Yuletide memories

Andrew Kishore (L) and Kallyan Coraia (R)Photo: Jamil Mahmud

Andrew Kishore, Singer
I was born and raised in Rajshahi, and spent some wonderful childhood years there. Those carefree times make me nostalgic. Every year during Christmas, I look back at those days and reminisce the great moments.
When I was young, I used to look for gifts under the pillow on Christmas Eve, as the gifts were always left there by my parents.
We were a middle-income family and we would be happy with whatever gifts my father would get us. Interestingly, instead of eating at home on Christmas, we would visit a nearby community center and join the Christmas feast there.
Plenty of games were arranged in those days, and I also participated in some of them. I also used to enjoy the special plays being staged on the occasion.
Each year I waited for Christmas to come. It was the day for us to celebrate and make merry.
Certain responsibilities came with age. Even after moving to Dhaka, I used to visit Rajshahi on Christmas. However, that regular practice changed over the years. The past few years, I've been outside the country, performing at concerts, on Christmas.
My son, who studied in England, has now come back home, but my daughter is now studying abroad. Although the whole family cannot get together on Christmas, the day is still a happy occasion for me.
My plan for this Christmas is to arrange a get together for the whole family and pray for the welfare of everyone.
Kallyan Coraia, Actor
I grew up in Lautia village, under Pabna district. As a child, I would be at the Christmas celebration in Mothurapur Mission, which was near our home. Those days are still fresh in my memory. Each Christmas, I eagerly anticipated new clothes as gifts, which always made me very happy.
A Christmas fair was arranged near our village mission. My friends and I made all necessary preparations for exploding firecrackers on the occasion. We also used to enjoy hymns that were performed.
Another thing that was very important to us was to collect homemade pitha and cakes from other Christian households. It was a fun thing that we did together.
After moving to the capital, everything became Dhaka-centric. I usually do not keep shooting schedules on Christmas day. I spend time with my family, go to the church and spend time with my friends.
I've arranged a small get-together on Christmas Eve where all my close friends will come. This Christmas, I will pray for my country and its citizens. I hope Christmas brings good tidings for everyone.