The festival of Navratri starts today. It’s time to wear your dancing shoes, step out and do some garba. Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy, who play Gujarati characters in their upcoming film Made In China, have shared their memories of the festival.
Talking about his Navratri memories, Rajkummar said, “I grew up in Gurugram, and over there, Navratri was about pooja-path and fasting and watching Ram Leela being performed by local actors. I used to observe the fast with my mother on all the nine days. I do that even now, though I can’t continue for all the nine days. At that time, I saw garba only in films. During my years in the Film and Television Institute, we used to celebrate all the festivals. I had a Bengali friend with whom I would visit Durga Puja pandals. Now, Patralekhaa and I visit pandals together and offer prayers. We’re regulars at a pandal in Andheri and we’ve also been to Dadar Shivaji Park. I’ve also been to many garba-dandiya pandals, where I’ve always felt high energy among people. The same festival is celebrated differently across India and everything co-exists. That’s the beauty of a country like ours.”
Rajkummar is a fantastic dancer and we have seen that on the big screen. In the film, Made In China also we will get to see him shaking a leg on a couple of songs. Talking about garba, the actor said, “I enjoy dancing and garba is among my favorite dance forms. It’s so synchronized and beautiful to look at. In fact, I love dancing so much that I have danced in random baraats with people I don’t know. Uske baad kai baar jaake shaadiyon mein khaana bhi khaya hai. During my years in Gurugram, I was part of a dance group and have performed Bhangra, Odissi, Haryanvi, and Rajasthani folk dance forms. It’s something that makes me very happy.”
Sharing her memories of Navratri and Pujo festivities, Mouni said, “Navratri is celebrated across the country in different ways. Call her Maa Durga or Ambe, she is the Mother we worship. As children, Durga Puja was very special — pandals, onjoli, dancing, enjoying some amazing food, hanging out with friends and wearing new clothes. When I was studying in Delhi, I would go back home (Kolkata) to be with my parents during the festival. When I came to Mumbai, I was introduced to Navratri celebrations and garba outings. I see the same enthusiasm here, too — dandiya raas, garba, colourful clothes, young and happy faces, and some fabulous music.”
“When my father was alive, I would leave Mumbai and head back home for Pujo, but now, my mother comes over and stays with me. I try and make time for onjolion Maha-Ashtami and the other days, too,” she added.
Rao and Roy play Gujarati characters in Made In China, so when asked Mouni if in the film we get to see them doing garba, the actress said, “I don't know how to do garba all that well. I can manage the steps, but every dance form has its own flair and bounce. I had to work hard to get that right. In the film, we don’t have an outright garba song, but it’s a wonderful dance number.”
Made In China is slated to hit the screens on Diwali this year. The film is produced by Maddock Films in association with Jio Studios and directed by Mikhil Musale. It also stars Boman Irani, Sumeet Vyas, Gajraj Rao, and Paresh Rawal.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is described as the largest human gathering in the world. (Photo: Getty Images)
Thirteen Akharas of ascetics from different sects participated in the bathing ritual, a highlight of the Maha Kumbh Mela held every 12 years. (Photo: Getty Images)
Krishna often depicted with calves and bulls as much as cows! 
