THE FESTIVE FEVER

While the muchawaited Navratri celebrations begin, TV celebs share with us their favourite stories and memories of the festival

For many, Navratris is not only a festival to worship Goddess Durga but also about playing garba and dandiya for nine evenings. While some enjoy dancing, others look forward to dressing up not just for their TV shows but in real life as well. Here, some actors share their experiences.

BARKHA SENGUPTA

I remember the first time my daughter Meira and I went for a Navratri night, she picked up the dandiya moves so well that I was proud of her. While she did a great job, my husband Indraneil couldn’t manage two steps. I tease him about that as he’s a really bad dancer.

ARJUN BIJLANI

Navratri is an important festival for me. My wife and I make it a point to go to the temple during these nine days. Like every year, this year too, I will stick to a vegetarian diet and worship Durga Ma for the nine days. I remember, once I had worn boxer shorts underneath a dhoti and gone to play dandiya. But after an energetic performance, my dhoti tore a little as I had worn it a bit tight, and it was quite embarrassing. I had to run away from the venue.

SHRENU PARIKH

Navratri is one of the most awaited festivals of the year. Earlier, it used to be this frenzy every year to shop for nine outfits for every evening, getting decked up and dancing for hours. I remember when I was 15, I used to sing in a garba group and would want to dance too, but as I couldn’t manage both, I started crying on the third day while singing the aarti and the lead singer of my group let me go. After that, I danced and how! It was really sweet and I still remember that kind gesture.

HITEN TEJWANI

Navratri is a colourful festival and it spreads happiness all around. You don’t need to know how to dance to enjoy and groove to the garba beats. As a kid, I remember, we used to wait for Navratri, stay up late in the night and dance with our friends. On the last day, we would get snacks and play till early morning. That was the highlight for us. With time, the simple Navratri celebrations have become quite stylised.

SHRADDHA ARYA

I have fond memories of Navratri, where I have gone out with friends and played garba and dandiya. But this year, I am looking forward to attending a special Navratri event in Gujarat. I am really hoping to play dandiya and enjoy myself. Moreover,

I have started looking out for a perfect lehenga for this festive season and dress in my traditional best. For me, the festival marks the best part of the year with Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali festivities.