Raul Chandra, who created Holi Cow festival, dies at 48

Raul Chandra, the creative force behind Delhi’s Holi Cow festival, later rebranded as Holi Moo!, died on August 17 at the age of 48. He was cremated at Lodhi Crematorium.

Chandra’s work crossed music, fashion, filmmaking and advertising, but he was especially associated with Delhi’s independent music community. He organised micro-gigs at his home and built Holi Cow into a festival format at a time when large Holi music events were less common in the city.

Parikrama member Subir Malik remembered Chandra as an early supporter of the rock band and described the festival as ahead of its time. Musician IP Singh also recalled the house concerts and Chandra’s sustained work with artists.

Tributes from friends, musicians and colleagues have described a collaborator whose ideas helped turn small gatherings into a wider live-music culture in Delhi.