TV host Shilpa Chakraborty: I’m missing mom-made delicacies, long adda sessions and dancing to all those Bengali songs today

Telugu television Shilpa Chakraborty has won a million hearts with her anchoring stint over the years but she is still a Bengali at heart. On the occasion of the Bengali New Year (April 14), we got Shilpa to talk about her celebrations and everything that she is missing today due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.

Though we are settled in Hyderabad from over three decades now, I do have over 40 cousins and most of my family members in Malancha, near Kolkata.

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This New Year, amid lockdown, we are not up for a huge celebration or something. In fact, there is a lot of cleaning and dishes to do. Sometimes, I do wonder are we eating too much (laughs).

Otherwise, I’ve just prepared breakfast and will probably make a few Bengali delicacies. We Bengalis are foodies and can never say ‘NO’ to delicacies any day.

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I have contrasting conditions and contradictory tastes around me. While Kalyan (husband) is a hardcore Telugite who prefers things on the spicier side, I’m someone completely opposite. My kids are sometimes confused which one to follow (laughs). I think all the hybrid marriages can relate to this. But, we keep the tradition of respecting each other’s culture and tastes alive.

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In fact, I’m missing a lot of things today. The porridge made by mom and other favourite delicacies like Puli Pitey, Sondesh, Gurer Payesh, Lobongo Latikaa, Shor Bhaaja, Mishti Bondey, Dorbesh and fish is a must today.

Besides food, I’m missing the long adda sessions with cousins and family, the Bengali songs we play and above all, being a dancer, I miss dancing our hearts out to those Bengali songs.

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We are planning a virtual adda session this evening. We will connect with our family over a video call sometime. But I sometimes wonder how times have drastically changed and we are slowly going virtual in every which way.

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It is indeed tough to keep oneself sane in tough times like these. The more you read or learn about everything happening around, the more scared or stressed you can get. You can’t be ignorant or ill-informed either. So, it is really important to have a routine and stay engaged throughout the day. I’m keeping myself busy with some or the other work. Of course, I’m very tired, too.

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I don’t hesitate to support this lockdown extension. It is working and there’s still more to do. When things get better, I only wish a section of the working population gets some relaxation. Let us hope for the best.

“Shubho noboborsho to all my bongo bondusss ...it's bengali New year today n I miss all d fun with my swag bong frnds ...I miss u all rey..... let us get rid of dis corona ...AAR KORONAA TUMI KICHU....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH (sic),” reads her post on Instagram.

(Photo: Instagram)