New Delhi: Makar Sankranti is celebrated with various traditions and it has special significance for actress Brinda Dahal, daughter of Chhathi Maiya. Growing up in Nepal, Brinda’s Makar Sankranti celebrations were different, marked by unique customs that have now been enriched by her experiences on the sets of the Sun Neo show.
Reflecting on how the festival is celebrated in Nepal, Brinda shared, “Since I am from Nepal, we celebrate Makar Sankranti a little differently. It is not a very elaborate celebration, but we make chikki, laddu and eat dahi chuda, jaggery chuda and other dishes. There is an interesting tradition for children also. They block the road with ropes and stop passers-by and ask for money. They place a small idol of Lord Shiva and Parvati on the shore and praise them like ‘Shiv Parvati ki Jai’. “They won’t let anyone go unless they pay some money.”
However, during her time on the sets of Chhathi Maiya Ki Bitiya, Brinda experienced a whole new side of Makar Sankranti. “In fact, it was the first time for me to fly a kite, which I did on the sets of Chhathi Maiya Ki Bitiya for Sun Neo. It was a very fun experience! I enjoyed it a lot, especially when everyone taught me how to fly kites. Although my hands hurt a bit during the process, it was worth it. In the show, we also made offerings to God and served food to Brahmins, which made me learn about customs that we don’t usually follow in Nepal. I also learned how this festival has different names and is celebrated in different unique ways in different regions.”
Brinda coined the popular phrase “Kai po che!” Also shared his excitement about. Used while flying kites. “During the shoot, my co-star kept shouting “Kai Po Che” and I got curious and asked what it meant. Then I came to know that it means someone’s kite has been cut. These were all new things that I learned about the festival and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Brinda Dahal plays the role of Vaishnavi in Chhathi Maiya Ki Bitiya, the show airs at 7 pm on Sun Neo. It tells the heart-touching story of an orphan Vaishnavi, who finds solace in her unwavering faith in Chhathi Maiya, the mother figure in her life. The show also stars Sneha Wagh, Sara Khan, Jaya Bhattacharya, Ashish Dixit and others.
