Colourful Memories

Holi is one of my favourite festivals and we have always celebrated it together as a family. My most memorable Holi experience was the year before I left for Mumbai. My brother and I had created such dhamaal with so many tricks. Ever since I moved to Mumbai,I have really tried celebrating every Holi with my family and am very sad that I won’t be celebrating this year due to work. I’ll really miss all the fun — my mom’s champi sessions with coconut oil before playing Holi and the pranks my brother,my close friends and I would come up with.

Manmohan Shetty

I was a regular at the annual Holi parties hosted by the Bachchans. In the 1990s,their’s used to be the most lavish party. Everyone from the industry was invited and friends were called personally. Each one would be thrown into a water tank upon arrival and the garden had showers to wash off the colours. The hospitality was unparalleled. I stopped attending any holi parties after the Bachchans stopped hosting theirs.

Anil Kapoor

I used to attend the Holi parties at RK Studios that Raj uncle (Raj Kapoor) would host. The biggest of stars would attend and let their hair down. Now,the trend of the entire fraternity celebrating Holi together is phasing off. I too mostly celebrate the festival with family.

Shahana Goswami

Last year,I attended the Holi party that is an annual ritual for Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar. The warmth with which they receive one and all is rare. The festive mood and the arrangements — the sweets,the colours and the music — brought to life what I had only read about Bollywood’s Holi parties until then.

Tusshar Kapoor

I remember being invited to the Bachchan’s Holi bash by Abhishek nearly 10 years ago. It used to be hosted at their bungalow Pratiksha. There was so much fun with the colours that within minutes of arriving there and greeting people,you could not recognise anyone.

Priyanka Chopra

Holi is one of my favourite festivals,besides Diwali and Eid. I used to love playing Holi during my childhood and growing up years. Holi meant being with family and feasting on all the yum food such as gujiya,papdi,dahi bhalle and thandai that was made on that day. Unfortunately,I will be shooting for Agneepath this Holi and will not have time to celebrate it.

Creative strokes

‘Modern Abstracts’,a painting exhibition by Shakuntala Patade and Indrani Daura,is a feast for all art lovers. Through a visual language involving form,colour and creativity,the artists speak about their various inspirations. While Daura’s paintings are more symbolic in nature,Patade paints for the cause of educating underprivileged children. Daura’s works bring to life the inquisitive nature of the human mind while Patade’s brush is enchanted by subjects like Sita and Draupadi. Through this exhibition at Bliss Art Gallery,the colours of Holi will merge with the paints of their brushes. The display will be on till April 6,from 9.30 am – 6.30 pm.

A classical celebration

Vedic Heritage,Lonavala,organised its annual Holi Mahotsav recently which saw a beautiful classical recital by Ved Shiromaniji Padma Bhushan Pandit Jasraj. The event also marked the launch of two books – Shree Hanumant Upasana Sangrah and Nakshatranusar Namavai – written by Guru Maa Jyotishanand Saraswati. Held at Ashray Resort,Lonavala,this pre-celebration of Holi was attended by Rajashree Birla,chairperson,Aditya Birla Group,who was felicitated by Pandit Jasraj for her contribution to society,Jain saint Manak Munji Maharaj,Madhura Jasraj,Nayan Kishnadwala and other members of Vedic Heritage. Apart from Pandit Jasraj’s soulful renditions,the audience was also enthralled by a sitar recital by Swikar Katti,pakhawaj vaadan by Rushishankar Upadhyay,a classical vocal recital by Asavari Deglukar,a Kuchipudi dance recital by Pratiksha Kashi and a Kathak dance recital by Dhanashri Natu.

Shoppers’ corner

Pune’s shoppers spent one of their recent evenings at the launch of Rendezvous – the curio boutique at Lullanagar. Invitees browsed through a collection of stoles,scarves,jewellery,lifestyle accessories,artefacts,home accessories and exotic gifts at the store. Owner Andreena Rana played the perfect host to Ritika Ramtri,Nisha Rajpal,Poonam Ghai,Rupinder Vohra and Ajinder Parek of Wife Bina Life reality show fame.