Purposeful Perspectives: Holi Festival

Holi is the festival of colors, a major Hindu celebration. It takes place every spring and celebrates the deities Radha and Krishna. In India, almost everyone takes the morning off to play in the streets and colorful powder finds its way to the face, hands, and hair of anyone who ventures outside. Holi has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, it was one of those celebrations that felt larger than life, vibrant colors, sweets, laughter, and the kind of joy that spills out into the streets and onto everyone around you. It is not just a holiday; it is a feeling. 

When I moved to the United States for graduate school, I was sad to leave this formative, fun celebration behind. But at my university in DC, I found others who also celebrated Holi. Through these celebrations far from home, I found my community. And this year, Holi fell just weeks after my move to Atlanta to join the Georgia CASA team. For the first time ever, Holi looked like a quiet afternoon at home. But even a simple, intentional moment to pause and honor a celebration that has always meant the world to me, kept the joy of the festival alive. And now, sharing this holiday with my colleagues and with you gives me hope that the joy of this special day can reach even more people.  

Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of light, a reminder that color and warmth can break through even the longest, darkest winters. When I think about the children Georgia CASA serves, I find myself wishing I could hand each of them a fistful of color. Not because it solves anything, but because every child deserves a moment that is purely, unabashedly joyful. A moment that says, “you are here; you are seen; and the world is bright.” The children in foster care often carry winters that stretch far too long. CASA volunteers can’t erase that, but they can show up, consistently and with love, as a source of light. In that way, I think the spirit of Holi lives in this work. It is the belief that joy is not a luxury, reserved for children who have had the best childhood. It is a right for every child, no matter their story. This Holi season, I hope you’ll consider how you might bring a little color into the life of a child who needs it most. 

As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, we recognize that holidays can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. In this series, Purposeful Perspectives, we asked our staff and board members to select a season, month, or day that is meaningful to them to share with our CASA community. Thank you for joining us as we take a deeper look behind the celebrations that fill our lives.