‘Dasara is a true celebration of the myriad colours and flavours of India’

There is no festival that reflects the cultural diversity of India like Vijayadasami. Whether it’s the vibrant Durga pujos of West Bengal, the folksy dandiya raas of Gujarat, the spectacular Ram leelas of Delhi and UP or the colourful celebrations of the South, filled with bommala koluvus/golus — the entire nation is absorbed in celebrations during the nine days of Navratri, leading up to the grand finale on Dasara. And actress Rashmi Gautam says that the festivities at her home are a true reflection of the myriad colours of Dasara.

LIVING IT UP AT DANDIYA NIGHTS IN TRUE BLUE GUJARATI STYLE“My mother is Odia and my father is from UP. I was brought up in Visakhapatnam, so I have a strong connection with the Telugu land. all the cultures that we have been exposed to are reflected in the way we celebrate Dasara at home,” says Rashmi, adding, “if the Odia, UP and Telugu flavours weren’t enough, we also had the Marwari and Gujarati touch to our celebrations, thanks to all the dandiya events I attended through my growing years in Vizag. Navaratri meant relishing bhog and dancing my heart out at dandiya dos.”

RELISHING BHOG AND HOPPING PANDALS, ’COS IT’S DURGA PUJA
Thanks to her Odia roots, Durga Puja celebrations were always a larger than life affair during this festive season, Rashmi says. “While Dasara holidays meant nine full days of celebrations, the last four days were dedicated to visiting various Durga pandals across Vizag. I remember how much I looked forward to relishing the delicious kichidi bhog,” recalls the actress, her eyes lighting up. “For me, the bhog made at pandals is the epitome of the festival because no matter how hard you try making it at home, it never tastes the same,” she adds. For the actress and her family, who’ve been part of the West Visakha Cultural Association, community celebrations have been best part of the festival. “Puja at home is, of course, important but community celebrations have been the core of the festival for us. In fact, my mother even used to sponsor some of these community pujas. My favourite part was the evening recitals which spoke of how Goddess Durga conquered and fought evil,” she says, adding, “I also loved visiting the pandals at Kalibari, Steel Plant and the Kali temple at Beach Road in Vizag.”

OF PLAYING DRESS UP IN SOUTH SILKS, BOMMALA KOLUVU, BATHUKAMMA AND MORE...
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star, Dasara is always the perfect excuse to play dress up. “All the main women in life — my mom, cousins, aunts and friends — love to dress up in our finest clothes and jewellery on Dasara day. I pull out all stops and go fully traditional — think pattu cheeras, flowers in the hair, beautiful jewellery.” she explains. In the Telugu states, Dasara season also means visiting friends homes, checking out elaborate bommala koluvu displays, bonding over boondi, sundal, puli hora and vadas. “It’s all part of age-old tradition that has stayed
intact over the years. That’s what makes Dasara so special.”

This Dasara though, work is worship for the actress who will be spending the festival on the sets. However, she is unperturbed. “Maa Durga has been kind to bless me with work. So I’m not complaining, even if I’m missing all the festivities back home. It’s a Happy Dasara for me and I wish Hyderbad Times readers the same,” Rashmi says.