The best way to celebrate festivals is by sharing, and I have
always felt happy in celebrating with the senior citizens at the old age homes.
Many seniors from various parts of Goa also come to celebrate with us. We have
our ancestral home celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi but I prefer going to the old
age homes; it simply feels good to be among them and share the festive mood of
the season.
Rajendra Talak, Chairman of ESG and film director
Ganesh Chaturthi is an opportunity to celebrate with
everyone. It is an old family tradition that every year, the Sardesais around
the world gather at the Savoi Verem house with nearly 60 rooms. This is our
home for festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. As much as I like this festival, I
also like all the other religions’ festivities.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, I am releasing a song called ‘Jai
Ganesha’, it has been written by me and I’ve also done the video. Apart from
this, I’ll also be visiting a lot of my friends.
Hema Sardesai, Indian playback singer
and lyricist
We get to our uncles place
two days before the festival to help in
the decoration and sweets preparation.
The festival is really
close to me since childhood because of unique preparations in every house,
every year. Though we don’t bring the Ganesha idol at home, it’s more fun in
celebrating at different people’s houses and seeing new things. I also find the
different durations that it is celebrated interesting. If today it’s for two
days at my uncle’s then it’s for five days elsewhere… it goes on forever, and
I’m sure we would have wished that every day was like a festival to celebrate.
Samiksha Desai, Actress (Enemy, Home
Sweet Home 2)
We are five brothers and we live separately
but this is a chance for us to get together. We’ll be gathering at our
ancestral home at Carambolim, where my youngest brother lives. This time, we
will be celebrating Ganesh for two days.
Artistes during festivals
like these usually have performances and shows on that very day, resulting in
missing a family function or festival. I’m glad that this year I can be with my
family as last year I had gone to perform in Kuwait. This year, we are also
avoiding a lot of fire crackers and things that will damage the environment; I
have learnt a lot of things from the movie I acted in – ‘Amori’. Wishing all a
happy, safe and environmental friendly Ganesh Chaturthi!
Pradeep Naik, tiatrist and actor
