Meghna Naidu: I am missing Navratri celebrations

Meghna Naidu, who is currently in Dubai with her Portuguese husband, Luis Miguel Reis, is missing all the festivities back home. The actress, who is also a professional dancer, says that she has an emotional connect with Navratri.

She says, “The festival of Navratri comes with a promise of nine days filled with fun, frolic, dance and festivities all around. It is one of the most vivacious festivals celebrated at home after Ganesh Chaturthi. Navratri symbolises the victory of good over evil, but more importantly, it celebrates the spirit of Indian culture in its togetherness. The festival is not just limited to offering prayers to

Goddess Durga

, but also about dressing in colourful traditional attire, singing folk songs and indulging in fun activities like garba and dandiya. I have always enjoyed the tradition of Navratri. I remember since childhood, I used to enjoy all nine days and participate in garba and dandiya competitions and come back home with trophies.”

The ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’ star admits she is missing all the fun this year. She adds, “Dandiya is usually played late evening, after performing the aarti. But this year, looking at the

pandemic

, people are missing out on all the fun. Not many people know that besides setting up a festive mood, these dance forms also hold a special significance in the nine-day long festival. Garba and dandiya are believed to be the dramatisation of the fight between the Goddess Durga and Mahishasur – the mighty demon king. The sticks of the dandiya dance represent the sword of Goddess Durga. This is the reason why the dance form is also known as the Sword Dance.”

Meghna is known for being a part of shows like '

Sasural Simar Ka

' and 'Jodha Akbar'. She has also been a part of Bollywood movies like 'Kya Kool Hain Hum 3', 'Ishq' and 'Deewana', among others.