Family, Friends, Food and Heritage

The colorful festival of Holi — a springtime Hindu celebration — was being held Basking Ridge-style at on Sunday afternoon, with plans to culminate in the tradition of tossing powdered colors on participants as the grand finale.

In Bernards Township, that big ending to the day's celebrations was planned to take place on the nearby soccer field in The Hills development.

"It's like welcoming spring," said Sundari Arni of Basking Ridge, an organizer of an event she said has been going ten years and strong as an annual festival that this year attracted about 200 local Indians.

She said volunteers cooperate to bring about the neighborhood celebration every year. Another festival, Diwali, is held each fall, also arranged by volunteers.

Before the final display of color, plenty of food, socializing and performances by local children filled the afternoon.

An ample buffet was provided by Hurry Chutney in Somerville, co-owned by Basking Ridge resident Subrat Patnaik.

Parents help prepare the children for their dance performances, accompanied by both Indian and American music, said Prachi Jain, one of the volunteers. Some of the performers are enrolled in a dance studio, which provided the vivid clothing worn by some dancers, she said. Other children played the keyboard.