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-Holi meets Obangsaek: A Cultural Kaleidoscope at the Korean Cultural Centre India
-Korean Cultural Centre India blends Holi festivities with Obangsaek traditions
Korean Cultural Centre India hosted a lively and joyful celebration that delighted participants, giving them not just a fun-filled day but also a wonderful chance to learn about the rich symbolism of colours in Korea. The event was a vibrant blend of festivities and cultural exchange, leaving everyone with colourful memories and new insights.
The event introduced the Indian audiences to the Korean concept of ‘Obangsaek’ or the ‘Five Cardinal Colours’. Obangsaek is a traditional Korean colour scheme that uses five colours: White, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Red. Colours contain the historical and lifestyle characteristics of a country and its people, and in Korea these colours play an important role in various aspects of life such as art, clothing, food, architecture and religion.
In the midst of the colourful Holi festivities, participants learned about the unique significance of each colour and their importance to the Korean people. Every colour is tied to a specific direction, element, and virtue, coming together to represent the harmonious balance within the universe. For instance, the colour ‘red’ is associated with the direction ‘south’, the ‘fire’ element and the virtue of ‘propriety’. Similarly, the colour ‘blue’ is associated with the direction ‘east’, the ‘wood’ element and the virtue of ‘benevolence’, and so on.
The event was a colourful cultural exchange between Korea and India, as participants explored Holi and Korea’s Obangsaek, discovering the meanings behind the vibrant hues in both traditions. At the celebration, both Indian and Korean participants applied vibrant colours on each other. There was a palpable sense of excitement as a few Korean citizens were playing Holi for the very first time. People danced to popular Holi songs such as “Balam Pichkari”, “Hori Khele Raghuveera” and “Rang Barse”.
Some participants at the event wore the ‘Hanbok’, the Korean traditional attire, to showcase their respect for the Indian festival and the unity between Korea and India. Presently, in Korea, Hanbok is often worn for special occasions, such as wedding ceremonies, children’s first birthdays, and seasonal holidays including the Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok.
Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “Colours hold deep cultural significance in both India and Korea. Just as Holi in India symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the joy of togetherness through vibrant hues, Korea’s Obangsaek represents harmony in the universe, balancing the five cardinal colours with nature and philosophy. This shared appreciation for colours reflects the deep-rooted connections between our cultures, celebrating life, tradition, and unity through the language of colours.”
