pic Anindya Saha
To model-actor turned producer
Nilanjanaa
, her two daughters Sara S and Zara S, are always the most special human beings on earth. And this emotion shone through when the trio did an exclusive shoot and interaction with
Calcutta Times
. They also spoke to us about their bonding,
Pujo
plans and more. Excerpts:
We are celebrating mother-daughter relationships this Pujo.
pic Anindya Saha
Tell us more about the equation you share.
Nilanjanaa: I lost my mother (
Anjana Bhowmik
) this year, but she continues to live on through my daughters
Sara and Zara
. I think a mother-daughter relationship is eternal.
Sara S: A
mother-daughter bond
is the purest form of love. It’s strong and wise, but also innocent at the same time, and develops much before a child is born, as the mother nurtures the baby in her womb for nine months. Ma doesn’t judge anyone, so our relationship is built on trust and friendship.
Zara S: Ma is my comfort zone and best friend. I can share all my secrets with her. Any memories of Pujo during your childhood?
Nilanjanaa: I grew up in Mumbai, so we didn’t have any holidays during Pujo. Mummy would make me and my sister, Chandana, wear new ethnic clothes and take us for anjali on Ashtami. On one such Ashtami, Chandana got lost in the crowd! We found her after some time and learnt that she had followed the dhaak beats and lost her way. After that incident, mummy used to hold our hands tightly.
Zara S: Mom was obsessed with taking photos during Pujo, but you won’t see me smiling in any of those. I found it too loud; so many people, dhaak playing all around! But I loved having the bubblegum flavoured ice cream mom treated me to. What’s usually on your Pujo menu?
Zara S: Roshogolla! And it must be served cold. Phuchka is also an all-time favourite.
Sara S: It has to be biryani, chicken chaap, and phirni. It’s such a wonderful combo, isn’t it?
Nilanjanaa: I can’t do without phuchka during Pujo. And dinner has to be biryani, chaap, and phirni, along with chilled drinks. And yes, mishti paan after the meal.
<p>In our childhood, mummy made Chandana and me wear matching clothes on Ashtami. I continued that tradition with Sara and Zara. After a point Sara was like, can you please stop doing this?<br>– Nilanjanaa</p>
Nilanjanaa, do you buy the girls new clothes for Pujo?
I’ve grown up with middle-class values and my mother only bought me new clothes thrice a year – for my birthday, on Durga Puja and for Diwali. I also believe it’s alright if you don’t wear new clothes during Pujo; you can repeat outfits. Zara has grown up with Sara’s hand-me-downs and she’s totally okay with it. I think that’s a great habit mummy inculcated in me, and I’ve passed on to my daughters. I’d rather teach them to buy new clothes for less privileged children and give them a reason to smile.
Nilanjanaa, how difficult is to bring up two daughters at a time when women’s safety is a big issue?
I truly believe that no girl child should have to fight for equality, which should be the same for all human beings. Every human being should feel secure, safe and should have the freedom to speak their mind without being judged. And that’s the belief system I’ve raised my children on. Even if I had two boys, I’d have raised them the same way. Let the world judge you, but that should not change your standpoint. I feel safety of every human being is important.
‘Finesse & poise are important to go through life’
Shakti gives one the strength to live up to one’s beliefs and stand by them against all odds, believes Nilanjanaa. “I’ve grown up seeing my mother do the same, and that’s what Shakti means to me.” Sara equates Shakti with resilience. “It is the ability to overcome problems, sail through life, and put one’s best foot forward, always. I’ve seen my mother and sister go through circumstances with so much grace. I’m proud of them as finesse and poise matter a lot to me.” Zara, on the other hand, believes Shakti is the power that pushes one to do something that people think one can’t.
pic Anindya Saha
I love the happy faces all around during Pujo. The city looks so good at this time of the year. There’s also so much positivity in the air – Zara S
My favourite Durga Puja memory is that of me doing dhunuchi naach. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I just grooved to the dhaak beats – Sara S