Holi, in all its cultural significances and religious connotations,
aside from largely being the festival of merrymaking that it is, essentially
welcomes the spring, after the roughest patch of winter comes to pass each year.
Usually it falls in March each year and this year, it’ll be celebrated on Friday (March 18).

The festival is celebrated with colours, thandai (homemade drink)
and lifted spirits alike, as people indulge in a shared bond of festivity right
before the scorching heat of summer arrives for the next few months.

Also read: Haryana govt bans public Holi celebrations amid COVID-19 surge

While there are several components to a successful Holi
celebration, there are key numbers, mostly from Bollywood, which really set the
tone right and bring in the right vibes for a Holi party.

Keeping in mind the existing and steadily rising number of COVID-19
cases in India, the best way to celebrate the festival of colour this year
would probably be to play Holi in a close circle (preferably in a private
space), have one’s own arrangements – whether they include water guns filled with
a questionable mix of water-soluble colours or the classic choice of gulaal –
songs are a must in any Holi party, and there are several which in a moment set
the tune for such a party.

Listed below are five such songs which truly capture the
spirit of Holi, while able at the same time to get a party going:

1.     
Rang Barse (Silsila, 1981): An absolute classic,
this number right here unmistakably features in almost all Holi parties everywhere. Starring Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan. What makes it
more special is its composition by Bachchan’s father and renowned writer, Harivansh
Rai Bachchan.

Also read: Bihar Boards Results 2021: Class 10, 12 results to be out before Holi

2.     
Balam Pichkari (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, 2013):
Yes, we know this is an abrupt departure from the last entry. Post-2013 however,
this song has arguably reached the same character of being played in almost
every Holi party one sees. The reason might just be that the Ranbir Kapoor,
Deepika Padukone starrer embodies the new, post-2010 sensation and feeling of
Holi in recent years.

3.     
Hori Khele Raghuveera (Baghban, 2003): A throwback,
but more recent, the song features, again, Amitabh Bachchan, but this time in a
new avatar. Seemingly one of the rare instances of joy in a film mostly
focusing on disillusionment and sombre affairs, Hori Khele Raghuveera sees all
the major characters break out in a dance to the earthy, festive harmonium-based
tune.

4.     
Do Me A Favour Let’s Play Holi (Waqt The Race
Against Time, 2005): Sung by Anu Malik and Sunidhi Chauhan, the song was penned
by lyricist Sameer, and is quite popular as a Holi anthem to those growing up
in the early 2000s as well as others. After all, how can one not, when the
title literally says ‘let’s play Holi’.

Also read: As COVID cases spike, Delhi labels malls, metro, cinemas super-spreader areas

5.     
Holi Ke Din (Sholay, 1975): Sung by Lata
Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, two of Bollywood’s legendary voices, the song is
from Sholay, and features Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Hema Malini in the movie.
The number is still one of the most iconic Holi songs till date.

So, make your own Holi playlist with these songs and enjoy the festival of colours!