At Uniformd, we believe in the power of diversity, inclusion, and education. Our community is built on the idea that every culture should be celebrated and understood, fostering a sense of belonging for all. Cultural traditions like Holi not only bring people together but also serve as an opportunity to educate and embrace the richness of different backgrounds. By sharing and celebrating these traditions, we create a more inclusive world for future generations. This blog is written by one of our team members, Roshni Madhvani, who grew up celebrating Holi and many other Indian festivals as part of her culture.
Holi – Through the eyes of a young girl growing up in the UK
Identity can be complex, especially when you’re growing up with a multicultural heritage. Although my family is Indian, they were all born and raised in Kenya, before moving to the UK. This is because, in the 19th century, during British rule over India, many Indians were displaced and sent as indentured workers to East Africa to build the Kenyan-Ugandan railway. Explaining my heritage often led to confusion, not just for others, but for myself as well. It wasn’t until I grew older that I truly understood and embraced the uniqueness of my background.
As a young Indian girl who was born and raised in London, sometimes it would be hard for me to fully embrace my culture, feeling easily embarrassed from being different to others. However, my mother always encouraged me, from a young age, to embrace my roots and be proud of where I come from. She made sure that, despite living miles away from India, my brother and I never missed out on celebrating our culture. One of the most special celebrations for us was Holi, the festival of colours, joy, and togetherness.
Holi is a Hindu festival with deep religious significance, celebrating the story of Prahlad and Holika. Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was persecuted by his father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who sought to be worshipped as a god. Holika, Hiranyakashipu’s sister, tricked Prahlad into sitting in a fire, believing her magical cloak would protect her. However, the cloak protected Prahlad, and Holika was burned. This is remembered through Holika Dahan, a bonfire that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, with offerings like popcorn, coconut, and grains given as Prashad (blessings).
For me, the highlight of our celebration was always the community gathering at our local Indian centre. It was there that I truly felt the magic of Holi. Stepping into the centre was like being transported straight to India. The air buzzed with Bollywood music, laughter, and the chatter of people greeting each other. Everyone, young and old, would smear brightly coloured powders on each other’s faces, celebrating as one big family. It didn’t matter if we were strangers; during Holi we all belonged to the same community.
Holi, for me, was a reminder of who I am and where I came from. Living in London, it was easy to feel a sense of cultural displacement, especially thinking back to when I was in school, and the lack of education around cultural celebrations. But, celebrating Holi with my family and community gave me a sense of belonging. In recent times, schools and communities are also making a bigger effort on embracing and celebrating different cultures, with events being held for everyone to come together and celebrate.
Even now, as an adult, Holi remains one of my favourite times of the year. It reminds me of my childhood, of my mother’s efforts to keep our traditions alive, and of the beautiful blend of cultures that make me who I am today. As I continue to celebrate Holi year after year, I hope to carry forward these traditions, sharing them with future generations so that they too can experience the joy, love, and connection that this festival brings.
