Holi Festival: In a vibrant celebration of colours and cultures, the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) hosted a unique Holi celebration blending Indian traditions with Korea’s concept of ‘Obangsaek’ — the five cardinal colors. The event brought together music, dance, and cultural harmony.
During the Holi celebration at the Korean Cultural Centre India, one of the Korean participants shared her thoughts on the significance of the festival. She remarked, “Holi is the color of festivals. The Korean Cultural Centre India made it special and unique today by showcasing a cultural exchange between Korea and India. While embracing India’s Holi celebrations, we also introduced Korea’s traditional cardinal colors, Obangsaek. These five colors influence our art, clothing, and architecture. Through this event, I hope our participants enjoy and experience the richness and meaning of the colors in both cultures.”
Another participant expressed his excitement, saying, “Holi Mubarak everyone, happy Holi! I believe and understand the meaning and feeling of the Holi festival—it’s about community, a group celebration. Everyone is happy throwing colors together, celebrating as one. No matter our skin colour, culture, or language, we are all the same. We are united in celebration.”
He added that Koreans also have a similar tradition focused on colors. “It’s quite similar, but I believe in India, it’s more diverse and celebrated expansively. The five colors of Korea symbolize balance and harmony, reflecting the idea of bringing together differences to form unity. In Korea and India, I believe we can become beautiful friends and partners in celebration.”
The Korean Cultural Centre India organized a lively Holi celebration that blended India’s festival of colors with Korea’s cultural concept of ‘Obangsaek,’ representing five cardinal colors: white, black, blue, yellow, and red.
Each color holds cultural significance in Korea, symbolizing balance in nature, philosophy, and life. For instance, red signifies the south, the fire element, and the virtue of etiquette, while blue represents the east, the wood element, and the virtue of benevolence.
For many Koreans, this was their first Holi experience, and their excitement was clearly visible. The festive mood was amplified as participants danced to popular Bollywood Holi songs.
The celebration highlighted the power of cultural exchange, strengthening ties between India and Korea through the vibrant language of colors, a reminder that joy and harmony know no boundaries.
