My City My Navratri: Blue brings a sense of calm and represents royalty, says Nikki Galrani

On the seventh day of Navratri, represented by the colour blue, Nikki Galrani talks about her love for the colour, her memories of Navratri and how she is going to celebrate the festival this year. Sharing that she is determined to revisit her old memories by going for Dandiya this year, the Maragadha Naanyam actress says, “Since my childhood, Navratri has been a huge festival for us. I grew up going to the Durga pandals around my house and playing Dandiya all night. It has been a while now as I don’t get to do these things that I used to do as a child, but this year, I have made up my mind to go out and play Dandiya in Chennai.”

“In one of the days of the Navratri, we used to have a full night jagran (vigil), where we sat down and chanted songs of the goddess all night. In my childhood, Navratri was something that I always looked forward to. Apart from this being the holiday season, it was always fun to get together with cousins and the extended family during this time,” the actress adds.

Digging down her earliest memories of the festival and remembering how her parents celebrated the festival, she says, “During Navratri, I remember my mother fasting for all nine days and my father taking part in the fast whenever possible. Since I am Sindhi, among us, there is a practice of getting eight little girls (who represent the eight avatars of mother Lakshmi, Ashtalakshmi) and a guy, feeding them nicely, and giving them gifts.”

Speaking about the colour blue, which represents the seventh day of Navratri, Nikki says, “The colour blue is so soothing that it brings an instant sense of calm. It think it is a universally liked colour. I am very fond of the sky and the ocean, both represented by the colour blue. I see the colour as a representation of royalty, wealth and richness.”

About her fashion statements and choice of accessories, she shares, “I prefer to keep my accessories minimal. Blue is a colour that looks elegant when accessorised in a classy manner. I don’t like to over-deckup. I really like brocade blouses or heavily embroidered silk blouses if the sari is a simple one. While choosing a boat neck blouse, I let go of the necklace and wear a pair of statement earrings. With a sari, I think a middle parted neat bun looks very elegant. I often add a small bun accessory in my hair or maybe some mallipoo, if I am in a very festive mood.”