I feel more energetic during Navratri: Kinjal Rajpriya

Written By: Yashaswi KocharFor Kinjal Rajpriya, this Navratri began on a great note, as she started working again after a short creative sabbatical. The 3 Ekka actress, who also celebrated her birthday during Navratri, shares, “The festival began on a great note, and I have been enjoying playing garba. During Navratri, every day feels like my birthday (laughs).” Excerpts from a chat:‘Bhumik Shah, Parth Oza & Aditya Gadhvi are my favourite artistes’I have been following Bhumik Shah, Parth Oza, and Aditya Gadhvi for years now and they are among my favourite artistes. So, depending on their itinerary, I decide where to go for garba. More than the venue, the artiste is important when it comes to playing garba. The rhythm is very important for a dancer. Gokul ma ek vaar aavo ne by Parth Oza, Rang Bhini Radha by Aditya Gadhvi, Saibo re, and Nagar Nandji na Laal are some of my favourite garba songs. Till my graduation, I used to play garba with friends at our housing society. It was like a Gokuldham Society episode (from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah). Making Malla Mata’s idol with other kids before Navratri remains one of my favourite memories. Every Navratri, you bow down to a shakti and that shakti reboots my system completely. I get charged up till next Navratri.‘I always opt for comfortable outfits’I always opt for the most comfortable fits, and I like my hair tied up. My favourite part about dressing up for Navratri is the jewellery we wear. For me, the type of jewellery matters more than makeup, like the tikka, kandoro, payal and bindi. It makes me nostalgic because this is how I would dress up as a child, something my mom taught me. I might forget to put on lipstick, but I will never forget my jewellery.‘I don’t miss playing garba even if I get to sleep for just two hours’Initially, it was difficult for me to work during Navratri because I didn’t want to miss out on playing garba. But with time, I have learnt to balance the two. So, even if I get to sleep for just two to three hours, I will not miss Navratri celebrations. I did a Navratri song, walked the ramp at a fashion show and started rehearsing for a movie. The last 20 days have been all about work, and I think divine power is guiding me right now. Playing garba is the balancing act for me. I don’t need sleep right now; I need to do garba to balance my tiredness.‘I eat just once a day during Navratri’I feel there is some divine power that is bestowed upon me every year during Navratri. I eat just once a day, but I feel even more energetic than on regular days. I think music and dance have a direct connection with divinity, which gives me the power to get through the day.