Swati Deole, who plays the role of Mangala in the TV show Lakshmi Nivas, reminisced about her childhood summers. “My summer vacation used to be quite different. The entire year would be filled with studies and Kathak dance classes. So once the vacation started, I would make up for all that stress by sleeping a lot! I had morning school because my father believed it would build the habit of waking up early—so he enrolled me in a morning shift."
She adds, “During the holidays, I would play mostly by myself because I didn’t have many friends. I had only two school friends—Sonali Khare and Ketaki Sutavane. They would usually go to their hometowns or had other plans. I didn’t have a native village to visit—everything was limited to my home and building.”
Swati shares, “I would set up pretend kitchens (Bhatukli), my mom would give me puffed rice (churmure), and I would sit and play downstairs. Because of my early rising habit, I’d pick flowers in the morning and do the daily prayer. One thing that was non-negotiable—reciting multiplication tables! My father always said they would be useful throughout life. Sometimes, I would visit my aunt’s or uncle’s place, or my cousins would come to stay with us. If we had plans with my parents, we’d go out. The start of summer vacation always meant mom’s set routine—grated potato snacks, sabudana crisps, pickles, mango murabba, raw mango sherbet, various types of papad, and aam kaayras—a Saraswat delicacy, which was a regular in our home. I used to help my mother with all of these preparations, which sparked my interest in cooking from a young age. Today, I continue the tradition with my son. I make these same summer treats alongside him so that he develops the same good habits I did. The wisdom my mother passed down to me is something I use every day in my own home. Now, if I get a summer vacation, I love to travel. I’ve visited Leh-Ladakh, Kashmir, and many cold destinations. Alibaug is our native village, so we go there too. We also visit Narsobachi Wadi. I truly enjoy traveling to all these places.”
Don’t forget to catch Lakshmi Nivas, every night at 8pm, only on Zee Marathi!
