Boston Bursts with Color at ISW Holi Celebration at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
By Rajesh Khare
March 16, 2025, Boston, MA – The historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace came alive with colors as the India Society of Worcester (ISW) hosted an energetic Holi celebration, the Festival of Colors. The event attracted hundreds of community members and visitors, providing an authentic experience of this vibrant Indian festival.
The celebration kicked off with the Dhol & Tasha drums and the synchronized Lezim dance by the ISW Symphony group, captivating the audience. The group's performance filled the air with festive energy, encouraging the crowd to clap, dance, and join in the celebration with colors. "We matched the energy level of a performance in India. It’s wonderful to see the next generation now interested and invested in this tradition," said Akshay Rajhans, a member of the ISW Symphony.
In addition, the dazzling dance routines from various community groups further elevated the celebration. These performances, representing different regions of India, showcased the nation's cultural diversity and kept the audience engaged throughout the event.
"The Holi event was an absolute hit! The energy was incredible, and the performances had everyone completely captivated," said Prasanna Pawar, another participant in the event. Sonia Gera, an enthusiastic member of the ISW Symphony, added, "Such a fun-filled Holi celebration. Blessed to be part of this team!" Meanwhile, Yogini Lathkar expressed her appreciation for the event's spirit, saying, "So much energy and enthusiasm! Kudos to the organizers and all the hard work behind the scenes."
Performers:
Dhol: Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Akshay Rajhans, Arya Mulay, Madhu Thube, Meenakshi Vaze, Prasanna Pawar, Raghavendra Cowlagi, Rajesh Khare, Ranjit Mulay, Sakshi Gurao, Sarita Deshpande, Sonia Gera, Yogini Lathkar
Tasha: Arvind Kinhikar, Ayaan Sahasrabuddhe, Jayant Thube, Kaustubh Sahasrabuddhe, Mangesh Shinde, Parag Kunte, Sanket Gurao
Tol: Shirish Joshi
Jhanz: Ahan Rajhans, Ashok Kale, Manoj Gera, Vaijayanti Joshi
Lezim: Anjali Kinhikar, Anuradha Bhogle, Arjun Sahasrabuddhe, Arti Khare, Ashwini Sabnis Kulkarni, Maurya, Pallavi, Samyukta Warty, Saanvi Khare, Sharanya, Shatatara Lathkar, Shilpa Kulkarni, Shriya Joag, Shweta Sahasrabuddhe, Urudini, Vishakha Khamankar, Vivaan
Ghoshna: Maurya Pawar
Shiv-Parvati Mahakal Dance: Arjun Sahasrabuddhe, Ayaan Sahasrabuddhe and Uruvi Jagan
Shankh: Arjun Sahasrabuddhe
Tutari: Arvind Kinhikar, Jayant Thube
Dance Performers:
Aaradhya Mohapatra, Amrita Banerjee, Anaya Wasekar, Anita Mohapatra, Anjali Singh, Arjun Sahasrabudhe, Ayaan Sahasrabudhe, Basva Rohan Raja, Eshwar Reddy Palvai, Laxmi Niveditha Gandham, Manviya Bhaduriya, Mayra Bhaduriya, Minasri Borah, Monali Wasekar, Monalisha Kalita, Nija Shingh, Pranita Deshmukh, Reema Raghavendra, Sai Askhitha Reddy Kota, Sai Sriram Kasuba, Saoni Mukherjee, Saanvi Khare, Satya Gutala, Shatatara Lathkar, Smita Manjrekar, Snehal Kadam, Sri Shivani Mandati, Suchismita Hazarika, Suchitra Shinde, Sumalini Reddy Palvai, Tanvi Kunte, Tulika Gogoi, Vaishnavi Barot, Yojneesh Shakya
Photography: Arjun Thube, Mukesh Tanwanis, Pranita Deshmukh
The ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim group expressed their gratitude to the audience for their participation and to the event organizers for making the celebration possible.
Reflecting on the event, Arvind Kinhikar shared, "Right from the beginning, we knew we were going to rock! The energy was infectious, even inspiring a toddler to dance. It was a heartfelt celebration that truly brought Boston together."
The success of the event was made possible through the dedication of ISW volunteers, community partners, and sponsors. ISW extends its sincere appreciation to Nina Pellegrini of Faneuil Hall Marketplace management for her invaluable support.
