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PHOTOS: USC celebrates Holi

USC students celebrate the 2022 Holi festival

By Jason Goode
USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

(Photo by Jason Goode)

Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors or the Festival of Spring, took place on McCarthy Quad on Saturday, March 26, 2022. The event was hosted by the Association of Indian Students, the South Asian Business Association and SC Project RISHI. Millions around the world celebrate the Hindu festival each year.

USC’s Holi was attended by around 1,000 students, according to Ashish Kumar, the president of AIS. This year’s Holi marks the celebration’s return on campus from a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. USC celebrated Holi a week late as students returned from spring break, despite traditionally beginning the night of the last full moon in Phalguna, considered the twelfth month of the Hindu calendar.

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

A student gathers colored powder, known as gulal or rang, in their hands before greeting a friend with it. The non-toxic dye comes in a variety of colors including blue, green, orange, pink, purple and yellow. Traditionally red and green powder represents love and new beginnings, as Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and is commonly associated with the courtship of Hindu deities Lord Krishna and Radha. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

The organizations hosting the event provide dye in large metal bins. Some students bring personal bags of dye to the event and share them with friends. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

Clouds of dye permeate the air as students throw gulal. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

Students dance along with the Bollywood music played at the festival, courtesy of a DJ provided by the AIS. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

Water tubs were scattered across the quad, continuing the common worldwide tradition of mixing water with the colorful dye. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

Students celebrate Holi with friends and strangers alike. At times, students snuck up on unsuspecting friends to surprise them with fistfuls of color. (Photo by Jason Goode)

USC Annenberg photographs of 2022 Holi

A group of students celebrate Holi together. Students said the shared cultural experience fostered a sense of friendship and community and helped them introduce the traditions to new audiences. (Photo by Jason Goode)