Gudi Padwa: Mumbai city has gifted me with a profession that I have always dreamt of, says Kaveri Priyam

Hi Kaveri ! To start with, what does the festival ‘Gudi Padwa’ mean to you?
Gudi Padwa marks the start of a New Year. Hence, the year also means beginning of something new and auspicious. I look forward to reaching early on the set and working, as I manifest to work even more and more work throughout the coming years.

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Do you celebrate Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi ?
Yes, but in North , we celebrate this day as ‘Chaitra Navratri’. We celebrate the festival with our near and dear ones in the family. But, I celebrate the festival with great pomp since I am a Mumbaikar at heart and Gudi Padwa is one of the important festivals celebrated here! So yes, Gudi Padwa is also one of the festivals that I celebrate.

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Can you tell us the significance of Gudi Padwa in your life?
Like I said, it marks the beginning of something new in our lives. Perhaps, we look forward to doing good and auspicious things on the day of ‘Gudi Padwa’. And since I am from north, people do pooja and all the other rituals on this very day.

What are your fond memories related to the festival?
My fond memories include celebrating it with my friends and family whenever they are in Mumbai. Since I am staying in Mumbai since a very long time, I am a Mumbaikar at heart and Gudi Padwa is also one of the festivals I celebrate with equal enthusiasm… just like Navratri and other like festivals.

Since ‘Gudi Padwa’ is an extremely traditional day, can we see you wearing the traditional nauvari saree and other accessories like jewellery?
I simply love wearing nauvari sarees, but unfortunately, due to my show's hectic schedule; I'll not get a chance to celebrate it per se. But yes, if given a chance, I would be more than happy to wear it and place a ‘Gudi’ in my Mumbai house also!

Has anyone gifted you anything on Gudi Padwa? If yes, then what?
Yes, the city has gifted me with a profession that I have always dreamt of and it has also gifted me with people who have guided me and have stayed by me through my thick and thin. What else could I have asked for?

Have you gifted anything to anyone on the occasion of ‘Gudi Padwa’? If yes, then what?
What will be a greater gift than celebrating it with my extended family in Mumbai! I will be visiting all my friends who are like my family here in the city.

What will you be doing today (the day of Gudi Padwa)?
I am planning to meeting my friends and celebrating the festival together. Since I am a true-blue Mumbaikar at heart, I love celebrating the festival with friends and family.

What special food will you be making for the occasion?
Actually… I don't cook, but I have my friends who are Maharashtrians and they feed me with the most delicious puran poli. Hence, I love eating puran poli. Not only on Gudi Padwa, but, I love binge eating puran poli on all the days of the year.

What do you do if you are away from your home during the festival?
Nowadays, the technology is so strong that I stay connected with my parents. They send me whatever delicacies they prepare. Yesterday only, they sent me my favourite delicacies mathri, pedakiya etc. Since my mother is not present here, she makes sure that I don't miss our house much and so that we can concentrate on our work fully.

If you had to make a wish on Gudi Padwa for you or anyone in your life, what would that be and for who would you wish for?
I would want to wish for the entire world. Not just me, but every household should have their near and dear ones with whom they can celebrate. I know, we all are dealing with something or the other in our lives. That’s why I pray that may all of us become more empathetic and may we get strength to face all the situations in our lives.