Mitaali Nag: While growing up, our celebration used to be a unique mix of both Pongal and Makar Sankranti

Mitaali Nag is all set to celebrate Pongal tomorrow (January 14). For those not in the know, Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Hindus, especially Tamilians. The Aashiqana 2 actor shares her plans.

“I am a Tamilian from my maternal side. So I have grown up celebrating Pongal as it falls on the same day as Makar Sankranti. But having lived in Maharashtra and having Marathi friends and neighbours, Makar Sankranti automatically became a part of our lives too. So our celebration was a unique one which had a mix of both the festivals. It was always about cooking the Pongal under the sun on a Chulha and then doing the Puja but also holding the maanjha reels for our older brothers and uncles when they were flying their kites. It was always about getting ready in traditional South Indian attire, but also going to our neighbours house to get til gur,” she smiles.

The actor also talks about this particular trip on the occasion that was really special. “After coming to Mumbai and staying in shared accommodation, we made a trip to Rajkot to one of our roommate’s houses for Uttarayan. I did not know it was so big till I witnessed one. I had great fun,” she says.

About how she is planning to celebrate the festival this year, Mitaali adds, “I am gonna do something similar this year. Rudransh is big enuf to fly kites. I will be doing the Pongal Puja at home and take him to his friend’s house where there will be flying kites. I am not much of a kite flying person but I will surely enjoy holding the maanjha reel for Rudransh and my husband.”

So what’s your favourite sweets/food during Makar Sankranti or Pongal? “Though til laddoos or til chikkis are the sweets which are traditionally cooked on Makar Sankranti, but I love Puran Poli which is also a part of the Sankranti lunch, and the Katachi Amti,” she adds.