Dancer and actress Rukmini Vijayakumar is looking forward to the festive season, as it has always been a source of joy for her since childhood. On the fourth day of Navratri, characterized by the color orange, we catch up with her to talk about the festival, her childhood memories associated with it, and what the color orange - symbolizing enthusiasm and vitality - signifies to her. "My fondest memories of Navratri revolve around setting up the 'golu' (display of dolls) as a child. My brother, cousins, and I used to plant ragi seeds and eagerly watch them grow. We used to have friendly competitions to determine the best part of the 'golu' and who had the finest dolls," she recalls in an interview with Bangalore Times. As a dancer, wearing vibrant costumes is an integral part of her profession, but does the color orange hold a special meaning for her? "When I envision orange, it brings to mind images of the sun and blooming flowers. It also reminds me of the reddish tint left on my feet after washing off 'alta' (red dye) during my younger days, as well as the lingering stains of henna. Orange is synonymous with festivities, representing joy and unity. Indian festivals are a riot of colors, with orange and yellow playing prominent roles in our celebrations," Rukmini explains. "Orange fills me with a sense of joy blended with inner fire, fueling my ambitions in life." Her mother joins the conversation, noting that for her, orange symbolizes wisdom. Rukmini also reveals that Navratri entailed plenty of dancing for her. "Among my cherished Navratri memories are the evenings spent dancing Dandiya. My mother was quite strict when I was young, restricting my outings. Thus, Navratri nights were the rare occasions I could step out. We would dance energetically all night, often returning home with sore feet and tape wrapped around our toes, but it was all part of the joyful experience."Rukmini reminisces about the joyous times of dancing during festivals. She believes that the meaning of festivals has evolved with time, noting a decrease in Dandiya nights compared to her childhood. Her fondest memory of the festive season is attending dance classes at her teacher's house during Navratri, as Vijayadashami holds great significance for dancers. Now, her own students gather at her dance class to celebrate Vijayadashami, making it a special occasion for her.