs where they belong. Inside your fridge.
7. Dragging Your Friends Through Mud
Dragging your friends into pools seems like a taxing task in the first place. Barging into a different friend circle, grabbing onto the first person you see and pushing them into the mud is completely unacceptable behavior. Sure, Bura Na Maano Holi Hai is catchy to sing but forcing someone to eat dirt without their consent is a pretty shitty thing to do.
8. Washing Up In Running Water
In the cities, it would be difficult to find a running water source that isn’t a pipe, but it’s not okay to wash your colors off in a running water source like a river or dam or even a small stream. For all you know, people could use that water to wash their clothes or bathe or even worse, drink! The best way to wash yourself would be to wash up near a drain (that doesn’t open up into the sea or a freshwater resource) or simply wash up in the comfort of your own home.
9. Wasting Water Unnecessarily
What if we told you that you could play Holi and have zero water wastage? Sounds unbelievable? Believe it. Many people and housing societies have taken to not using water during their Holi celebrations or limiting the usage to a smaller amount. Because many parts of our country go through drought during this time, it would be considerate of us to not waste water or simply throw colors on people, rather than water.
All in all, it’s perfectly alright to have fun and celebrate Holi dhoom dhaam se, but know and understand your limits. While certain behavior might have been acceptable when you were a child, it is our duty to educate and inform the younger generation about Holi etiquette. How are you celebrating your Holi this year? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below.
