Rupali Ganguly Balances Work and Tradition on Poila Boishakh
Renowned actress Rupali Ganguly, celebrated for her role in Anupamaa, has unveiled her heartfelt plans for Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year. In an exclusive chat, she expressed how she intertwines her professional commitments with deep-rooted cultural practices, viewing work as a form of worship on this auspicious day.
A Day of Devotion and Dedication
Rupali Ganguly begins her Noboborsho with a morning puja, seeking divine blessings before heading to the film sets for a full day of shooting. She emphasized, "Work is worship, and I feel blessed to be working on Poila Boishakh. It's Maa's blessing that she has given me work that requires me on an everyday basis." After her puja, she plans to seek blessings from elders, believing it brings both spiritual favor and good fortune for starting work on the New Year. "Aashirwaad bhi mil jayega, shagun bhi ho jayega—ki maine New Year ke din kaam kiya. Yeh bahut badi baat hai," she added, highlighting the significance of labor on this festive occasion.
Cherished Childhood Memories and Rituals
Reflecting on her youth, Rupali fondly recalls early morning awakenings for puja and the joy of playing the shankh (conch shell). "I love playing the shankh in the morning," she shared, noting the excitement of wearing new clothes, a tradition she upholds today. Ideally, she prefers donning garad sari or laal paar sari, though time constraints sometimes limit this. As a married Bengali woman, she also adorns shakha pola (bangles) and sindoor (vermilion) as essential symbols. "Zindagi ki bhaag daud mein kaafi kuch peeche chhoot jaata hai, par koshish karti hoon ki jitna ho sake unhe sambhal ke rakhu, apne bachpan se baandh ke rakhu," she expressed, striving to preserve these customs amidst life's hustle.
Culinary Delights and Dietary Adjustments
For Rupali, indulging in authentic Bengali cuisine is non-negotiable during Poila Boishakh. She recently craved and ordered shukto and aloo posto from a favorite restaurant, also expressing love for panta bhaat. "That Bengaliness is always alive in me. You can take a Bengali out of Bengal, but you can't take Bengal out of a Bengali," she laughed. However, due to current dietary precautions, she admits that feasting extensively as in earlier years is no longer feasible, showcasing a mindful approach to health.
Nostalgia for Family Gatherings and Alpona
Rupali misses the vibrant Noboborsho get-togethers of her childhood, where family friends gathered for hoichoi (fun and revelry) and delicious food. She reminisced about watching her mother wear garad sari and create alpona (rice flour rangoli), a practice she now seldom does. "Earlier, people would create alpona outside their homes using rice flour, which would later serve as food for birds and insects," she explained. While she avoids alpona at her building due to cleanup concerns, she still puts rice flour outside for birds and ants, honoring the tradition's ecological spirit.
Through her words, Rupali Ganguly paints a vivid picture of Poila Boishakh, blending modern work ethics with timeless Bengali heritage, inspiring many to cherish their roots while embracing present responsibilities.
