Actress Moon Banerrjee, who has been part of successful shows like Chashme Baddoor, Abhimaan, Ghar Ek Mandir, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Muskaan, Sasural Simar Ka 2, and Doree is a true Bengali at heart.
On the occasion of Bengali New Year, known as Poila Baisakh, Moon shares her plans and memories with our readers. She says, ”I will start my day by savouring Bengali breakfast – Luchi and Aloo Torkari with some sweets and Mishti Doi. All Bengalis will relate to these food items.”
“We have been following one particular ritual – wearing new clothes – on Bengali New Year. My mother would make sure that my brother and I wear new clothes on this day. It doesn’t have to be fancy but it has to be new. I follow that by doing the same now. I make my son wear new clothes on this day,” she adds.
Sharing her memories of this day when she used to stay in Kolkata Moon says, ”As a kid, we were in our Kolkata home. It would be during a year-end school break, so kids would make Alpona (traditional Bengali folk art) along with elders and enjoy authentic Bangla breakfast followed by sumptuous lunch like Maacher Kalia, Basanti Pulao, Shukto etc.”
So do you miss your hometown, especially during important days like this? “Yes, of course! My entire khandaan is in Kolkata, so we do miss being around them during this time of the year. But we try and do things here. It’s definitely not the same but we do try and follow the rituals and probably step out for a nice authentic Bengali lunch in Mumbai. I also believe in rituals and customs followed, and they come from the heart. I am a person who believes in it because one should not forget her roots.”
