India, March 19 -- Actor Mithila Palkar may embody the modern Indian woman, but festivals bring out her traditional side. Speaking on Gudi Padwa today, she says food is at the heart of every celebration in her home. "Most festivals in Indian households are associated with food, and that is the case with our house too. What to cook on the day is the most important question," she shares. While rituals like decorating the Gudi and tying a toran remain, it's the festive meal she looks forward to most. The 33-year-old adds that this marks her first Gudi Padwa since her nani's passing last year, and while she misses her, she has thought of a way to include her in the celebrations: "My nani was famous for her gul poli. Last year, before her passing, I tried to learn to make different dishes from her for every occasion, including modak, besan laddoo, karanji and gul poli... I was really proud of the end product, and an attempt will be made to make them again this year as a tribute to my nani, as it's our first without her." Gudi Padwa also means the opportunity to have a "second chance and new beginnings" for Mithila: "I am a very traditional person and as an ode to that, I feel from within that Gudi Padwa is a time to look forward and begin something new."...