Makar Sankranti, a festival celebrated across India, marks the arrival of spring and is known for its colorful kites and the sharing of sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery. This 2024, amidst the festive celebrations, veteran Bollywood actress Saira Banu took to social media to share an evocative recollection of past celebrations, particularly those involving her cherished memories with Sushila Aai, the revered matriarch of a friend’s family, and her late husband, the iconic film star Dilip Kumar.
With heartwarming words, Banu detailed the special moments and the unique connection she shared with Sushila Aai, who was the mother of her friend Nanda Taai. She affectionately remembered Sushila Aai’s hand-crafted gifts which held a great deal of sentimental value. These included a small handmade purse adorned with green beads and tiny sequined boxes brimming with Sankranti sweets. Accompanying these gifts were thoughtful notes that read “Til Gud Khawa Ani God God Bola,” an endearing Marathi phrase that encourages speaking sweetly, reflecting the spirit of the festival.
Saira Banu’s post not only painted a picture of the festival’s cultural significance but also gave us a glimpse into her personal world, where the bonds of friendship and family traditions melded together against the backdrop of Indian cinema’s golden era. She fondly remembered the warmth and camaraderie that defined her interactions with Nanda Taai and the maternal affection Sushila Aai showed her. “She treated me as her married daughter,” Banu reflected, underscoring the deep emotional ties that had been formed.
Reflecting on the gastronomic delights synonymous with festive times, Banu recalled how both families shared a love for Desi cuisine, enhancing the joy of their meetings. These shared meals became more than just a nourishment for the body; they were a feast of unity, bringing together people from different backgrounds in a celebration of life’s simple pleasures.
Saira Banu’s reminiscence also painted a vivid picture of Dilip Kumar – her late husband and a revered figure in Indian cinema – and the cherished moments they spent together during Sankranti. It was a time for the couple to revel in the warmth of tradition and togetherness. As Saira Banu wrote, those shared experiences during the festival became the threads weaving through the tapestry of their lives, creating unforgettable memories.
In her touching tribute, Banu invites her followers and fans to partake in the essence of Makar Sankranti, a festival that transcends mere celebration and becomes a symbol of love, togetherness, and the sweetness of shared memories. She expresses the hope that the joy she carries in her heart from past festivities extends to everyone as they celebrate the festival.
As Banu shared a throwback image on Instagram, it served as a portal to the past, offering a peek at the rich personal interactions that are seldom seen behind the public personas of legendary film stars. Through her nostalgic recounting, Saira Banu has woven the festival’s tradition with her own life narrative, offering her audience a rare and heartfelt connection to a beloved era of Indian cinema and culture.
Makar Sankranti 2024 may be much like the many that have come before, with its fluttering kites and sweet treats, but through Saira Banu’s shared memories, it encapsulates timeless emotional connections that continue to resonate within the hearts of those who treasure traditions and cherish the bonds of friendship and love.
