Baton Rouge gets some color
Holi's spread in the U.S. follows the growth of the Indian population, and the adoption of a good time by people here
The big picture: The colors are coming to downtown Baton Rouge this weekend. That would have seemed unlikely not long ago. But Holi, the Indian spring festival, now turns up here as it does in cities across the U.S., wherever the Indian diaspora has grown and put down roots.
Why it matters: Holi celebrates spring, renewal, hope and the triumph of good over evil. Those themes travel well. So does the visual appeal. Colored powder flying through the air tends to make converts quickly.
The backdrop: Holi’s spread in the U.S. follows the growth of the Indian population, which has surpassed an estimated 5.2 million, according to Pew Research Center. As Indian communities have grown, so have public celebrations. And once a festival involves bright colors, music and sanctioned disorder, exuberant places like Baton Rouge generally do not need much persuading.
What to know: Head to Repentance Park between the Raising Cane’s River Center and the Old State Capitol from 1 to 4 p.m on Saturday, March 28. Wear clothes you do not mind sacrificing. The weather should cooperate, which is more than can be said for the name Repentance Park.
Who’s behind it: The event is sponsored by Colors of the World, a local nonprofit, nonreligious group that celebrates cultural diversity. The Holi Festival is one of its fundraisers.
The bottom line: Baton Rouge is not New Delhi. But for an afternoon, with enough colored powder in the air, it can borrow all the untamed spirit of that city.