Festival of colours with family : Debojit Saha

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Festival of colours with family

- Singer rues the sacrifices that come with being a celebrity

Voice of India Debojit Saha on how he celebrated Holi in his hometown after seven years

I celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with gusto this year. It was only natural. After seven years I got an opportunity to be part of the festivities with my family and friends in Silchar.

In fact, it was the only festival I have celebrated in my hometown in a long time. So, it was a very special Holi for me.

I literally went berserk, smearing colours on the faces of friends and relatives, most of whom I met after a gap of several years. They, needless to say, did the same. I was also forced to sing a couple of Holi songs, immortalised by Bollywood, on popular demand to make it special for all of us.

Smeared in love and affection of my people, I realised what I had been missing all these years, spending festivals amid a busy and gruelling work schedule.

After all, a festival — or life itself — is nothing without family and friends. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find time during festivals to be at home. Festivities are actually the busiest season for public performers like us with a series of stage shows lined up.

In other words, we have to drop our celebration to entertain our fans and well-wishers. These sacrifices often go unnoticed as people only see the glamorous side of a celebrity. Beneath the veneer of glare and limelight, it is sheer hard work, dedication, pain and sacrifices that go to make a celebrity. Stardom exacts its own price and at times it can be a heavy one.

I had also another reason to celebrate this Holi. My baby daughter turned one month just a day before the festival. In fact, I had rushed to Silchar on March 10, a day before Holi, to see my daughter achieving a milestone. I now look for an opportunity to run to see her and with every such visit I find her grown; but that is the way it should be...it is so natural and yet I can’t stop marvelling.

These days she has started making gestures and immediately looks up when we call her by her name — Danika. It is a strange feeling to be a father. And without knowing she has already given me her first gift. It is for her that this Holi became so special, so colourful and memorable.

I have already started looking forward to more such years of love and togetherness. Thank you, my little darling. THE TELEGRAPH