For many Indians who return home after living abroad, the first things they talk about are often family gatherings, favourite foods, festivals or familiar neighbourhoods.
For Mohini Mohandas, however, the biggest surprise after moving back to India from Canada was something far simpler.
It was colour.
In a video that has sparked conversations among Indians living both at home and overseas, Mohini shared how returning to India after four years in Canada made her notice the vibrancy of everyday life in a way she never had before.
Her observations struck a chord with thousands of viewers, many of whom said they had experienced similar feelings after spending years outside the country.
A Different Kind of Homecoming
Speaking in her Instagram video, Mohini explained that one of the things she has enjoyed most since returning to India is the abundance of colour surrounding her every day.
“The one thing that I have truly loved about moving back to India after living in Canada for four years is how colour has come back into my life,” she said.
To illustrate her point, she highlighted her bright blue nail polish and a vibrant red dress before describing a recent exhibition she attended.
According to her, the event featured clothing in vivid shades of green, blue, pink and purple, along with sequins, embroidery and decorative details that immediately caught her attention.
What stood out was not just the clothing itself but the realization that she had missed seeing such visual richness in her daily routine.
The Shift Toward Neutral Tones
Mohini reflected on how her wardrobe gradually changed while she was living and working in Canada.
Over time, she found herself gravitating toward neutral colours such as beige, grey, white and what she jokingly referred to as “greige.”
There was nothing inherently wrong with those choices, she noted. Yet she eventually realized that brighter colours had quietly disappeared from her daily life.
“I love not having to wear beige, grey, white and greige to work every day. I did not realise how much life that would bring back into me and how it would reignite my soul until I moved back,” she shared.
The comment resonated strongly with viewers, many of whom said they understood exactly what she meant.
Why the Video Connected With So Many People
The discussion quickly evolved beyond fashion.
For many people, Mohini’s observations reflected a broader experience of living abroad and then returning home.
Several commenters described missing the visual energy of Indian streets, markets and festivals while living overseas.
One user wrote, “Welcome back to maximalism and yellow sunlight.”
Another said they missed India’s colours every day after relocating abroad.
Others who had lived in countries such as the United States and Japan noted that they, too, often found themselves longing for the vibrancy of everyday life in India.
Many viewers suggested that the video touched on something rarely discussed: the emotional impact of colour and environment on well-being.
More Than Clothes and Decorations
Not everyone agreed that the experience was tied to geography.
Some viewers pointed out that wearing colourful clothing remains a personal choice regardless of where someone lives.
One commenter shared that she regularly wears bright outfits and bold accessories in Canada because that reflects her personality.
The differing perspectives highlighted an important point.
The conversation was less about comparing countries and more about understanding how surroundings subtly influence people’s habits and preferences.
Weather, workplace culture, social norms and even retail trends can shape the colours people wear and the environments they create for themselves.
Rediscovering Everyday India
For many returning Indians, familiar sights often take on new meaning after years abroad.
A walk through a local market may reveal details that once seemed ordinary:
- Brightly coloured saris displayed in shopfronts
- Flower vendors carrying baskets of marigolds and jasmine
- Rows of bangles reflecting sunlight
- Vibrant storefronts and street art
- Festival decorations that transform entire neighbourhoods
These scenes are often so familiar that residents rarely stop to notice them.
Yet after spending years away, they can suddenly feel extraordinary.
The Psychology of Colour and Belonging
Experts have long noted that colour can influence mood, perception and emotional responses.
Different cultures also engage with colour in unique ways, incorporating it into celebrations, clothing, architecture and public spaces.
India’s visual landscape has historically been associated with rich colours, intricate patterns and vibrant public life. For many members of the Indian diaspora, reconnecting with those elements can evoke a strong sense of familiarity and belonging.
Mohini’s reflections appear to have resonated because they captured a feeling many people struggle to describe—a realization that home is often experienced through small details rather than major events.
A Reminder Hidden in Everyday Life
The popularity of the video suggests that nostalgia is not always about grand memories.
Sometimes what people miss most are the everyday experiences they rarely think about while living among them.
The smell of food from a roadside stall.
The sound of a crowded marketplace.
The sight of colourful fabrics swaying in the afternoon breeze.
For Mohini, returning to India brought back something she hadn’t consciously realized was missing.
Not a specific place or object.
Just colour—and the unexpected sense of energy and connection that came with it.
