Mar 17, 2026 3:32pm IST
Lakshmi Manchu lavishly celebrated her daughter, Vidya Nirvana’s ‘Half Saree ceremony’ (EXCLUSIVE)
It is an emotional moment for every mother when her teen daughter makes her first foray into womanhood. The first menstrual cycle heralds the beginning of a journey into early adulthood, transforming her life both mentally, physically and emotionally. This stage of a woman’s life is traditionally celebrated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The girl’s family hosts a 'Half Saree ceremony' as it is termed. inviting friends and relatives, to announce their daughter’s coming-of-age moments, amid celebration and ceremony.
In an exclusive chat with Variety India, actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu shares details about this momentous occasion, providing never-seen-before pictures from the personal function.
Excerpts from the interview.
Can you explain the custom and its significance for our readers?
In the Telugu tradition, the Half-Saree ceremony is a beautiful rite of passage. It marks the moment a young girl begins her journey from childhood into a more graceful, aware stage of life. It is not about age alone; it is about community, culture, and the gentle guidance of elders. Families gather to bless the girl, drape her in the half-saree for the first time, and offer ashirvadam (blessings) for her future. For me, it is a reminder that traditions are really stories we pass down through generations, stories that tell our daughters who they are and where they come from.
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What kind of preparation goes into this event? Are there any special delicacies served?
Oh, the preparation is almost as joyful as the ceremony itself! There is a lot of love that goes into every detail from selecting the half-saree, the jewelry, and the flowers, to decorating the home and inviting family and friends who have watched the child grow. In our culture, food is an expression of love, so the spread is always special. Traditional dishes like pulihora, garelu, boorelu, payasam, and festive sweets are usually served. It becomes a celebration of family, culture, and togetherness. For me, the highlight was the commissioned painting by Ramesh Gorjala of a mother and a child that I gave as return gifts.
The Telugu community keeps this tradition alive despite chatter about such customs being regressive. Your take?
I believe traditions should never be misunderstood as limitations. When practiced with love and respect, they become celebrations of identity. The Half-Saree ceremony is not about restricting a girl….it is about celebrating her, honouring her growth, and surrounding her with blessings. Culture evolves, of course, but preserving certain rituals keeps us rooted. For me, there is nothing regressive about celebrating where we come from. And if you ask me, we need to celebrate the women of our country in her live form, more than we celebrate our idols.
Do you think we have become far too modernized today?
Modernity and tradition don’t have to be opposites. I believe they can beautifully coexist. Sometimes in our rush to move forward, we forget that our roots are what ground us. Culture gives us identity, language and a sense of belonging. Being modern doesn’t mean discarding the past, it means understanding it, honouring it and carrying it forward in ways that feel meaningful today. My whole concept for the event was picking a place that has all the natural elements. Ridhira resort is where the sun, moon, stars, space, water, earth all came together.
What was your daughter Vidya's reaction about the ceremony?
Vidya was thrilled! For her, it felt like stepping into a fairytale. The colours, the jewellery, the attention from family… it all felt magical to her. What touched me the most was seeing how proud she felt wearing the half-saree and being surrounded by so much love and blessing. And my win-win point was when I asked her to write 20 of her favourite things, so I can incorporate those elements in the design decor and her gifting there was no iPhone, iPad or television. That’s when I realised this is good parenting.
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