HOLI

By Mahesh Elkunchwar

The psychological impact of fitting in—and the rage that often accompanies it—takes center stage in Holi, a gripping play that unfolds through the interactions of a group of college friends living in a hostel. When they discover that their holiday for Holi has been cancelled, their agitation grows, and the festival becomes a symbolic backdrop for their deeper emotional struggles.

Beneath the colors and chaos, each character wrestles with feelings of alienation, societal pressure, and the intense desire to conform. As they confront the identities they have shaped over the years, past choices and failures resurface, leading to sharp exchanges that expose the cracks in their friendships and personal aspirations.

The play explores the cost of belonging—the sacrifices made to fit into expectations and the simmering frustration that builds when those expectations remain unmet. Holi is a raw, bittersweet reflection on identity, acceptance, and the human condition.

Does this play, written in 1971 by Mahesh Elkunchwar, still hold relevance today? There’s only one way to find out—come and watch for yourself.

CAST

Abhisek Rai as Srivastav

Ashwin Galave as Lallu

Shrey Sharma as Madhav

Vikrant Verma as Anand

Mangesh Ingole as Taimur

Anil Saini as Ranjit

Shashank Nagpal as Thakur

Utkarsh Thakur as Vasant

Jainika Gala as Banerjee

Aryan Rathod as Pandey

Janhavi Pawar as Mummy

Avnit Walia as Kunda

Shweta Mishra as Professor Karkhanis

Simran Kalra as Principal Pandey

Sonal Sagore as Atithi Desai

Deepika Prajapat as Boy (who gives the speech)

Sangita Uranw as Police Inspector

CREATIVE TEAM

Original Play: Mahesh Elkunchwar

Translation: Vasant Dev

Direction: Dr. Priyanka Pathak

Assistant Director: Sumit Bishnoi

Sound Design: Pritul Biswas

Costume Design: Yash Thakkar

Scenography: Ujjwal Kumar

Lights Operation : Utkarshh Babbar

Associate Producer: Sumit Rawal

Producer: Vivek Madan