Color, Community and Celebration: Holi at TCU

Each year on a warm spring afternoon, the Campus Commons transformed into a vibrant canvas of color, laughter and connection. Students gather with handfuls of bright powder, ready to celebrate Holi — a festival rooted in South Asian tradition that welcomes the arrival of spring and celebrates joy, renewal and togetherness. 

At TCU, Holi reflects something deeper: a campus culture where students are supported in bringing their traditions to life. 

A Tradition That Feels Like Home 

For Yashaswi Shrestha ’28, a computer science student from Kathmandu, Nepal, Holi has always been personal. 

“In my hometown, you’d see people walking down the streets covered in colors, and it was always one of my favorite holidays growing up. Although it has religious meaning, it is also celebrated by many non-Hindu people, which makes it feel very open, joyful and community-centered,” she shares. 

That same sense of openness carries into TCU’s celebration, but with a new layer of meaning. 

“It’s really nice to see the sense of community we have here at TCU. It’s special introducing my friends, especially those who’ve never heard much about Holi before, to something that is so meaningful to me.” 

Bringing People Together 

For many students, this event is their first time experiencing Holi. For others, it is a chance to reconnect with a cherished tradition. 

“At TCU, I get to celebrate with people I’ve never even talked to before, and that is very meaningful because that’s kind of the whole point of Holi. It brings people together, even strangers, through joy and celebration,” Shrestha explains. 

Student-Led, Authentically Driven 

That spirit of connection is intentional. Events like Holi are led by student organizations like the South Asian Inter-cultural Association (SAICA) and the International Student Association (ISA), whose members work to create experiences that are both welcoming and authentic. 

“Events like Holi feel authentic and meaningful when they are rooted in real community, shared joy and cultural understanding. The majority of the people who planned this event are those who grew up celebrating it, so we made sure to keep it as authentic as possible without losing its true meaning,” Shrestha notes. 

Shrestha, who serves as SAICA president, helped lead the planning effort, which made the celebration even more impactful. 

“It takes a lot of planning and teamwork but seeing everyone come together and enjoy the celebration makes it all worth it. It’s special to help create an event that shares an important part of my culture with the TCU community.” 

Moments That Matter 

Moments throughout the afternoon reflect that care and intention, from music and dancing to spontaneous bursts of color and laughter. 

“One of my favorite moments is seeing so many people covered in color and just enjoying themselves without hesitation. It’s especially meaningful to watch people who had never celebrated Holi before fully participate and have such a great time.” 

Finding Your Place at TCU 

For students considering TCU, especially those from multicultural or international backgrounds, experiences like this offer a glimpse into what community can look like on campus. 

“I want [these students] to know that they will always be able to find a community here,” Shrestha shares. “No matter how [the community] may seem at first, there is always someone who shares a similar background or who is open to learning about and celebrating your culture with you.” 

Holi is just one example. Throughout the year, cultural celebrations across campus like Lunar New Year and Diwali create spaces for students to share, learn and connect. 

At its core, Holi at TCU isn’t about a single day of celebration. It’s about what that day represents: a campus where students feel empowered to show up as themselves, share where they come from and invite others into that experience.