Happy Holi everyone! Today is the Indian festival of Holi, which marks the beginning of the spring season and the proverbial triumph of good over evil. Holi is celebrated across India with friends and family enthusiastically playing with colored powder and water, earning it the name of “Festival of Colors”. The festivities involve food, dancing, and frolic, making Holi easily one of the most enjoyable of Indian festivals.

Of course Bollywood has depicted this festival across numerous movies and songs. The romanticized depiction of Holi on the silver screen spans several eras, even as actors and styles have changed. As I listen to these songs now to get into the spirit of Holi, I can't help but notice that there’s a song for every mood! Don’t believe me? Read on…

1. Traditional – Rang Barse:
When I think of Holi, I think of this song. Sung in Amitabh Bacchhan's baritone voice, this is probably one of the most iconic songs associated with this festival. The video does a great job of capturing the merriment and mischief of the day.

2. Sweet – Khelenge Hum Holi:
In this song, Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Bollywood, romances the widowed Asha Parekh who is scared to give her heart away. The song itself has a bittersweet balance of happiness and sadness. Meanwhile, the cheer of the crowd and lively dancing spreads the message of brotherhood and love.

3. Cheesy – Do Me a Favor Let’s Play Holi:
If you’re in a particularly corny mood, look no further than this song. The lyrics, the nasal voice of Anu Malik, and the silly expressions will definitely make you erupt in laughter. Hey, it’s okay to poke a little fun. That’s the point of Holi, right?

4. Sensual – Lahu Munh Lag Gaya:
Woah, when did Holi get so sexy? The chemistry, the dancing, the outfits – they all leave you breathless. People may have polarizing opinions about the movie itself, but this song sure keeps everyone's interest piqued.

5. Modern – Balam Pichkari:
The new generation knows how to celebrate Holi with gusto too! In one of the biggest hits of 2013, Deepika and Ranbir depict the excitement of Holi in the extremely catchy song that’s still on my playlist. While the cinematography of the song and antics between friends feel very modern, the song still conveys the feeling of friendship and celebration that is so iconic of Holi.

There are not many things that scare me, but among the few horror-inducing things in my life is "wine in a can" (cue horror flick music). Don't get me wrong, I'm not a wine snob by any means. I like to think that I have a somewhat discerning taste but for the most part, I appreciate wine in all shapes and sizes. Except in a can. The idea itself is brilliant - cans are convenient to carry around, especially in outdoorsy places, and they allow you to enjoy small portions if you don't want to open a whole bottle. However, I've generally found wine in a can to be a disappointing experience. Even with fancy packaging and marketing gimmicks of "premium quality" labeling, I've found the flavor of canned wine to be mediocre at best. There's always something not-quite-right about the taste. Stale, flat, or lacklustre, you might say.

Enter the Sofia Blanc de Blancs Mini. It's sparkling wine in a can which, I dare say, is a game-changer. This product has been around since 2004 but clearly I got the memo a few years too late. I just discovered it recently at a wine store when searching for a bottle of chilled white wine. Something about the color of the can and its fancy lettering appealed to me, and I decided to try it (who says you need an occasion to pop open a small can of bubbly?). Turns out, I quite enjoyed it. There was definitely something right about the taste. Crisp, zesty, or effervescent, I would say.

According to an article I read, the Sofia Blanc de Blancs Mini targets a female crowd with an image of being a breezy clubgoer's drink. Well, whether you enjoy it at a bar or in the comfort of your home, whether it's for an occasion or not, I would recommend trying it. Perhaps a way to start off the weekend on a bubbly note?


What about you readers? What do you think of boxed or canned wine?