Fun Friday: Holi Uncle

It was Diwali this week back home. I was recollecting some memories growing up in India with some friends and was reminded of “Holi uncle.”

“Holi uncle” is famous amongst our group of friends as we have regaled the story many many times. This was about 10 years ago now and a bunch of us were playing with color (as is Holi tradition). One friend was suddenly ambushed and found himself on the receiving end of a whole bucket of coloured water.

So, in his attempt to take it out on the one who’d ambushed him, this guy came out with another bucket and yelled “Krishnaaaaa.” Unfortunately for him, this gave Krishna ample time to just about dodge his bucket of water, which he did. To our horror, it landed on a passerby in a brand new white suit. “Holi uncle” was clearly not pleased and he gave us – a bunch of drenched teenagers a shouting and went away.

A few days later, we were playing cricket near the same area and another friend fetched the ball and threw it back to us from afar. But, as luck would have it, “holi uncle” was passing by then and the ball landed bang on his bald pate. We were terrified again. He said nothing, and walked away.

The very next day, he happened to be passing by again while we were playing. This time, however, we were really prepared. The first one who saw him shouted out a warning and we all held a minute of silence as he passed. Every one of us looked down sheepishly. This time, he caught a few of our eyes and grinned. We grinned back. And that was the start of a friendship. He passed by many a time and we always remember to stop and smile.

A few years later, I even said hello and got to know him. He was a doctor and wished us all well.

This is one of those incidents I will never forget and brings out all those little things that came with growing up in India – festivals, “uncles”, play, love, elders, mischief, cricket..

Thanks to Holi uncle for making it special. I saw an “Incredible India” commercial yesterday that I thought it would share. There is a small part of it that shows “Holi.” I think the word “incredible” sums India up well. You might love, or hate India. But, you will never be indifferent to it. It is incredible.