Holi Cow! This is real freedom

Around 100 bikers participated in a parade as part of the Holi Cow Festival.

Exhibiting a moving visual art as a freedom of expression associated with the festival of colours Holi, around 100 bikers riding their colourful bullet bikes participated in a parade around the Capital. The three-hour long parade kicked off at the Embassy of Serbia and moved via India Gate to Humayun’s Tomb, Haus Khaz Village, Qutub Minar finally ending at Zorba, Sultanpur.

The parade which included an electic mix of participants ranging from diplomats, expats, artists to musicians had about 100 bikers in all. Called ‘Moo Yatra’, the parade was a part of the ongoing Holi Cow Festival, involving other events such as music concerts, puppet shows and, a painting exhibition. Although officially in its fourth year, Holi Cow Festival has been around for over six years informally.

‘Moo Yatra’ was organised by Bobby Singh, who is passionate about bikes and hand-crafts them. “Holi is all about expressing yourself freely and so is the Holi Cow Festival and motorcycling. I am passionate about biking and it allows me to be a child again and enjoy life,” said Bobby, who also participated in the parade and even designed some of the bullet bikes used in therein. It was for the first time that the bikers parade was organised on such a large scale.

“I designed the bikes in such a way that the parade looks like a carnival and the bikers like a lot of crazy people. The idea of participating in the rally was not just to get into the festive mood but also to celebrate our friendship,” he added. Bikers and pillion riders donned cow faced T-shirts for the rally, while one participant had tied a cow-head installation around his neck .

Holi Cow Festival was started with the idea of creating a happy eco-system of artistes and art lovers who want to celebrate and express their love and passion freely without commercial compulsions. From five artistes and a small audience of 85 people, the festival now attracts over 50 artistes and over 4000 revellers. “The festival’s look this year has been inspired by the quirks and colour of the Indian streets. Its kitsch meets Indian tradition. This year, the festival has brought 50 artistes, musicians, painters, graffiti artistes, puppeteers, performers, poets and dancers, said Nida Mahmood, who has designed the look of the festival.

Walks around the Phool and Rang Mandi in Old Delhi were also organised as part of the festival. “Holi Cow raised funds to sponsor Education in Performing Arts for 60 children last year in association with Fender Music Academy, Shahpur Jat. This year we hope to raise enough funds for 200 scholarships,” says Nida.