As Valentine's Day approaches, love is in the air — casting its spell of romance and affection worldwide. Amidst the flurry of heart-shaped chocolates and red roses, My Kolkata tried to uncover the unique ways in which couples celebrate this special day. Delving into the hearts of two distinct pairs, Ma Faiza and Anuradha, along with Abhishek Ray and Chaitanya Sharma, we discovered the tales of their love, offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Valentine’s Day traditions.
Extended celebration with Ma Faiza and Anuradha
When we asked DJ Ma Faiza how she would be celebrating this special day with model and partner Anuradha, she said, “Every year brings its unique twist, especially depending on whether Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend or not. This time around, it’s not on a weekend, which is a rarity for me since I usually have work commitments on weekends.”
This gave Ma a chance to do something different. “I’m off work, so I’ve made plans to spend quality time with my wife. I can’t divulge too much, but we're looking forward to enjoying some loving space together, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life,” she said.
We asked Ma what plans she had made. “Our escape will be to a secluded spot, where it's just the two of us. Though I haven't figured out all the details yet, I'm determined to surprise her. We'll indulge in a romantic dinner, cherishing the rare opportunity to unwind and connect amidst our busy lives,” she said.
But she does not only dedicate Valentine’s Day to loving her wife. She also has activities planned on the days that lead up to it. “Today, I even took the initiative to prepare a meal and we enjoyed some mocktails together. It's going to be a Valentine’s Day filled with warmth and affection — an extended celebration of our love — that transcends any single day. After all, celebrating love isn’t just about one day — it’s about cherishing each other for a lifetime. And if you have managed to do that, then you have done pretty well, according to me,” she signed off.
The little things with Abhishek Ray and Chaitanya Sharma
Abhishek Ray and Chaitanya Sharma during a cute moment
For designer Abhishek Ray and partner Chaitanya Sharma, Valentine's Day is like any other day, but with small cute gestures. “Since we met, we've rarely spent Valentine's Day together because we live in different cities. He always sends me chocolates and flowers. Most of the time, I forget it's the 14th because I'm either working or teaching,” said Abhishek.
When we asked what else he received from Chaitanya, he said, “Last year, I came home to find Swiggy delivering my favourite pizza from my favourite place. He's incredibly thoughtful and remembers all these little details – he’s more of a romantic than I am. Once, I called him to ask why he sent them, and he simply said, “It's Valentine's Day!”
Abhishek remembered the first Valentine’s Day he had shared with his husband. “His last name is Sharma, so I jokingly called him "Sharmaji,". On our first Valentine’s Day I had given him a pendant that had, ‘Sharmaji’ written on it and he still wears it,” he said.
But Abhishek admits that Valentine’s Day is not really a big day for them. “At our age, Valentine's Day isn't seen as a special occasion to celebrate, unlike the craze among youngsters. But this year, he'll be here, and we'll also have an elaborate Saraswati Puja at home, surrounded by family and friends,” he said.
Both Abhishek and Chaitanya enjoy the little things that matter; it doesn't have to be an expensive or posh gift. Abhishek has a huge collection of toy cars and he’s more than happy to receive a Hot Wheels from Chaitanya as a gift!
