Shreyas and wife Deepti Talpade took us back in time as they dressed in their traditional finery to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. Deepti, in a gorgeous Paithani nauvari (nine yards) sari and nath (nose ring), and Shreyas, dressed in an ivory kurta, dhoti and uparna, looked picture perfect as they welcomed Lord Ganesha. The couple spoke at length about their faith in him in an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times and photo shoot at the South of Vindhyas, The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai.

Born and raised in Mumbai, the couple looks forward to celebrating the festival each year.

Shreyas explains, “We have grown up in an environment and culture where every year we celebrate this festival with great vigour. Dancing on the streets to bring home Bappa and eating vada pav that’s distributed during the procession, it’s all so special. I have Ganpati in my house for one-and-a-half days since 2007, when we bought our first house. For these two days, I ensure I keep work aside, no matter what. These two days are full of pure devotion, worship and spending time with family and Bappa.” 

Deepti laughs and adds, “And it’s a lot of work for me. I make ukadiche modaks and Shreyas loves eating them.”

Shreyas says, “Ukadiche modak are integral to Ganpati celebration. It’s not that you can’t eat it otherwise, but it tastes different when you eat it during Ganpati. There’s no dieting during these days. We relish the modaks and other sweets.”

The couple’s love for the festival has been passed on to their six-year-old daughter, Aadya. “She has been excited since June to welcome Ganesha. She sings the aarti and knows it by heart. She loves having people over. The visarjan (immersion) part of the festival is something that she is yet to understand and embrace. We all get emotional during that time, but she wonders why we are letting the idol leave our home,” says Deepti.

The couple concluded, Lokmanya Tilak initiated Ganeshotsav to unite people and that’s what it does irrespective of language or religion. “It’s funny when people say they have kept a Ganpati in the house for 3 days or 2.5 days for the first time. It’s usually 1.5,5,7 or 11 days. They don’t know that but the gesture counts. May be they don’t have that information but their willingness to celebrate and worship God is what matters. It brings happiness into their lives. Ganpati bappa Morya!”