Isha Koppikar is soaking in the festive fervour on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. It’s not just about rituals or nostalgia—it’s about passing it all on to her daughter, Rianna now, who she has been staying with.About her daughter, she shares, “She’s getting there and it’s the most adorable thing to watch! Rianna is at that age where she’s curious about everything and she asks so many questions. Why are we putting up the Gudi? What does it mean? Why are you wearing that saree, Mumma? And I love that. I answer every single question because I want her to understand the why behind everything we do. It’s not just about doing things mechanically, it’s about feeling connected to it. She absolutely loves the food, that much I can tell you for sure! But beyond the food and the fun, I am very intentional about making sure she knows her heritage and that it is something to be deeply proud of. Culture is identity and I want her roots to be as strong as I hope she will be.”It’s a sentiment that clearly comes from her own upbringing—one that she now finds herself recreating. “Oh, the memories are so vivid, even now! Gudi Padwa at home was such a big deal when I was growing up. I remember waking up early in the morning to the smell of fresh flowers. My brother and I would help my parents clean the house spotless, everyone would be dressed in new clothes, and there was just this beautiful energy in the air. My grandma would feed us kadu limbu leaves with sugar and kesar bhaat which signifies that life is full of bitter, as well as sweet experiences and one must face them with equal zest and composure. We’d then put up the Gudi outside our window and there was something so proud about that, you know? Like we were announcing to the world, we’re here, we’re celebrating, life is good. Those mornings had a magic to them that I still carry with me, and wish to impart and instill in my daughter Rianna.”
This year, the celebrations are extra special, doubling up as a family milestone. “According to the Hindu calendar, my parents’ wedding anniversary falls on Gudi Padwa. So every year, it is a joint celebration. It is the Maharashtrian New Year and I as a Konkani, we celebrate it the same way as Maharashtrians do. This year will be no different, but at my Mother’s home. I’ve taken over the arrangements and have been planning the menu already. Puran poli and shrikhand are non-negotiable. The Gudi is going up first thing in the morning and we’re all going to be dressed in traditional outfits because why not? I love any excuse to wear a beautiful saree honestly. It’s going to be a family day, a grounded day, and I’m really looking forward to it. Sometimes the most special celebrations are the quiet ones, just you, your people, your traditions, and a lot of good food.” Ask her what the festival truly means to her now, and the answer ties it all together. “To me, Gudi Padwa is so much more than just a festival on the calendar. It’s a feeling of renewal, of gratitude, of coming back to your roots. There’s something deeply grounding about a day that essentially means this is a fresh start, go make it count. I think in the chaos of everyday life, we all need those anchors. Festivals like Gudi Padwa are exactly that. They remind you where you come from, what you stand for, and what you’re celebrating. For me, it’s always been about that deep sense of belonging, to my culture, to my family, and to myself.”
