Colourful celebrations

Colourful celebrations

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Hundreds celebrated Holi, the festival of colour. Photograph – Ravinder Virk.

Hundreds of residents including Jude Dingle from Byford and his friends from Roleystone, Seville Grove and Thornlie celebrated the Indian festival of colour known as Holi on March 12.

Hosted by the Indian Society of WA at Perry Lakes Reserve in Floreat Holi celebrates the festival which signifies the victory of good over evil and the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
For many it is a time for fun and has become synonymous with throwing coloured powder on people.

Mr Dingle said very few of his friends actually knew what the festival was about.

“We just have a great time throwing powder on each other,” he said.

“It’s great fun and for many of us who live overseas it’s a nice reminder of home.”

Originally from Bangalore Mr Dingle has been in WA for five years and eagerly looked forward to Holi.

“I really enjoy it,” he said.

“We all have a laugh and it was just amazing.

“The atmosphere was great.”

Indian Society of WA vice president Surya Ambati said Holi was a festival for everyone.

“Australia is very multicultural,” he said.

“Our society is all about being inclusive and Holi is a great way to celebrate together irrespective of someone’s background.”

Mr Ambati said the rain did not deter residents from enjoying themselves.

“It’s all about bringing the community together,” he said.

Mr Ambati said the Indian Society had already booked the venue for next year and he could not wait for the celebrations.