MUMBAI: Two things make every festival memorable - food and celebrating it with your loved ones. However, much has changed now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As we gear up to usher in 2021’s first festival - Uttarayan/ Makar Sankranti with just close family in attendance and new safety guidelines in place, these TV celebs share their fondest kite flying memories and how they plan to celebrate it this year.

Vivian Dsena shared, "I simply love flying kites and whenever possible, I ensure to travel to Ujjain during Uttarayan. As a kid, even when I got a kite from a shop, I would colour it and decorate it, and my kites would always look unique. Also, the joy of cutting others' kites is a different rush and I’ve mastered that skill over the years. Uttarayan is incomplete without til laddoos, chikki, dal fafda and aloo vadas. This year, I am having an intimate celebration.". He further added, "I would travel to Ujjain every year to celebrate Uttarayan.". 

Expressing regret for missing out the festive's celebrations with friends this year in Vadodara, actress Shrenu Parikh said, "I am in Mumbai and due to the pandemic, I have no Uttarayan plans this year. I remember how I would take chhutti and come to Vadodara to celebrate Uttarayan with my visiting NRI friends. I used to spend the entire day at the terrace and in the evening, I loved the undhiyu parties. Uttarayan is also about falling and then flying again. I look forward to flying high both professionally and personally in 2021!".

Actor Karan Patel revealed, "This Uttarayan will be special my daughter Mehr will be a part of the celebrations.". He further said, "Being a Gujarati, Makar Sankranti has always been very special to me as I thoroughly enjoy flying kites and gorging on the traditional til laddoos and other sweets. There are many Uttarayan memories which I still cherish, especially the way my cousins would help each other to get the kites ready a night before, cutting each other’s kite and revelling in its glory and the delicious spread. However, this year it will be extra special as my daughter Mehr is also going to be a part of all the fun and happiness.".

"My fondest memory has to be the one when all my cousins, aunts and uncle would gather at my naani’s home in Vadodara. The celebrations would start a week before. Although every year, I try and up my kite flying skills, I still enjoy every bit of it. We would play music, dance and gorge on the sumptuous traditional delicacies. I’m not travelling anywhere this year as I’m shooting for my show Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein and we are planning to have a small celebration on the sets.", insighted actor Neil Bhatt, further adding that, "Every year, I ensure I master my kite flying skills.".

Also Read: Shilpa Raizada on Naira's track ending in YRKKH: A lot of changes will take place in the story

Telly fame Meera Deosthale said, "I will be making a kite by myself this year. Uttarayan is one of my favourite festivals. This year, I won't be able to travel home, so I am planning to make a kite by myself and will take it to the nearby park and fly it. I also enjoy relishing tilgul, chikkis and til laddoos. Due to the pandemic, the gatherings will be smaller but we will enjoy the festival in the true spirit of joy and happiness.".

"My fondest memories were getting up early, my mom and naani would prepare sweets like jalebis, gajjar ka halwa and we would get samosas and would relish it all with everyone. In the evening everyone in our building would get together and would have a pot-luck party, and we would put on music, dance and have a gala time. My brother used to fly the kite and I would be holding the phirkee. This year I’m busy shooting and hope to have fun on the sets with my co-stars.", expressed actress Nidhi Shah by further revealing that, "After kite-flying, pot-luck parties used to be the best part of the celebrations.".

"Will be helping my wife to make a traditional spread.", revealed actor Vijayendra Kumeria as he further added, "Uttarayan is all about good food, family time and flying kites and these three aspects have been a major part of Uttarayan celebrations over the years. This year as large gatherings is not allowed I will be flying kites with my family on our terrace. Sankranti food is an important part of the celebrations, so apart from the traditional chikkis and til laddoos, my wife and I will also be making jalebis, undhiyu and dhokla at home.

Lastly, actress Sucheeta Trivedi expressed, "As a Gujarati, I enjoy celebrating Uttarayan as much as I enjoy every other festival. Traditionally every year as a ritual we make chikkis from different ingredients, like murmura chikki, singada chikki, til chikki, etc. This year, I’m going to continue with the tradition and will be on my terrace, fly a kite and have a simple celebration with my family.". She further said, "Will be on my terrace flying kites and gorging on a variety of chikkis.". 

Also Read: MTV to bring a new model-based reality show titled ‘Forbidden Angel’

Credit: Bombay Times