Shreyas Talpade: Childhood visuals of gudis being raised in every house are etched in my heart and mind - Gudi Padwa Special

As the vibrant festival of Gudi Padwa approaches, marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year in Maharashtra, we sat down with actor Shreyas Talpade to delve into his personal experiences and reflections on this auspicious occasion. From cherished childhood memories to the lessons he hopes to pass on to his daughter Aadya, the actor offers a heartwarming glimpse into his family’s traditions and the day’s significance in the modern world.
‘Preparing the gudi is a fun experience that has remained constant’
For Shreyas and his family, Gudi Padwa is a deeply cherished tradition passed down through generations. The festival marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and the arrival of spring. Shreyas shares, “At our house, Gudi Padwa starts with waking up early, getting ready, wearing new clothes, and performing a small puja before preparing the gudi – a symbolic flag representing victory and prosperity. It’s a fun task that I fondly remember doing, not just with my father, but also with uncles and aunts. This tradition continues with equal enthusiasm by my mother, wife and daughter now.”
No Gudi Padwa celebration is complete without a feast, and for the Talpades, that means savouring traditional sweets. His wife, Deepti, adds, “We prepare a lot of sweets, most notably sakhar bhaat (sweet rice). It’s a cherished delicacy, even though sugar consumption has decreased over the years.”

While Gudi Padwa was once viewed simply as a holiday, Shreyas’s understanding of its significance has deepened over time. “As kids, it was always a holiday,” he admits. “But as you grow, you start understanding the real meaning of it – the fact that it’s a new beginning, springtime, and the start of a new year.” The rise of social media has also amplified the festival’s importance. “Now more than ever, especially because of social media, with all these reels and information, you really see the significance of Gudi Padwa,” he observes.
‘Visuals of gudis being raised in every house are etched in my heart’
Shreyas recalls the vibrant displays of gudis that once adorned his neighbourhood during his childhood days. He reminisces, “Having grown up in a Maharashtrian locality, some of my best childhood memories are centered around Gudi Padwa. You could see gudis being raised in every house, and it was such a sight to behold. That visual is etched in my heart and mind, and I really miss it. It breaks my heart because I used to see numerous gudis in almost every building, but now, I hardly see more than a couple.”

Shreyas is in awe of the passion with which his daughter has embraced Indian festivals, including Gudi Padwa. In fact, he sees a reflection of his own father in her enthusiasm. “We jokingly call my daughter an old soul,” he says, adding, “because she is extremely enthusiastic about all festivals. Sometimes, I feel like she is the reincarnation of my father. As she matures, she seeks to understand things on a deeper level. I love explaining the significance behind these traditions, which she finds fascinating. I hope she learns from these festivals that there’s always a fresh start, a time to begin anew. We just need to be patient.”

While he cherishes the memories of Gudi Padwa celebrations from the past, he also recognises the importance of creating new traditions and memories. He admits, “Yes, I miss those times terribly, but I have also learnt to live in the moment and create fresh memories.” He encourages others to do the same. “Those times are never coming back, which you realise later in life. Live and enjoy the moment because you never know when you’ll be able to relive it. Just make sure those are happy memories, so that when you look back, it leaves a smile on your face,” he signs off with a smile.