Indian celebrities call for subdued Holi celebrations
Source: AFP |
March 27, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BOLLYWOOD stars have joined calls for Mumbai to temper celebrations and reduce water wastage during a riotous Hindu festival this week, as millions of Indians face their worst drought in decades.
The Holi festival takes place today at a time when central parts of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, are reeling under a severe water shortage with no rain due until the monsoon in June.
Revelers enjoying the "festival of colors" have been urged to cut down on water usage during the festival, which is normally celebrated with wild "rain dances" and the throwing of buckets of water and paint.
"Water shortage in Maharashtra... and it's only March. What will happen in Summer? Save water! Play a dry Holi!!" wrote cinema veteran Amitabh Bachchan to his followers on Twitter.
Holi, a public holiday, marks the arrival of spring and is very popular in northern India.
Bollywood is known to throw lavish Holi parties, but celebrations are expected to be toned down this year. Television show producers say they have cut back their depictions of the festival to avoid water wastage.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh tweeted the "need of the hour is to save water," while popular TV host Mini Mathur wrote: "The mere thought of rain dances in the wake of the water crisis is creepy and tasteless."
The Holi festival takes place today at a time when central parts of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, are reeling under a severe water shortage with no rain due until the monsoon in June.
Revelers enjoying the "festival of colors" have been urged to cut down on water usage during the festival, which is normally celebrated with wild "rain dances" and the throwing of buckets of water and paint.
"Water shortage in Maharashtra... and it's only March. What will happen in Summer? Save water! Play a dry Holi!!" wrote cinema veteran Amitabh Bachchan to his followers on Twitter.
Holi, a public holiday, marks the arrival of spring and is very popular in northern India.
Bollywood is known to throw lavish Holi parties, but celebrations are expected to be toned down this year. Television show producers say they have cut back their depictions of the festival to avoid water wastage.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh tweeted the "need of the hour is to save water," while popular TV host Mini Mathur wrote: "The mere thought of rain dances in the wake of the water crisis is creepy and tasteless."
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