A quick look at some of the Capital’s most happening Holi Parties
2019 Holi Party in Capital
Once upon a time, when Diwali dos were not quite the fad that they are now, Holi parties were the thing to look forward to. The late Raj Kapoor started the famed R K Studio Holi bash in Mumbai. Not only would the entire film industry turn up, there were also plenty of star-crazy gatecrashers. In fact, the story goes that a PR firm actually proposed to buy the rights for the R K Holi and charge people to attend it. Naturally the Kapoors turned down the offer. The ‘Holi host’ mantle in Mumbai has now been taken over by the Bachchans. And though they have not been very regular – after the demise of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, the family did not celebrate Holi – an invitation for the Bachchan Holi is much sought after. But far-away Delhi is not too far behind either when it comes to Holi parties.
Holi Party Ideas !
THE BRIJWASI WAY The Holi party hosted by jewellery designer Kamal Modi and danseuse Uma Sharma is all about tradition. This party is in real Brijwasi style. The programme includes traditional Holi ke geet and Brijwasi nritya. The party kicks off the night before Holi and revellers stay till dawn. According to Modi, the number of people who want to attend has increased so much that this year they have shifted the venue to Panchsheel Club. Guest list: The city’s culturati. USP: No Hindi film numbers and no wet Holi. Here, everyone plays with gulal and that too, herbal gulal. Menu: Malpuas, jalebis, pakoras, puloo, puri-adoo.
BELLY BELLY GOOD The biggest bottlers of the country put up an elaborate affair at their Prithviraj Road home every year Top-of-the-shelf liquor and professional DJs make the entire event a lively affair. Says DJ Rummy Sharma, “A DJ rarely dances to somebody else’s music. But I love it at Anurag Jaipuria’s party” Guest list: Industrialists. USP: Belly dancers from Sharjah.
POTPOURRI Rang, bhang and masti was the flavor of the Holi party at MP Rajeev Shukla’s house last year Street food like chaat, vodka gol guppos and mithais were in abundance. Guest list: Cuts across party lines. Rare sight: Faroog Abdullah dancing with Rajeev Shukla to a remix of Rang Barse. Other politicians throw Holi parties too. A lavish spread and high spirits typify L K Advani’s do. Here, the netas abandon their starched images and swing to ‘Bura na mano, Holi hai”. And no, saffron isn’t the only colour as far as gulals go. Vijay Goel, Chetan Seth, MA Naqvi are some of the guests who usually grace the occasion.
POOL PARTY “This is an absolute ‘must-attend’ for me,” says designer Rohit Bal. The spadework for media baron Vineet Jain’s Tilak Marg Holi bash starts months before the action. At the do, there is a Shiv]i (someone dressed up like Shiv, of course!) pouring thandai in earthen cups, a huge dance floor with mounted sprinklers and a DJ belting out Holi numbers and the latest hits. There is also a dumping pool for those who want to use it. Dress code: Sparkling white. Guest list: The city’s glamour brigade Menu: Spirits and a shudh-shakahari lunch.
Hot Sexy Girl in Holi
BIHARI STYLE Since Lalu – Nitish Jodi take control of Bihar Lalu’s son became the Deputy CM of Bihar this year they all celebrate holi in Patna, he has been hosting a Holi bash in typical Bihari style. No, there is no rowdiness but yes, the songs do get naughty at times. Lalu’s Holi has a musical troupe and dancers straight from Bihan Guest list: Politicians and some top industrialists. Menu: Malpuas, jalebis with rabdi (no pun intended), litti-chokha and of course lots of thandai.
USP of Holi: None other than host himself. He doesn’t mind doing a thumka with the singers and singing a few couplets himself.