And, that day of the year is back again when the evergreen song from the Sandalwood classic Kulavadhu released in 1963. It was penned by Jnanapith awardee Da Ra Bendre and is most played across TV and radio music channels . Uga uga kaledaru, Ugadi malari barutide...
Ugadi, marks the first day of the year for Kannadigas, and others in South India and the first day of the bright month of Chaitra. The festival has its own specialities, and rituals that welcome the New Year with new hope and spreading joy. Also, seeking the strength to withstand both joy and sorrow equally while savouring the mix of ‘bevu and bella.’
Unlike most working people, Sandalwood personalities prefer to work on the festive occasion — starting new projects for a greater success. Bengaluru Chronicle talks to Sandalwood actors who are working today.
The stars admit that they miss their family when they have to travel on such occasions. Actress Vedhika, who made a great comeback with Shivalinga in 2016 in Kannada shares that this year she will be celebrating Ugadi with her family.
Vedhika
However, for Harshika Poonacha, who is making her Tamil debut, this year’s Ugadi will be a full day at work, shooting in Cochin. “I prefer to work on festivals. I actually feel blessed to do so. When most express unhappiness for not having work, I would rather stay busy on such days. For me, work is celebration. Moreover, it not only makes me happy but the entire staff gets additional pay, which makes them happy,” says Harshika.
Even Kavya Shetty, the Mangaluru beauty shares the same feeling. “We Mangalureans have very few festivals. Irrespective of it, I always love to work on any given day. It keeps me happy. I’d rather go to work than sit at home and eat on festival day,” she quips.
Kavya Shetty
Meghana Raj will be attending a function where she is being felicitated but when she has to work on festival days, she is very happy to do so. “I only feel bad about not being able to spend time with my family,” she mulls.
Meghana Raj
Lucia actress, Sruthi Hariharan, sums up the festive fervour best by concluding, “I love it. For me, my work is a celebration.” Happy Ugadi to everyone, including to those who are working away from home on this auspicious festival.
