I love how every part of the country celebrates the harvest differently: Pranitha Subhash

For Pranitha Subhash, Sankranti this year arrives with a heightened sense of gratitude, reflection, and joy — anchored firmly at home. “Sankranti symbolises new beginnings and gratitude,” she says adding, “I’m very grateful for the past year.” More than harvest and tradition, the festival, for her, is now about her family. Having worked across multiple film industries, Pranitha says she has witnessed the many ways Sankranti is celebrated across India. “It’s beautiful to see the same festival taking on different forms in India,” she says. “In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sankranti is observed after Bhogi. It’s a grand affair with elaborate family feasts. In northern India, it turns into a kite festival,” she smiles. This year, her daughter is especially excited about flying kites. “I’m looking forward to blending bits of all these traditions for her.” She tells us more:

‘Sankranti used to be all about sharing’

One tradition she deeply misses is distributing ellu-bella. “We would dress up, take our mothers along, and go from house to house with neighbours, cousins and friends, exchanging plates of ellu and bella,” she recalls, adding “There were colourful flowers, songs, and so much excitement.” She feels that spontaneity has faded. “Today, everything needs planning — you ping someone, check if they’re home, and schedule for next Friday. I really miss those impromptu celebrations, when sharing was at the heart of Sankranti,” she says.

‘Obattu with ghee will always be my favourite’Food, she says, is inseparable from Sankranti. “Obattu with ghee is my favourite,” she declares. Childhood treats like sakharachiya still hold emotional value, even if her eating habits have evolved. “The ellu-bella mix and the coloured soft kalsakkares (sugar sweets) — I still binge on them. There’s even scientific logic to it; you need more calories in winter to stay warm,” she laughs. Family meals remain central to the celebration. “My mother-in-law prepares a beautiful festive spread every year. We’re having an ela oota at home again, and I’m really looking forward to it,” she says.

‘It’s important to teach our kids why traditions matter’Motherhood, she says, has heightened her sense of responsibility. “We now have to explain why we follow certain rituals and what they mean. The next generation will question everything,” she explains. For Pranitha, preserving culture lies in storytelling. She says, “We need to give them the right stories and information so they can carry it forward. That’s the hardest part — and also the most important.”

‘Kanjeevarams are timeless’

Festive dressing, Pranitha says, has evolved with age. “I’ve recently discovered how beautiful Kanjeevarams and Mysore silk are. Only now do I realise how timeless they are,” she says. What draws her most is the idea of legacy. “You can wear your grandmother’s sari even today. That’s why I’m investing in these pieces — to pass them on to my daughter and future generations,” she explains. While she prefers minimal dressing otherwise, festivals allow her to balance tradition with modern sensibilities, “whether it’s the hairstyle, minimal jewellery, or styling.” She adds, “I’ve also begun to see jewellery as an art form. When everything comes together, it makes the festival special.”