Celebrating Southampton’s first-ever Holi festival
Anjali Mavi
I am originally from New Delhi, India, and I have lived in Southampton for the past 14 years with my husband and two children. I have an MBA with a specialisation in HR and marketing and have worked in the IT industry’s HR sector for 20 years.
Beyond my career, I am deeply passionate about community work. For over 12 years, I have volunteered in Hampshire and Dorset. I am currently a radio presenter with Unity 101 and I’m a social welfare officer with the NHS. I have also been involved in various cultural events and initiatives across Hampshire and Dorset, focusing on connecting people with nature and the region’s diverse landscapes.
I have been honoured with several awards, including the Women’s Community Impact Award in the Culture and Media sector. Last year, I was nominated for the National Diversity Award and recognised at the House of Commons for my contributions to the community as a volunteer.
Working under the banner of Hampshire Indian Community, a group we established three years ago alongside Jitender Mavi and Renu Deblish, I have been organising community cultural and social awareness events for the past seven years.
Hampshire Indian Community is a collective of like-minded individuals who are passionate about community service. Each member contributes their time and effort to support the community in meaningful ways. Our group has grown significantly, and we have an active social media presence with over 2,500 members.
Over the years, we have collaborated with various organisations, including Southampton and Eastleigh Councils, Southampton Forward, Solent University and the NHS, to host workshops and initiatives focused on health awareness and community wellbeing. We provide support in the community to help people find jobs, rent a house, find the right schools and navigate any other issues that may arise for them. We also have a dance group that has performed at several events across Hampshire.
In 2022 the National Trust in Dorset approached us to collaborate on an event. This idea took two years to bring to life and in 2024, we successfully organised one of the most significant cultural Holi celebrations at Corfe Castle. The event gained national recognition, with over 3,000 people coming together to enjoy the festivities, and it was this overwhelming response that inspired me to bring a similar celebration to Southampton.
Southampton is a diverse and dynamic city and because it’s also my home, it holds a special place in my heart. To organise Holi Hungama in Southampton for 2025, we’ve had tremendous support from Go Southampton, Southampton City Council and businesses across the city who sponsored the event.
The event took place on 9th March. This was the first time Southampton had hosted a large-scale Holi celebration, and we were delighted to be able to hold it in Guildhall Square. Visitor numbers massively exceeded our expectations – we were hoping for around 1,500 visitors but were delighted when over 2,800 people attended.
Holi Hungama Festival of Colours is a family-friendly event where everyone – regardless of age or background – is welcome to join the festivities. The event featured delicious food stalls, Bollywood dance performances, children’s rides and, most importantly, a live DJ set by DJ Mav with the joyful tradition of colour play, which brought so much joy to the celebration.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Holi team, along with Seema Chug, Renu Dublish and Paran Ahujla, for their hard work and dedication in bringing this vibrant celebration to life for Southampton City.
I also want to say a special ‘thank you’ to Sharkey’s Sports Bar, which is opposite the Guildhall. They went the extra mile by showing the live cricket match for all our cricket lovers, creating a fantastic experience for sports fans.
Celebrating cultural events like Holi strengthens community bonds and allows our children to embrace their heritage while sharing it with others. When cultural traditions are celebrated inclusively, it fosters understanding and unity among different communities.
Holi is a festival of colours, joy and togetherness, celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It is a time for renewal, where people come together to forgive past misunderstandings, let go of negativity and start afresh in all relationships. Holi reminds us to move forward with love and harmony, strengthening our bonds with family, friends and the community if there are any conflicts or grievances.
It’s such a joyful and liberating event – we can’t wait to host Southampton’s Holi festival again next year!
