Every
year with the advent of autumn, the air is filled with a peculiar joy. It
vibrates the arrival of Goddess Durga with the onset of Mahalaya and its time
to go in a frenzy mode with Dandiya Raas and Garbas of Navratri everywhere
around. The Hindu festival of nine nights dedicated to the glorification of
Shakti, the feminine form of the Divine, is celebration time not only for Guajarati’s
but is an ensemble of all religions these days. It’s a time to wear colorful
costumes and perform a special type of vigorous dance known as garba and or
dandiyas.
Come
the sixth day of the Navratri and its Durga puja time for all the hardcore
Bongs (read Bengalis) who have waited eagerly for the arrival of Maa Durga with
her full family regalia. The joy is not only contagious but can be seen
everywhere - right from buying of new clothes, shoes, jewelleries and anything
and everything that can make one bright and colourful. Even the darkest corners
of the city get lightened up at least for these few days before culminating on
the 10th day with the festivities of Vijaya Dashami or Dusshera.
While
these 10 days are obviously about prayers, rituals, worshipping Maa Durga,
playing dandia raas, indulging in festivities and regaling old ties; it is also
about celebrating the joy and happiness. As the Navratri and Pujo fever that gripped
the Nation comes to an end with Dussehra, one question we couldn’t help but ask
“What does Dussehra mean to you?” to some of our celebs and how do they
celebrate it.
Well
known actor Arfi Lamba who was seen in varied roles from Slumdog Millionaire to
Singh is Bling and Fugly says, “Well I have an audition and a look test lined
up. Despite really wanting a holiday, it will be a working day for me. I wish
everyone that they are able to look within themselves and fight their own
demons so as to create a better and happier version of themselves.”
Zee
TV’s famous show “Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega” actor Nishant Singh feels, “Dussehra, apart from being a cultural
festival which preaches the victory of good over evil, is also a great way for
every section of the society to come together and be part of something. It's a
sense of belonging and happiness for the society as a whole. The smile it
brings on the faces of children when they are the effigy of Ravana being burst
into flames is priceless. The whole family gets an occasion to shop and
decorate their life. The best part is getting that much needed break from the
monotony of everyday life and in my case, the shoots.”
Actor
Vikrant Krishna whose short film “The Third Human” has won multiple awards at
film festivals says that you need to focus on your goals rather on your
problems. He adds, “If Lord Rama would had focused only on the 10 heads of
Ravana, he would never have succeeded. So Instead of focusing on his multiple
heads, Lord Rama simply focussed on the root cause of the problem and aimed at the
Naval of Ravana and succeeded in bringing him dow. So this Dussehra instead of
focusing on the Problems of life, let's find out that what went wrong and let's
make correct efforts to make our life beautiful and our environment peaceful.”
Yeh
Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor Amal Sehrawat says that he is celebrating Dusshera
by killing all the negative traits in him. He adds, “I request all to see people
as human beings first and not biased on the basis of religion, sex or any other
discrimination. It’s time to burn the Ravana inside you! Only then will you be
able to celebrate the victory of good over evil, instead of burning the effigy
of Ravana.” Amal was also seen in Ram Gopal Verma's 'Sarkar 3' and in Vikram Bhatt's webseries 'Untouchables'.
Twice
Critics award winner for his performance in the short films ‘Kaise?’ which
touches the context of #MeToo movement as well as for his performance in ‘Shaque-Off’,
Ajay Mahendru says that Dussehra is the festival of celebrating victory over
devil. “This is the festival to be celebrated by everyone. We must fight whole
year with evil habits, evil power and all adversities and celebrate its victory
on Dussehra. If we try to kill all evil things from our life, our future and
this world would be a place to live happy and peacefully.”
Ajay
who is now in his hometown Delhi is basking in the glory of the awards which he recently got
at the Kalasamruddhi International Short Film Festival in Mumbai at the start
of this month. He is taking a short break with his family after doing back to back ads, short
films and TVCs before starting his next project in Leh which he is tight lipped about. Ajay who was also seen in the award winning feature film “Tikli
& Laxmi Bomb” that was released on Netflix adds, “As you try to carve your
niche in the glamour and film industry, mostly many cannot make it possible to
celebrate it with their families and friends, especially if you happen to have
shifted from another city. Since last few months, I haven't been able to meet
my family and friends to celebrate the festivals with them. Though this does
bring in a bit of dissent, but when your work is appreciated and you are lauded
for your efforts, it does motivate you that you can conquer anything if you are
fully focused and concentrated. So, be focussed like Lord Ram and you can
conquer anything that you set your focus on.
Actress
Chitrangda Singh who also voiced her opinions in #metoo about the harassment
meted out on the sets of 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz' was at the Durga Bari Samiti
puja where she offered a tray containing a beautiful traditional saree and
flowers to the Devi and joined in the Sandhya Puja on Ashtami. Voicing her
quote on devi visarjan and dussehra celebrations, she said: “I am happy to
visit the Durga Bari Samiti. It is the oldest celebration of this festival in Mumbai,
and I am delighted with the fact that the organisation has kept it eco-friendly.
We have seen the immense damage after visarjan to our environment and it is
wonderful if we can celebrate with care and concern for our surroundings."
Actors
Neel Motvani & Vindya Tiwari who are about to tie the knot soon were
pretty enthusiastic about this festive occasion. Here is what the couple had to
say: “We’d
like to wish a very happy and prosperous Dussehra to everyone who has supported
and stood by us. This will be our first Dussehra together. This day marks the
victory of the good over evil. We see Dussehra as a new beginning and we’ll be
doing just that. We’re seeing this day as a positive beginning for the both of
us and our journey together. It marks the start of the festive season and we’re
looking forward to a lot of celebrations together."
Model
cum Actor Abhilasha Gaira who just finished her latest film Dastak says it all:
“Usually we celebrate this festival with our families as we all family members
get together to celebrate this pooja and positivity. But practically nowadays
when maximum people are far away from their homes and fail to reach their
families, social media has taken over to wish each other to celebrate and too
see each other’s happenings.”
Eminent
Fashion Designer Mumtaz Khan says, “I have known Dussehra for its ethical
reasons - the win over evil and light conquers the darkness. It's a time for
celebration, a time for victory of good over bad, a time when world see the
example of power of good. Let us continue the same “true” spirit. Let us not
only burn effigies of Ravana and pollute the already venomous environ, but let’s
start a great life by conquering all our eternal enemies. Happy Dusshera..!”
Roadies 9 winner and Actor
Model Vikas Singh Khokher who has started shoot for his new film “Satrangi”
under the banner of Raj Verma Productions removed time from his hectic schedule
to wish everyone love and peace on the occasion. "Happy Dusshera to All. Let Love, Peace, Happiness & Harmony always be in your life." He also added to “Choose good
over evil. Let your ego, cruelty, lust, greed, anger, jealousy, injustice,
selfishness, conceit and attachment are all vanquished by Durga Shakti."
Actor
Krishan Khatra ringed in Dussehra on social media as well, “Get rid of the
evils to make way for good energy & positivity. Wishing everyone #HappyDussehra.
Fill yourself with so much light, that even all that is broken within you glows.”
Yes,
while the most eagerly awaited fiesta is nearing its end with #VijayaDashami,
one thing that wouldn’t change over the years is your eyes getting moist with
the chants of “Aaschhe bochhor, abar hobe! (Next year, once again)” as you wrap
nostalgia around your heart and partake in Maa Durga's visarjan. But it’s also
time for celebrations, gorging on mishtis and as well, wishing all near and
dear ones a #ShubhoBijoya.
