Spring brings with it the festival of colours. Which colour do you identify with as a person?
Sauraseni: I think I associate most with red.
Bibriti: I think as a kid I loved the colour pink but as a person grows up they like to have different shades in them and so did I. I think, as of now, I like every colour.
What are your favourite Holi memories from your childhood days and growing-up years?
Sauraseni: My neighbours are my relatives. As a child, I remember, we used to gather together for a get-together and eat a really late lunch. I had developed allergy to colours during my growing-up years, so I could play with herbal abir only.
Bibriti: As a kid, teenager and even now as an adult, I love Holi. I think this is my favourite festival. I love to play with colours and be naughty and have fun. But my best memory is when I was in Rajasthan (in boarding school) and we all used to play on campus and it was a great feeling. Our principal, teachers and all the hostellers used to come together and play. That’s the best memory of Holi I have.
How do you usually like to celebrate it now?
Sauraseni: Last year I had my family come over to my place and we had a Holi party. The way we celebrate now has changed but it’s still fun. Our schedule is so tight that we get to meet friends only during such holidays.
Bibriti: Even now I love celebrating Holi with my family and friends. Now, playing with colours, meeting friends and having nice comfort food is my way of celebrating Holi.
Have you ever hosted or been part of a Holi party? Do you have any funny memories ?
Sauraseni: Last year when my family came over, we just danced like maniacs and had fun. On Dol we can’t have non-veg but next day we have mutton and rice and that’s the best for me. I am not a bhang person at all.
Bibriti: I have been a part of many Holi parties but there’s only one I hosted. That was in 2019 at my place in Kolkata. It was just a fun party for my family and cousins. We played with colours for three-four hours. Hosting a Holi party is not easy. It is really hectic. It stains you and then you are the person in charge of the stains in your house, doors and walls and everything. But overall I think it was fun and I would really like to host another Holi party when the elders of my family can also join.
Sauraseni exuded charm in this Rini Seal reversible outfit that resembles an English countryside lass look. The A-line handwoven wrap-around dress with a tie-up detail, patch pockets and 3/4th sleeves is designed like a plain mocha brown handwoven cotton outfit on one side and floral-motif block prints on the reverse side. The look is completed with silver accessories from Karishmaz, a bun and fuchsia pink lips.
Have you spent Holi away from Calcutta before? What are your Holi plans this year?
Sauraseni: Right now, I would just want to sleep on Holi! (Laughs) This year I won’t be able to play Holi because when we are shooting we can’t really play, in case the colour doesn’t go off. I have fond memories of once going to Mandarmani with my friends, with a group of 15-16 people. It was super fun.
Bibriti: My primary schooling was from Calcutta so I had spent those school years in Calcutta but most of my years have been spent in
Rajasthan at a boarding school there. My fun memories has to be from my school Sangam and Holi was enjoyable there for me. While I was in Bombay, I found it was a little different from how we spend at home but fun. I had worked the day before Holi and the next day also I had to go to work, so I could do a limited celebration. And plan for this year is still dicey because maybe I won’t be in town for Holi and it’s still not decided.
Is there a must-do for you related to this festival ?
Bibriti: Playing with colours!
Sauraseni: Oiling my hair and body before going out. That’s the only must-do to stay safe. (Laughs)
Is there any special food you are reminded of when we speak about Holi?
Sauraseni: Thandai!
Bibriti: Thandai! I need to have it. Many glasses!
People either choose new, all-white or wardrobe discards as their Holi style. What’s your style like?
Sauraseni: It used to be wardrobe discards but for the last three years I have been wearing whites, which are again white wardrobe discards! (Laughs)
Bibriti: When I was a kid my wardrobe was decided by my mother so it had to be all the discards during Holi and it was repeated next year until it was torn. But since the time I started deciding my outfits, it has to be white. If not full white, a tinge of white for sure and it has to be something Indian. I am going to wear a white sari with a neon border this time.
Which colour would you choose to describe your life at present and why?
Bibriti: I think yellow. Yellow because it’s bright and makes anything look brighter.
Sauraseni: It has become grey! I haven’t taken an off in a long time, so it’s just grey. Not just 50 but all the shades of grey! I am dying to take a vacation.
Bibriti, white dominates your wardrobe and Insta while Sauraseni, red dominates yours. What do you like best about the colour?
Bibriti: White dominates because it is such a neutral colour which goes along with everything and has the power to make anything look accentuated. I think it is a very pure colour. I feel very pious and serene when I wear that.
Sauraseni: I think red is a very feminine colour. I am also attracted to red flags! It is also associated with pleasure.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Styling: Anupam Chatterjee
Hair and make-up: Abhijit Paul
Styling assistant: Snehalata Adhikari
Hair assistant: Sananda Mondal Laha
Location: Chhuti Holiday Resort in Santiniketan
COLOUR-MAN, COLOUR-MAN !
Choose a colour to describe each of these phases or experiences in your life:
Childhood:
Sauraseni: Yellow
Bibriti: Red
Teenage years:
Sauraseni: Blue
Bibriti: Pink
School life:
Sauraseni: Pink
Bibriti: Green
College days:
Sauraseni: Black
Bibriti: Blue
Beginning of your work life:
Sauraseni: Green.
Bibriti: White
Love:
Sauraseni: Red
Bibriti: Yellow
Heartbreak:
Sauraseni: Red
Bibriti: Black
Friendship:
Sauraseni: Yellow
Bibriti: Gold
Family:
Sauraseni: White
Bibriti: Brown