'Cos Easter is the time to reflect, renew & reconnect'

Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a festival that blends deep religious meaning with age-old traditions. South celebrities reflect on the cherished Easter traditions that make the festival special.
I take out my father out for a Easter brunch without fail: Catherine
This year, I’ll be in Chennai for work, but I’m going to church. That’s the first thing I’m going to do on Easter. Afterward, I’ll take my father out for a lovely brunch. Easter eggs have always been my favourite. Growing up, they were a staple during the festival. You crack the egg, and inside, you find more chocolate. It’s like chocolate on chocolate. It’s gorgeous.

I give up non-veg, sweets, & alcohol to honour the Easter spirit: Regina
In my childhood, my mother and I used to do a lot of artwork on Easter eggs. Later, we would distribute Easter eggs to friends and neighbours. It was a lot of fun, and even in school, we would do all of that. If I were an Easter bunny, I would put together a treasure hunt for my friends and make them search for it. We observe Lent for 40 days. It teaches us about abstinence. I have given up non-vegetarian food, desserts, and alcohol during this period, just like how Christ sacrificed his life for us. Everyone chooses something meaningful to give up to understand that spirit.

Easter reminds me to forgive, let go, and be proud of myself: Noel
When we were kids, my siblings and I didn’t really get what worship meant. We only did it to impress our parents or to get chocolates and treats. If you ask me now, I’d say God is the director of all our lives. Easter is more of an intercession — a time to look within. It reminds me to forgive the struggles I’ve been through and stop blaming others for my struggles. I forgive myself and take pride in having faced difficult times. I know I can still achieve my goals and be proud of my journey.

Lent is all about deep reflection: Sangeeth
The 45-day Lent period leading up to Easter holds deep spiritual significance and is rooted in family traditions. When I’m at home, I follow all the rituals with my mother. On Maundy Thursday, we prepare pesaha appam and kuruku — that becomes our only meal for the day. On Good Friday, we have just one simple meal, kanji, and fast for the rest of the day. We avoid non-vegetarian food during Lent. I try to stick to it even during shoots, but I get a little lazy on set.

– Divya Shree