Lohri has a special place in singer Harshdeep Kaur’s heart. Two decades ago, her first film song had released just a couple of days before the festival, which was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. 

Harshdeep recalls, “I remember I had gone with my dad to a local music shop to buy the cassette of Anubhav Sinha’s film Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai. The music was composed by Nikhil-Vinay. Unn dino cassettes aatein thhe. We bought it aur jaldi se maine apna naam check kiya. It was so good to see my name on the cover along with so many other big artistes like Jagjit Singh ji, Asha Bhosle ji, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Alka Yagnik ji and Udit Narayan ji. To see my name there with these greats was priceless. I had one solo track, Sajna Main Haari, in the album.”

Harshdeep has since lent her voice to chartbusters like Ek Onkar (Rang De Basanti), Heer (Jab Tak Hai Jaan), Katiya Karun (Rockstar), Nachde Ne Saare (Baar Baar Dekho), Zaalima (Raees) Twist Kamariya (Bareilly Ki Barfi) and Dilbaro (Raazi), among others.

Born and brought up in Delhi, Harshdeep has a lot of fun memories attached to the celebrations there. “Lohri is associated with a lot of bachpan ki yaadein for me. Lakdiyan ikkatha karke usko jalate thhe, popcorn aur moongfali (groundnut/peanuts) usme dalna aur revdi khate thhe,” she says, adding, “Lohri is a happy festival. Since it used to be really cold there, bonfire ka mazaa hi kuch aur hota tha. Our cousins and neighbours would gather around it. Hum mummy ke haath ka khana khaatein thhe.”

The singer moved to Mumbai with her family around 18 years ago to pursue her career. They continued to celebrate the festival in the city with as much enthusiasm. “Lohri bahut hi pyaara festival hai. It’s all about fun, dance, music and new beginnings. It is a very auspicious festival aur hum isse dhoom dham se manatein hain. It’s always been about the family getting together. Last year’s celebration was special because it was my son Hunar’s first Lohri and my husband Mankeet went crazy trying to make it special.”

While Lohri celebrations in the North are on a bigger scale, Harshdeep says that her family has not let go of any tradition or festivities associated with this festival even though they live in Mumbai. She says, “Last year, we went to the terrace of our building aur wahin pe gadde bichaake, music lagke, we put together a small bonfire. All of us, including my parents, sister, nephew, parents-in-law and friends, were dressed in traditional clothes. We danced to traditional songs and had a festive barbecue dinner.”

Talking about the festivities, Harshdeep shares, “We sing and dance to traditional songs like Sunder Munderiye. It is great to see that even my son knows this one. We also play many of Gurdas Maan and Surinder Kaur’s Lohri songs. Traditionally, we are used to having makki ki roti and sarson ka saag, makkhan or white butter on saag and gur. For desserts, jalebi-rabdi is a favourite. Lohri marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring and harvest season. It symbolizes the future and growth.”

Harshdeep Kaur welcomed her son, Hunar, on March 3. While it’s just been three months since she embraced motherhood, the singer has already learnt to strike a balance between her personal and professional life. “Earlier, I used to just do my riyaaz and recordings at home, but now, I sing to him (Hunar) all the time. That way, I’m composing new songs and lullabies. Sometimes, when he sleeps, I quickly record a song in my home studio,” she says.

Delivering a baby during a pandemic is no cakewalk, and Kaur admits she was worried to step out for check-ups: “But, we took all precautions, and our doctor was very encouraging. Another thing I was worried about was my vaccination, but I’m happy that they’re vaccinating lactating mothers now.”

The Mere Baabula (Jawaani Jaaneman; 2020) singer has also been sharing tips with “close” friends — singers Shreya Ghoshal, who delivered a baby boy last month, and Neeti Mohan, who is currently in her final trimester.

“We kept in touch throughout our pregnancies,” Kaur continues, “When I told Neeti that I’m going to be a mother, she kept my hand over her belly and told me she is pregnant as well... She keeps asking about my delivery experience, things she should pack in her hospital bag. As for Shreya, I was very concerned and kept checking on her.”

This Baisakhi was a special one for Harshdeep Kaur, who welcomed her baby boy Hunar recently. The singer says she missed celebrating the festival in Delhi, with her family and friends. “I remember visiting Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila Sahib in Delhi, where the Baisakhi celebrations used to take place. We would look forward to the langar there. My grandmother would also make us sit in the verandah and sing folk songs for us. I miss Delhi a lot. We visit the gurdwara every year, meet friends and family and celebrate at home,” she tells us.

Talking about how this Baisakhi was special, Harshdeep says, “This year was special because of the birth of my baby boy, Hunar. There are some rituals that we follow on the child’s first Baisakhi, and his grandparents were excited for that. The day also marks the 40th wedding anniversary of my parents so it was double celebrations for us.”

This Baisakhi was a more subdued one because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Harshdeep says, “This year, the celebrations weren’t like every year due to the pandemic. Also, Baisakhi is associated with farmers and harvesting of their crops, but this year due to the ongoing farmers’ protest, the festival wasn’t as celebratory as usual.”