New Delhi: Celebrated for her compelling performances on Indian television, Jaya Bhattacharya recently opened up about her personal journey with Diwali—a festival she holds dear to her heart. Known for her role as Urmila in the emotional family drama “Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,” Jaya Bhattacharya is as passionate about culture and tradition as she is about her career. Her reflections on Diwali blend nostalgia with a heartfelt message advocating for celebrations that are mindful and harmonious with nature.
Sharing her fond memories of Diwali, Jaya Bhattacharya says, “Lighting diyas and illuminating the entire house is the most enjoyable part of Diwali for me. As a Bengali, our festivities also include celebrating Kali Puja on this day, so it’s a double occasion for us.” She reminisces about her time in Lucknow, detailing how Diwali preparations included traditional treats like kheel, lava, lai, batashas, and sweet potato toys. “Although I don’t find all those items here anymore, I purchase whatever I can and offer them to Mother Lakshmi during Diwali,” she explained.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Jaya fondly recounts her childhood experiences with the festival. As an only child of protective parents, her adventure with firecrackers was often limited. “I was only allowed to burst phuljharis or pencil sparklers. Despite buying mirchis, bombs, and anars, my parents would ask the neighborhood boys to light them for me. It was frustrating for me,” recalls Jaya. However, she relived one memorable Diwali from her 10th grade, narrating, “I was at my nani’s place and took the chance to buy a ladhi, taking out all the mirchis. I lit them one by one with a candle—clearly imitating the boys. My father caught me and gave me a memorable scolding. Eventually, he relented, saying, ‘You’re grown up—just be careful.
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In recent years, Jaya’s perspective on Diwali has evolved significantly. Her love for animals has driven her to reconsider how she participates in the festival. Speaking on this transformation, she stated, “I used to love bursting crackers, but that changed once I began working with animals.” The auditory impact of crackers is enormously amplified for animals, especially dogs, whose hearing is much more sensitive than humans. Jaya also notes the adverse effects pollution from crackers can have on asthmatic individuals. She strongly condemns the practice of attaching crackers to animals’ tails, labeling it as distressing.
For Jaya, Diwali now represents a time of spreading love, positivity, and happiness without resorting to noisy and polluting festivities. “Diwali should be about lighting up the world and ushering in positive energy rather than focusing on loud crackers, noise, or pollution. It’s a time for positivity, happiness, good food, meeting friends and loved ones, sharing gifts, and having fun,” she adds.
The talented actress highlights her ongoing role as Urmila in “Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya,” where she portrays a stepmother with a hidden agenda against her family. Airing on Sun Neo at 7 PM, the drama unfolds the emotional journey of Vaishnavi, an orphan who holds deep reverence for Chhathi Maiyya, played by Sneha Wagh. Through this role and her real-life advocacy for mindful celebrations, Jaya Bhattacharya exemplifies how deeply her artistic and personal journeys intertwine.
The celebrated actress calls for a rethinking of traditional celebrations, advocating for mindful practices that honor not only human traditions but also the well-being of planet Earth and its creatures. Her message resonates in a world increasingly conscious of the environmental and ethical implications of festivity.
As the festival of lights approaches, Jaya Bhattacharya extends a gentle reminder that increasingly resonates with the times—a call for celebrations marked by kindness, consideration for the environment, and an overarching emphasis on spreading love and joy. Let this Diwali be not only a celebration of light but also of enlightened consciousness, as echoed in Jaya’s heartfelt advocacy.
