Exclusive: ‘I will be going to my hometown Indore, to celebrate Diwali,’ says Kamna Pathak

Kamna Pathak/PR image

What are your Diwali plans this year?
This year for Diwali, like every year, I will be going to my hometown, Indore, to celebrate the festivities with my friends and family. The celebrations are grander and more special this year as my parents have bought a new house named after me - 'Kamna'. It will be our first Diwali celebrations there, so there is a lot of excitement and a whole lot of décor and festivities in store. I am super excited and looking forward to it.

What have you shopped for?
Diya painting - I always enjoyed buying Diyas of all shapes and sizes, painting them with various colours and decorating them with motifs. The entire process has always been my favourite thing and adds that personal touch to the festivities. Lighting diyas is considered auspicious and wards off evil spirits and negative energies.

Your favourite childhood memories of Diwali...
Diyas! I will be lighting so many diyas. The diya lights up our homes with festive spirits and looks amazing. Like I said before, I always enjoy painting and decorating the diyas, so I will do that this year. I always make it a point to buy as many diyas as possible, colour them vibrant, and use them even in rangolis. So, they are always at the top of my shopping list apart from other things like clothes and accessories.

What are the Diwali traditions at your home?
The Laxmi and Ganesh pooja with the entire family is one tradition that we follow religiously. That apart, the whole dressing up in our traditional attires and ethnic wear. I love sarees, and they are the best traditional wear, and I never leave any opportunity to wear them. So, Diwali is incomplete without traditional puja, sweets and attire!

What are the sweets you love gorging on during Diwali?
I love eating Gulab Jamuns made by my mom, and it's the most special sweet for me.

Any favourite Diwali song or scene from a movie?
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham's scene when Shah Rukh Khan returns and Jaya Bachchan is ready with the aarti ki thali is my favourite Diwali scene to watch.

What's your favourite part of the festival?
Making rangoli in the evening and lighting up the house with diyas is my favourite part of the Diwali festival.