Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: I get goosebumps when I hear ‘Ghalin lotangan vandin charan’, reveals Isha Koppikar
In an exclusive interview with Desi Martini, Isha Koppikar reveals all her plans for this year’s Ganesh Chaturti and her bonding with Lord Ganesha
Updated : September 07, 2024 10:43 AM ISTIn an exclusive interview with Desi Martini, Isha Koppikar reveals all her plans for this year’s Ganesh Chaturti and her bonding with Lord Ganesha
I get goosebumps when I hear ‘Ghalin lotangan vandin charan’, reveals Isha Koppikar
Isha Koppikar needs absolutely no introduction. After making her Bollywood debut with the Hrithik Rosha starrer Fiza, she went onto create ripples in the many south films. She also, has to her credit of making everyone dance to her grooves with tracks like Ishq Samundar (from Kaante) and Khallas (from Company). Like everyone else, Isha too shares an extremely close bond with Lord Ganesha. This year is truly very special for her as she brings Lord Ganpati in her new house!
So, here’s presenting Isha Koppikar in an exclusive conversation with DesiMartini as she discusses and reveals all her plans for this year’s Ganesh Chaturti and also her bonding with Lord Ganesha!
Isha… how are you planning to celebrate this year’s Ganeshotsav?
This is the first year of Ganpati Bappa in my new house. Last year, Ganesh Chaturthi was on the 19 of September, which also happens to be my birthday. I celebrated my birthday with Bappa last year. At the same time, I also wished Bappa that, whenever I move out of here (her old house), He needs to make sure that I get a beautiful home. And guess what! Bappa exactly did that!
Carry on…
No amount of words can express what I feel for my Bappa! This new place vibes with Bappa and that too, within a month and a half, I got my own house in Mumbai! Guess what! I was also born on Ganpati visarjan day. That way, I feel that I have a strange connection with Ganpati Bappa! My happiness, tears, happy and sad moments… I tell Bappa everything and He always listens!
Are there any specific custom/s that you follow for Ganeshotsav?
Oh yes! I have the pundit jis coming to my place from Siddhivinayak Temple to do the pooja. Morning time, we do the ‘sthaapana’ of Lord Ganesha and in the evening, we have around 6 pandit jis doing the Maha Pooja and Maha Aarti… same way it happens in Siddhivinayak Temple.
For how many days do you keep Ganpati Bappa in your house?
It’s for one and a half days. It is very difficult to do all by myself. It’s a commitment that I make towards Ganpati Bappa. I just cannot afford to have any excuses or reasons to go wrong anywhere. Bappa is a part of the family. We just cannot leave Him alone in the house. Someone has to be with Him.
Can you recall your fondest memory of the Ganeshotsav festival?
I was born in Karnataka Society in Mahim, wherein we had a ten-day Saarvajanik Ganeshotav celebrations. We used to prep for the celebrations as early as one and a half to two months itself! There used to be skits, plays, and dances … OMG… almost everything under the sun! Unfortunately, today’s kids don’t have any of these things!
Can we find any traditional recipe/s that you are planning to make during Ganeshotsav?
My Amma (Mother) is making all of that. There is batatachi baaji (poptao baaji), shrikand, ukhadi ke modak, kaaju and tendli ki upkari, waran bhaat, madgadey (in Konkani), pooran poli.. There are way too many things!
Is there anything in specific that you want to ask for from Lord Ganesha during this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi?
I had asked Him for a house, Bappa gave it to me. I know whatever I will ask Him, He will give it. As for this year’s wish from Him, I will surely tell you next year what I had asked Him for!
Is there any all-time favorite Ganeshotsav song in Bollywood?
Right now, its ‘Deva Shree Ganesha’ tops my list. And the moment I hear the line ‘Ghalin lotangan vandin charan’, it really gives me goosebumps! Any track that has got these lines, it’s absolutely heartwarming!
Do you know how to prepare modaks?
I don’t prepare modaks. I have got my hands full now doing all the preparations for the arrival and his aaradhna of Ganpati Bappa. But my mother makes the lovely modaks.
Any specific variety of modak?
It’s the ukhadi ke modak and the other one which has got the coconut in it!
Is there a reason/s that make this year’s Ganeshotsav very unique?
As I said, I have moved into my new house. That itself is worth the three things! That tops all the reasons.
Can you recall the three dishes associated with Ganesh Chaturthi?
Chane ka daal ka madagane (Konkani), ukhadi ke modak and waran bhaat!
Do you follow a specific diet like vegan, vegetarian, keto, etc…? Or since its Ganeshotsav, it’s a chat day for all the nine days?
I follow Circadian Rhythm. I eat with the sunrise and I am done by the sunset. I keep the most important meals of the day in the first half. But yes, as you rightly said, since its Ganeshotsav… (smiles).