Rukmini Vasanth Shares What Makes Deepavali a Festival of Heart and Home

Actress Rukmini Vasanth, who has captivated audiences and critics alike with her nuanced performances, first as the endearing Putti in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello and now with a regal and fierce grace as Princess Kanakavathi in the box-office phenomenon Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1, is currently riding a wave of success. As the festive season approaches, the Bengaluru-based actress opens up about the significance of Deepavali, revealing cherished memories and the simple rituals that light up her heart.

For Vasanth, whose career has taken a soaring trajectory across different cinematic worlds, the Festival of Lights is fundamentally about the comfort of familiarity and a profound sense of home. She shared in a recent conversation that, despite her demanding schedule, if she gets a couple of days off, her priority is heading home to indulge in all the sweets and soak in the perennial warmth of her family’s celebrations.

“There’s something really comforting about it—the familiarity, the little rituals, the same laughter, the same aromas,” Vasanth noted. “I think that’s what makes it special every year, the fact that it feels the same, in the best way possible.”

The Glow of the Earthen Lamp

The essence of Deepavali for Vasanth is beautifully encapsulated in a simple, traditional ritual: “My favourite thing to do during the festival has always been lighting lamps around the house with my mom. The way their soft, warm glow fills every corner of the house. There’s something so peaceful and beautiful about that. It feels like the heart of Deepavali for me.” This emphasis on the traditional deepas (earthen lamps) over louder celebrations highlights a preference for introspection, peace, and the timeless beauty of the festival’s spiritual core.

The actress recounted a particularly fond childhood memory that illustrates her early connection to the festival’s creative side. Around the age of 10 or 11, her mother, Bharatanatyam exponent Subhashini Vasanth, took her to Malleswaram in Bengaluru to buy nearly 150 clay deepas. Overwhelmed with enthusiasm, the young Rukmini decided to meticulously paint every single one. The project turned into a shared family activity, with visiting relatives joining in. The hand-painted, wax-filled lamps were then gifted to friends and guests, a sweet reminder of the collective joy found in creating something beautiful together.

The Inner Light and New Beginnings

Deepavali, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, holds a deeper philosophical resonance for Vasanth. She believes the festival is a powerful reminder to “look forward to new beginnings and come out from the dark.” It signifies an inward journey, using the external rituals to encourage an inner awakening and reflection on the blessings in one’s life. This sentiment aligns perfectly with her personality, often described as a blend of artistic grace and grounded resilience—qualities undoubtedly influenced by her upbringing as the daughter of the late Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, a posthumous recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military honour.

From the quiet contemplation of lighting the deepas to the joyous chaos of family gatherings, Rukmini Vasanth’s Deepavali is a celebration rooted in tradition, family, and the enduring hope for the future. Her success on the silver screen has certainly added an external glow to her life, but as her festive memories reveal, the true light for her shines brightest right at home.