Happy Holi! As we celebrate, I wanted to put together a list of my favorite Holi songs. Some are about Holi. Others are from film scenes that take place during Holi celebrations. All of them are incredibly fun to dance to and will instantly put you in the Holi mood! This makes for a perfect playlist for Holi parties, school performances, or even just a living room dance session.
I’ve also highlighted a few key words from each song that you can teach your kids while you listen.
1. Hori Khele Raghuveera
A classic Holi song that feels traditional and festive.
Note: Hori is another way of saying Holi in a Hindi dialect. This is great exposure for your child — Hindi has many dialects, and similar languages like Punjabi and Rajasthani are often used in Bollywood songs.
Lyrics to note:
- Hori khele = play Holi
- Raghuveer = another name for the Hindu god Ram
2. Balam Pichkari
An absolute Holi party favorite! This one is high-energy and full of color.
Lyrics to learn:
- Itna maza aa raha hai = Having so much fun (great party phrase — you can ignore the “kyoon” part in the full lyric)
- Hawa = wind
- Milaaya = mix
- Gulaabi = pink
- Pichkari = water gun
- Jeans pehenke = wearing jeans
- Thumka = a sharp hip movement to the beat (a common, playful dance step)
3. Badrinath Ki Dulhania
A really fun one to watch with the video. This is the title track from the film Badrinath Ki Dulhania and features a big Holi celebration scene.
Lyrics to learn:
- Gulaal = the dry colored powder used for Holi
- Laal = red
- Baal = hair
- Dulhania = bride
4. Holi Ke Din
An older classic showing how Holi is played in homes. You’ll see gulaal, pichkari, and even a traditional Indian mela (fair-like setting).
Lyrics to learn:
- Holi ke din = the days of Holi
- Rang = color
5. Jai Jai Shivshankar
Another energetic Holi celebration song that’s perfect for dancing.
Lyrics to learn:
- Naachengey = we will dance (the “we” is implied in the verb)
- Hero bankar = becoming heroes
- Bhayankar = literally “terrifying,” but in slang can mean amazing or extreme
- Rang udne do = let the color fly
6. Soni Soni (Mohabbatein)
A colorful, celebratory song from the film Mohabbatein that captures the joy and vibrancy of Holi scenes in Bollywood.
Lyrics to learn:
- Soni = pretty (in Punjabi)
- Dil = heart
- Gaali = insult
- Deewana = someone lost in love
7. Chhan Ke Mohalla
While the lyrics aren’t specifically about Holi, the video features colors and festive vibes, making it a fun addition to your playlist.
Lyrics to learn:
- Mila na koi = didn’t find anyone
- Sapna = dream
- Jaisa = like / similar to (e.g., sapna jaisa = like my dreams)
- Mohalla = neighborhood
8. Holiya Mein Ude Re Gulal
A Rajasthani song I grew up listening to. It includes Marwari words, which are very similar to Hindi — another great example of how India’s languages blend beautifully in music.
Lyrics to learn:
- Holiya = another word for Holi
- Mhare = my (similar to Hindi mera/meri/mere)
- Gulaal = dry colored powder
- Mangetar = fiancé
You don’t need to turn this into a formal lesson. Just play the music, dance together, and casually point out a word or two. Kids absorb so much language simply through repetition and joy.
If you’d like more structured (but still fun!) Hindi exposure for your kids, check out our Hindi learning subscription service. We offer 95+ bite-sized videos, immersion activities like songs, dancing, and arts & crafts, and twice-a-month live group classes.
There’s no better time than Holi to bring more color — and more Hindi — into your home. 🌈
