Dancer and actress Rukmini Vijayakumar is looking forward to the festive season, as it has always been a source of joy for her since her childhood. On the fourth day of Navratri, symbolized by the color orange, she shares her thoughts on the festival, her childhood memories associated with it, and what orange, representing enthusiasm and vitality, means to her. Reflecting on her experiences, she recalls fondly, "My fondest memories of Navratri revolve around setting up golu (gombe) with my sibling and cousins when I was young. We would also plant ragi seeds and have a friendly competition to determine the best section of the golu display and the most impressive dolls." As a dancer adorned in vibrant costumes, colors play a significant role in her artistic expression. When asked about the significance of orange, she muses, "Orange conjures images of the sun, flowers, and the stained feet from washing off alta (red ink) and henna. It symbolizes festivities, joy, and unity, which are integral to Indian celebrations filled with a plethora of colors. Orange evokes a sense of jubilance and inner drive, propelling me towards achieving great heights in life." Adding to her sentiments, her mother highlights that, for her, orange represents knowledge. Despite the joyous nature of Navratri, dance remains a central theme in Rukmini's celebrations. She fondly reminisces, "Some of my cherished moments during Navratri involve dancing Dandiya into the night. My mother was stringent when I was younger, restricting my outings. Thus, Navratri was a rare occasion when I could enjoy the festivities and dance till late, albeit returning home with sore feet and taped toes from the vigorous movements.""I used to dance a lot. It was incredibly joyful," she reminisces. However, Rukmini believes that the meaning of celebrations has evolved throughout the years. "There aren't as many Dandiya events like there used to be during my childhood," she comments. When asked about her favorite memory of the festive period, she shares, "During Navratri, I always visited my teacher's home for dance lessons as Vijayadashami is a significant day for dancing. Now, my students come to my dance classes on Vijayadashami, and it holds great importance for me."