Sankranti is a time to honour our traditions: Reeshma Nanaiah, Dhruva Sarja and Prem

The first festival of the year is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a deeply personal experience, a time to reconnect with one’s roots and celebrate the bonds of family and community, believe Dhruva Sarja, Reeshma Nanaiah and Prem. During a special shoot with Bangalore Times this Sankranti, they shared their heartfelt reflections on their cherished traditions of the festival.

Going to my neighbours for yellu beerodu was a cherished ritual for me and a celebration in itself: Reeshma"Back home in Coorg, Sankranti was always a simple yet deeply cherished festival. The highlight for me was the tradition of yellu beerodu. Every year I used to look forward to going to my neighbours for yellu beerodu along with my friends. It was a cherished ritual and a celebration in itself, " says Reeshma Nanaiah.


My brother Chiru and I carried on the tradition of Kicchu Haaisodu together, a practice we maintained for years: Dhruva"During Sankranti, my late brother Chiranjeevi Sarja (Chiru) and I rarely stayed home. It was a time for my late brother Chiranjeevi Sarja (Chiru) and me to escape to our farm. While the women of our family took care of yellu beerodu (the distribution of yellu-bella to neighbours), we carried on the tradition of Kicchu Haaisodu (fire for cattle) together, a practice we maintained for years," says Dhruva Sarja.


Sankranti marks a much-deserved resting period for our hardworking animals: Prem"This harvest festival marks the resting period for the cattle, who are used to working around the clock throughout the year. A key part of our Sankranti celebration is the Kicchu Haaisodu (fire for cattle) ritual. During sunset, we feed the cattle a mix of jaggery, banana, semolina and sesame seeds. This is to warm them up to the Kicchu Haaisodu session. The fire, sometimes, will be as tall as the cattle itself, and it is a treat to watch them navigate fire carefully with all their might. I have over 120 cows, and during the festival we give them a good bath, decorate them and celebrate them," says Prem.