Even the usually reserved let loose a little on New Year’s eve, it is after all a day of universal happiness and celebration, a reason to look forward to change, and to mend fences. The definition of celebration and happiness differ from person to person, for some it might be to curl up with a cup of coffee and finally finish that best seller you’ve been putting off for months or to host the most boisterous party for friends and strangers. Though a large group of people seem to be spending time with loved ones in one way or another, we take a look at different City dwellers’ take on the 31st this time around.
time to travel
One of the best things to do when there is time off work is to travel.
Combining this opportunity with New Year, and throwing in the best of company as bonus are a few in the City. Travelling away from the undoubtedly loud buzz of the City is Pooja Ravi, a content writer at Groupon. She will be spending New Year’s eve at a friend’s home stay in Krishnagiri, which is expected to be in the middle of a forest area.
Joined by other friends, her celebration involves close friends relaxing together away from the throngs of the city. “I’m looking forward to a good break from work and some great company this New Year’s eve,” she said. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, they plan to set up a bonfire and make merry over a friendly barbecue.
Arundathi Venkataraman is wasting no time for 2014. An unusual travel tale, her wish for the day is to travel as little as possible and maximise the little time she gets to spend with her family since she can only visit them over the holidays. Last year, she celebrated the new year a night earlier with family, in order to be on the safer side and avoid the chances of facing a congested traffic situation and drunken revellers on 31st. She plans to spend the day with the rest of the family at a cousin’s place, before packing for the next semester.
heart is at Home
The Raos haven’t booked tickets to a fancy party, they haven’t bought expensive outfits, they have not booked a taxi. Because like every year, the entire family will be sitting at home meditating. That is right. They will start meditating precisely at 11:45 pm and meditate their way into the New Year. Residents of Cox Town, the Rao family has been following the same tradition for the past four years now. Their two teenage daughters have followed suit and never insist on going to a party. “There is a saying that what you are doing at 12 am, you will do that the whole year. And we as a family want to remain calm and composed throughout. The experience is better than those noise filled affairs,” said Umesh Rao, a banker.
Not every family diligently follow the same affair year after year. Deviating from the usual is Avantika Nair, who usually welcomes the New year in style with neighbours and acquaintances through a colony party or an outside function. This year, however, the college-goer will be keeping it close to her heart and spending it with loved ones. Her family has lined up a cosy night of Chinese food and a rom-com movie.
Since she won’t be able to spend the day with all her close friends who are in different states, she plans to do a video conference with them so they can all be together.
From quiet to loud
Loud music definitely has its moments for some. Debjyoti Chandra and his wife Sreetama want to drink, dance and have a blast and they know there’s no day like tomorrow to make the best of everything the city offers. The newly wed want to do everything you typically would for their first New Year together. Since they live off Bannerghatta main road, they will party somewhere more central. They are prepared to have the best night possible. They’ll book the cabs to shuttle them about to the best parties but if at least 12 people are on the streets, he has no qualms about joining in the public revelry.
Bringing in new years in a unique manner is Sukanya Kudi, who will be celebrating the day in Bangalore for the first time. Though she does plan to head out at night with her friends for a jolly good time, it’s her plan for the day that sets her apart. Looking forward to a year of joy, she will be spending the day with her friends from work, by indulging in a comedy movie marathon. She believes that these old Hindi and English classics will make them laugh again and again, regardless of the fact that they are familiar with the jokes. Cosying up on a sofa with plenty of laughter and popcorn with evergreen films like Andaz Apna Apna and Khosla ka Ghosla for company, she and her four friends wish to be in the best of moods before they venture out to join other Bangaloreans celebrating in the streets.
(With inputs from Saloni Mital and Shyama Krishna Kumar)
Here is how is Sandalwood is partying
Poonam Pandey is all set to rock Bangalore this New Year's eve. She is performing live for the first time at Capital Club resort. Poonam recently danced to an item song for a Kannada film, Love is Poison, which has gone viral among the cine buffs. The organisers of the New Year bash have requested her to perform on the same song and Poonam has readily agreed. Apparently, the actress is paid a whopping `1 crore to shake a leg on New Year's eve.
Actress Sanjjanaa will perform for Country Club.
Others have kept it a personal affair. Sudeep will welcome the new year with his family while Puneeth is off to Dubai. Yash is going to Mysore while Komal is off to Ooty and Radhika Pandit is going to Goa with her family. Darshan will be on the sets of Ambareesha shooting on January 1, 2014.
- A Sharadhaa