Delhi’s unforgettable Holi celebrations

The colours of Holi have permeated the atmosphere of the Capital. The fragrance of gulal and gujiya can be felt everywhere. Everyone, from the common man to the elite, is in the mood for Holi. While many Holi Milans have taken place in the Capital and will continue to do so, some remain particularly memorable. For instance, the Holi Milans at former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s official residence were always special. Indira Gandhi would personally serve gujiya to her guests, and the entire event was conducted with great decorum. For a period, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan oversaw all arrangements.

On Holi, the gates of Indira Gandhi’s official residence, 1 Safdarjung Road, were open to everyone. Indira Gandhi treated her guests to delicious sweets. However, after 1980, Indira Gandhi’s Holi celebrations weren’t as grand due to security concerns. By then, terrorism had taken root in Punjab. In later years, the arrangements for Indira Gandhi’s Holi gatherings were managed by her secretary, RK Dhawan.

Unforgettable Holi Milans of Atal

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Holi Milan celebrations—first at 111 South Avenue, then at 6 Raisina Road, and later at the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg—were always special because Vajpayee himself applied gulal to all guests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in these events.

At that time, he was associated with the BJP’s organisational wing. Delicious gujiya and other delicacies were served. All arrangements for Vajpayee’s Holi gatherings were made by his close friend, Shiv Kumar, a permanent fixture at the former’s residence. Guests attending Vajpayee’s Holi celebrations were always offered the famous balushahi from Ghantewala in Chandni Chowk or Bangla Sweet House in Gol Market.

Holi was also celebrated affectionately at Lal Krishna Advani’s residence on Prithviraj Road. Gujiya from the famous sweet shops of Bengali Market was served to everyone, and the colours remained within the bounds of decency. Holi celebrations at Lal Krishna Advani’s C-1/6 flat in Pandara Park were also very famous, attended by Vajpayee and many other dignitaries. Friends and party workers were offered sweets and food was arranged for all guests. Advani’s wife, Kamala Advani (now deceased), ensured guests left only after enjoying a full meal. However, after her passing, Advani’s Holi celebrations became more symbolic.

Holi Milan of Hakeem Saheb

Old Delhiites fondly remember the Holi gatherings organised by Hakeem Abdul Hameed at his residence on Kautilya Marg. Hameed was the founder of Hamdard Dawakhana, a pharmaceutical company. He initiated the Holi gatherings in 1955, and the tradition continued uninterrupted thereafter. Ambassadors from various countries, top national leaders, poets, writers, and the common man—Hameed’s doors were open to all. Everyone embraced each other, enjoying amazing sharbat along with delicious dishes and sweets. He passed away in 2001, and the tradition of Holi gatherings was discontinued after his demise. Prominent personalities such as Sharad Pawar, Rajesh Pilot, VC Shukla, Khushwant Singh, Kuldip Nayar, and Sheila Dikshit once took pride in attending his Holi celebrations. Hameed started this tradition to foster peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims in Delhi.

Also Read: Sapru House at 70: The silent witness to India’s foreign policy and cultural heritage

In recent years, the Holi gathering held at BJP MP RK Sinha’s residence on Humayun Road has also gained popularity. Leaders from various political parties, government officials, and journalists participate. This year’s celebration by RK Sinha, a journalist-turned-politician, became particularly memorable due to the Braj Holi songs by Pawan Singh and Sonali Singh from Aligarh. Guests enthusiastically danced to their songs.

APJ Abdul Kalam’s Holi

As President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam celebrated Holi in 2003 with about 1,200 children from municipal corporations and schools in the President’s House complex. Kalam spent nearly two hours with these children. Perhaps no president before or after him has played Holi with children the way he did.

Premchand playing Holi in Daryaganj

On March 8, 1936, Holi was celebrated enthusiastically across Delhi. On this day, Munshi Premchand, the “soldier of the pen,” was staying in Daryaganj at the house of renowned Hindi writer Jainendra Kumar Jain. He had arrived the previous day to participate in the formation of the Hindustani Sabha. Amrit Rai wrote in Kalam Ke Sipahi (Soldier of the Pen): “This was such a thing (Hindustani Sabha) for which Munshi Ji would have run not only to Delhi but even to Timbuktu.” Premchand arrived by the Sealdah Express on March 4, 1936. Amrit Rai further writes: “It must have been around nine-thirty in the morning (on the day of Holi). At such a time, a group of Holi revellers suddenly entered Jainendra Ji’s house and honoured Premchand with dozens of streams of water from pichkaris and gulal to such an extent that Premchand was startled. In a moment, he was soaked from head to toe with water of many colours. He got up hurriedly, composed himself, and said, ‘Hey brother Jainendra, I am a guest here!'”

Holi at DU and JNU

Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also brim with the fragrance of gulal and gujiya. Holi celebrations at DU’s Gwyer Hall carry their own unique charm, as students dance, sing, and apply gulal to each other, drenching one another in water, with thandai and gujiya served generously.

At JNU, political differences are forgotten during Holi. From morning until early afternoon, dancing and revelry continue to the tunes of popular Holi songs. Teachers also join the celebrations, enjoying famous film songs like Holi Ke Din Dil Khil Jate Hain... and Aaj Na Chhodenge Bas Hamjoli Khelenge Hum Holi… with great enthusiasm.