This Dusshera, TV actors share their memories of Dusshera and what it means to have good winning over evil.
Here’s what they said:
Aniruddh Dave: In Jaipur, Dusshera is big and people dress up in new clothes. I have been theatre actor so Ramleela has always intrigued me as an actor. Dusshera is not just a festival it reflects the philosophy of life.
Saurabh Pandey: I always pray for being humble and always remember that we all rise from the soil and go back to the soil. There is no one bigger or smaller. I always pray to God to give me wisdom that I keep my ego at bay. Also with the story of Ravan, we all learn that no matter how rich or good you are, if you allow your ego to take over you then you are as good as dead. My fondest memory of Dusshera is when I was 6 years and we were invited to the big Raamleela ground in Naraina, Delhi to attend the Dussehra Celebration where the last chapter of Ravan dying is enacted and followed by the climax i.e burning of all 3 big 120 feet dummy of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath set to fire with loud crackers and cheer of slogan "Jai Shree Ram".
Shashank Vyas: Ujjain is a colourful city in terms of festivals. Ramleela happens a lot in Ujjain and I have seen it a couple of times. The feeling of victory of good over evil is the essence of life which one is reminded of every Dusshera.
Sneha Wagh: Dusshera in childhood was going to meet friends and family with bauhinia leaves (aptyache paan). Being a typical Marathi family, this would happen every year. There's not one evil that should be removed. There are many to name. But the biggest is inequality in every term should be eradicated along with intolerance.
Ssharad Malhotra: Dussehra means festivities and celebrations, the weather is also pleasant. The best memory of the day is when I played Ram in school and I got a standing applaud for my performance. I feel nostalgic when I think about it.
Vahbiz Dorabjee: Dusshera symbolises the conquest of good over evil. It's so good to have a family together on this auspicious day. Any Dusshera celebration is incomplete without a visit to a mela. You not only find desi versions of fun rides like the Ferris Wheel and the Merry-Go-Round but loads of street food and mithai in every nook and corner of the ground.
Vivian Dsena: Dussehra reminds that good always wins over evil. I believe in the power of positive living and positive thinking. As a child, I used to go to watch Ramlila with my parents. A ritual that I follow is that we bring fafda jalebi every Dussehra and worship Goddess Durga.
Shivin Narang: In Delhi, I used to get pocket money to buy crackers. I used to go in the truck with other children to a big ground and enjoy Ramleela especially burning the Ravan Putla. With my neighbour kids, we used to make Chota Ravan using paper and scrap material. In Delhi, we used to eat sweets too and Dusshera used to be fantastic as after Navratri fasting one can eat everything. I used to go to the temple too. Parents used to buy new clothes.
