Compiled by Yojana Sharma

Holi, the name itself evokes the spirit of celebration of colours that are rich and vibrant, flung into air and smeared with laughter on friends and loved ones. To some people it's the promise of warm days and new life whereas others enjoy it by letting lose, partying out with drinks and wacky activities. HindustanTimes.com spoke to a few celebrities whose style today becomes the trend of tomorrow.

Puja Nayyar (FASHION DESIGNER)

Holi means colours, brightness, love and joy for me, much like Diwali. I was not a 'Holi person' earlier. I would lock myself in my room and watch others play Holi. Three years ago my friends didn't spare me. They literally nabbed me and coloured my face with grease and black paint. Gosh!!! I couldn't recognise myself. That incident transformed into an active 'Holi person'. Now I regret wasting numerous Holis, but I am trying to make up for it.

Every Holi I go out with my friends, play Holi and party in the evening. I will be following the same schedule this year too. My favourite colours are hot Pink and Scarlet Red, but mind you… they are for Holi day only. Otherwise I am fascinated by the soft shades. Some of my friends do relish bhaang pakoras and thandai, but I haven't tried them as yet.

I may try them sometime, but not necessarily this year. I would rather be busy enjoying myself and playing pranks on people. White clothes are favourite Holi dress. They look like a clean canvas, waiting for people to come and color it in different shades. All the colours look so beautiful on Holi. The multicolored kurtas and the colour-smeared faces make it a memorable festival.

Javed Habib (HAIR DRESSER)

Well Holi is more like a family function for me. I go to see my parents in New Friends Colony. Early morning, I put a small tikka and don a white kurta. I play Holi very decently, unlike my kids who enjoy playing a very wild Holi. They team up with their cousins (my brother's kids) and run all over the place with water guns in their hands. They carry loads of powdered colour in their fists and smear it on anybody they see first.

I don't have to rush for work and I am in a relaxed mood. Family dinner is a ritual for us. I like sukhi Holi though. I like playing it with sober and natural colours. There are all the possibilities of hair and skin being spoilt by the synthetic colours, paints and grease. It is not a sensible way of playing. I guess white clothes signify the summers don't like people getting drunk and creating scenes. That spoils the mood of Holi.

Mehar Bhasin (EX-MODEL - FASHION SHOW COREOGRAPHER)

Holi spells lot of fun, happiness and colours for me. I like getting completely drenched in water and all sorts of colours splashed over my face. With colored faces people look like cartoon characters and behave like one too. Last year's Holi was bad for me. I had got my hair streaked from New York just before Holi. The Holi hooliganism obviously didn't spare my hair or face either. So my streaks got spoilt and I had to get it redone.

Though, I love playing the wild Holi, but I will be a bit careful this year. I'll play it with powered natural colours and will still prefer the sober shades. I cant afford to experiment with pucca colours as I may end up looking like a joker and I have a show in Dubai the next day. You can't go wearing black for the Holi day. So people prefer wearing white. I have seen a lot of friends getting intoxicating, but it is not good. I've had bhaang too, but in very small amount. I don't mind having it as long as I can be in my senses.

Ramneek Paintal (MODEL)

I like enjoying festivals. Every festival has its own charm. Diwali is brighter while Holi is a family and friends affair. Like ever year, I will celebrate it with my family and friends. The evening is defiantly booked for a party. Everybody looks so different with so much of colours on their face. You don't recognise people with paint and grease on their face. Moreover people break away from inhibitions and open out.

That is a wonderful feeling Red and yellow are my favourite colours. They are very bright and nice, much like the mood if Holi. I don't like the silver, golden and black paints which are much in fashion. I also try to be very careful with the synthetic colours. I prefer the natural colours. They are easy to get rid off.

Like any other festival, Holi is also a meethai affair. I love feasting on the sweets, but bhaang and other such intoxicants are a big no-no for me. White kurtis have a beautiful appeal. Gulal and abir look more appealing on a white kurta. I would like to get drenched in water and dance to the holi numbers.

Palash Sen (SINGER)

These days Holi is played in an unholy manner. We should be playing it in a more dignified manner. Essentially holi means good food and spending quality time with friends and family. Not much colours in my Holi.

There was a time when I played holi with boot polish, it was that bad. But now things are different. I usually don't play or make it a very sober affair. I am allergic to colours and also I don't like getting drenched in water. It is bad for my throat. Moreover I think I have grown up from that phase.

I like eating meethai and gujias, but not bhang. I don't appreciate such activities much. White clothes are more inviting. All the colours look more bright on a white background. White is definitely inviting.

Monisha Bajaj: (FASHION DESIGNER)

This Holi is very different for me. My daughter is just six months old, so I'll be very careful while playing Holi. I guess it will be more of a family function than of a festival. I will spend the day with my husband and family.

My Holi will be more about putting a small tikka and embracing people. The favourite gulal and red is my favourite for Holi. My most memorable Holi was in 1978. I was just married then and had a blast with my husband. Our faces were smeared with blue and black paints and we just couldn't recognise each other.

White clothes are very appealing. It is as if they cry out loud saying come pour coloured water on me. Personally I don't wear white for Holi functions. I wear it after I am through with getting drenched and splashing colours.

Sunit Tondoan (NEWS READER)

Well, Holi is the time to let your hair down and get close with friends. It is a time to get close with old friends and extend a hand of friendship to others. Lucknow, the place I belong from has a great tradition of celebrating holi. It is the time to embrace people. Everybody feels equal and its such a nice feeling.

I remember the traditional way of celebrating Holi. My grandmother prepared powdered colour from tesu and palash. She would greet people by putting a gulal tikka on forehead and we would happily feats on the gujiyas. I would love to play it the same way. The most memorable Holi was when I was working with Doordarshan as a TV host. I wanted to enjoy Holi, but at the same time made sure that I don't end up looking like a clown for the evening bulletin.

The kids would just love to put silver and golden colour on my face. It was just fun. Now I don't have any such problems, but I still want to look sensible the next day.

Jatin Das (PAINTER)

This Holi will not be any different from other years. For the moment I will be more busy working for the upcoming art exhibition in April. Probably, I wile be working on holi too.

Joey Mattehws (MODEL)

I am a Malyali and don't enjoy playing Holi. It's a very messy feeling. All that I can recall of the past Holi days is seeing people play it with water, paints or even powdered colours. Holi is also associated with drinking, going high and later acting senselessly. I remember Holi as an event when coloured faces behave awkwardly. A lot of hooliganism is displayed in the name of fun. So I try to stay away from it.

Besides Holi I enjoy all other festivals. Diwali has a religious significance. Moreover Diwali has a bright atmosphere, so I guess I like it compared to Holi. Though a lot of friends invite for Holi parties, but I generally avoid going out on that day.