Janmashtami, the revered festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, holds deep cultural and personal significance for many, including popular actress Jaya Bhattacharya. Known for her memorable role as Urmila in Sun Neo’s television series ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’, Jaya delves into her treasured memories and what the festival means to her in the contemporary setting as Janmashtami approaches this year.
Sharing her fond recollections of childhood spent in Lucknow, Jaya paints a vivid picture of how Janmashtami used to be a time of unbounded joy and creativity. “Back in those days, we would create jhankis, which are intricate decorative displays made using colored sawdust to craft various scenes. It was reminiscent of the creativity seen in Ganpati festivals,” she recounted with a nostalgic smile. Among her most cherished memories is the delightful tradition involving the sweet dish panjiri, made from whole wheat flour and nuts. She reminisced gleefully, “We used to eat it with so much excitement, taking big handfuls and blowing it out of our mouths while saying ‘phoo phaa’, creating a playful mess and having the time of our lives.” The revelry would continue all through the night with the Jan Ka Utsav at midnight, followed by spirited singing and dancing, making the festival an immersive experience in community and celebration.
However, Jaya expresses a sense of loss when she compares today’s Janmashtami celebrations with those of her childhood. “These days, everything feels so artificial and rushed. There was a time when every household or neighborhood group of families would come together to create jhankis,” she reflected with a hint of melancholy.
For this year’s Janmashtami, Jaya will be celebrating the festival on the set of ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’. “We are in the midst of preparing for a special episode dedicated to Janmashtami,” she revealed, emphasizing that her work is another form of her devotion and prayer. The actress finds inspiration in the teachings of Lord Krishna. Quoting from the Bhagavad Gita, she mentioned, “I focus on performing my duties without worrying about the outcomes.” According to Jaya, this philosophy not only guides her professional life but also resonates deeply with her natural inclination to help others, a trait she believes has been inherited from her family.
‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’ is an evocative family drama that centers around the life of Vaishnavi, an orphan who looks up to Chhathi Maiyya as her mother.
. The series upholds the themes of the triumph of good over evil and the immense power of faith. The show boasts a stellar cast, including Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Sara Khan, Jaya Bhattacharya, Brinda Dahal, and Ashish Dixit. It airs on Sun Neo from Monday to Saturday at 7 PM, capturing the hearts of audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and compelling performances.
Reflecting once more on her childhood, Jaya vividly described the community spirit that was central to the Janmashtami celebrations. Each household participated enthusiastically by contributing to the jhankis. “It wasn’t just about the decorations; it was about the community coming together, the shared laughter, and the collective prayer,” she emphasized.
In today’s fast-paced world, Jaya feels that such genuine interactions are dwindling. “Everything feels so commercialized now. People just don’t seem to have the time or the inclination to come together in the same way they used to,” she lamented.
Despite these changes, Jaya remains hopeful and continues to cherish the essence of Janmashtami through her work and personal beliefs. The special episode of ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’ promises to bring some of that old-world charm back into the contemporary celebrations, merging nostalgia with current reality.
Jaya’s dedication to her craft and her seamless blend of professional and spiritual life reflects Lord Krishna’s teaching about focusing on one’s duties. Her role in ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’ is not just an acting job for her; it’s a way of expressing her faith and continuing her family’s tradition of extending help and kindness to others.
The show, steeped in cultural and moral values, echoes Jaya’s sentiment of maintaining tradition and staying true to one’s roots. ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya’ serves as a reminder of the power of faith and community, providing modern-day viewers a glimpse into the heartfelt celebrations and values of yesteryears, just as Jaya remembers them.
For this year’s celebration, while Jaya might be physically away from her hometown and the traditional festivities of Lucknow, she remains spiritually connected. By celebrating Janmashtami on the set of ‘Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,’ she finds a way to honor the festival in a manner that is both professional and deeply personal, embodying the timeless spirit of Janmashtami within the realms of modern-day narratives.
