As I grew up, I understood what Holi meant and started loving it: Pallavi Chatterjee

Actress-writer-producer Pallavi Chatterjee, last seen in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, says Holi has always been about togetherness.“Holi is love. It’s about being united. The colors represent different emotions of human beings,” she says. “For the last 15 years, I have been hosting my close friends on Holi. They are family to me. It’s a family affair — their children also join.”She also recalls attending a special celebration in Mumbai. “I have been fortunate in the last two to three years to attend a very different Holi party at Baba Azmi sir, Tanvi Azmi ma’am, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar saab’s house. The ambience, warmth, music, and of course the food — everything is wonderful there.” Having lived in Delhi during her early years, she has experienced North Indian Holi too. “It’s huge and fun in North India,” she says.Interestingly, Holi once scared her. “As a child, I was extremely scared seeing people covered in colors coming home. I couldn’t understand the ‘fun’ part. But as I grew up, I understood what Holi meant and started loving it.”Speaking about Holika Dahan, she shares, “In Bengal, it’s called ‘Nyarapora.’ People light bonfires to burn negativity. I burn camphor every day at home to destroy negative energies.”Pallavi prefers dry, organic gulal. “And I don’t put gulal on myself unless I first offer it to Lord Krishna and my mother’s picture. Also, we should not inconvenience senior citizens or animals while celebrating.”