I had the most idyllic childhood imaginable. We lived in a small town outside Calcutta called Kakinara. Our house had a huge garden and a lawn, which was like a tennis court. Tall trees flanked it and the river began where the trees ended. The whole scene seemed straight out of an Enid Blyton storybook. I feel sad for children living in big cities who have to live in concrete jungles and cannot connect with nature. This kind of life leads to stress and is not good for young minds. I feel lucky to have grown up in such a serene environment. It enabled me to connect with nature and this led to introspection. I grew up to be a sensitive person. Today, I am what I am because I grew up in a place which nurtured creativity.

I have a sister, Payel, who is seven years younger than me. We have always been the best of friends. In fact, we shared what I call a fantasy childhood. We would write poetry and sketch characters like talking squirrels. We would organise fashion shows and stage plays with our neighbourhood friends. We would use old curtains and my mother’s nighties and petticoats to create fashion garments.

My parents have been very encouraging and loving. My father has been more of a friend and is reasonable but it is my mother who pampered me a lot. We were disciplined as children and were serious about studies. I was a quiet child though and an introvert.

I studied at Sri Aurobindo Vidya Mandir at Chandannagar. School was on the other side of the river and everyday, it used to be a romantic journey to school, down the river in a boat. My school was equally picturesque with a huge courtyard. I would participate in all extracurricular activities.

The most memorable time used to be during Christmas when we would all be dressed in colourful clothes. At six ’clock, Santa Claus would come and give us gifts. There would be a bonfire and we would sing and dance around it.

During the nor’westers, it used to be fun going to the broken jetty at the edge of our school boundary. Seniors would sing popular songs and Rabindrasangeet. I also loved fishing and would catch lobsters in a little tank nearby.