Nikki Tamboli, a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, has won hearts through her appearances in reality shows. Currently captivating audiences on Celebrity MasterChef, she has decided to take a short pause from her packed schedule to celebrate Holi. Recently, she shared her thoughts on the festival and the rituals she follows.
For the past three years, Nikki has avoided celebrating Holi due to a personal loss. She revealed that the festival hasn’t felt the same since her brother’s passing. She expressed, “For the past three years, I haven’t played Holi the way I used to after my brother’s passing. The festival just hasn’t felt the same without him.”
However, during her time on Celebrity MasterChef, she felt a renewed connection with the festival. She shared how celebrating it with her father brought back emotions she had buried. Nikki recalled, “But during Celebrity MasterChef, something changed. My father and I played Holi together for the first time since my brother’s demise. It was an emotional moment, there were tears in my eyes, yet a part of me felt connected to the festival again.” Even though she still refrains from letting others apply colors on her, Holi remains a significant part of her life.
She reminisced about the festival being a symbol of happiness. Her most treasured Holi memories come from childhood, where she and her brother made the festival exciting. She recalled how they would team up to splash colors on everyone, throw water balloons, and run around the neighborhood. She said, “The entire family would come together, making it a day filled with laughter and fun. Those carefree days, when Holi was all about excitement and togetherness, are something I deeply treasure.”
Food is also a major part of Holi celebrations for Nikki. She reminisced about the festive delicacies she enjoyed while growing up. She shared that no Holi in her childhood was ever complete without homemade treats. After a long day of playing with colors, her family would gather in the kitchen to prepare vada pav, thandai, and other special dishes.
She also described how the experience of preparing these festive treats was just as important as eating them. She said, “It wasn’t just about eating; it was about the process”. She described how everyone in the house used to help, the kitchen filled with delicious aromas. She added even sharing the food with society was also a part of excitement. Even now, whenever she thinks about Holi, these flavors immediately take her back to those cherished moments.
Despite the pain of loss, Nikki is gradually reconnecting with the festival, finding solace in old traditions and creating new memories. This Holi, while she continues to honor her emotions, she also embraces the warmth of family and the joy that the festival once brought her.