Navratri 2023: Unique Navratri of Gujarat
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Navratri 2023: In Ahmedabad, Garba is organized from streets to big grounds. Surat and Vadodara are also considered big strongholds of Garba. Vadodara’s ‘United Way Navratri Mahotsav’ has been breaking old records and creating new ones every year in terms of the number of participants.
During Navratri in Gujarat, seeing thousands of young men and women dancing and doing Garba to the sound of singers singing songs and hymns from the scaffolding stage in the middle of the circular pandal, echoing on the speakers, it seems as if the ocean is moving. This is such an amazing sight, whose emotions can only be felt, cannot be described. The word ‘Garba’ originates from ‘Garbha’. A woman creates new life in her womb, as a symbol of this, Shaktirupa Devi Amba is worshiped by lighting a lamp in a pitcher (Garbhadweep) with many holes and dancing around it. This dance was later called ‘Garba’.
Gujarat has also been the land of Shri Krishna and dancing of Krishna with Gopis is also a part of Indian culture, hence Dandiya is also performed during Navratri. In simple words, the dance which is performed with sticks in the hands is called Dandiya, and the dance which is performed without them is called Garba. The mixture of Garba and Dandiya Raas is called Garba-Raas.
Thousands of small and big Garba events are organized all over Gujarat. Officially, huge Garba events are organized by Gujarat Tourism in Ahmedabad and some other places. In Ahmedabad, Garba is organized from streets to big grounds. Surat and Vadodara are also considered big strongholds of Garba.
Vadodara’s ‘United Way Navratri Mahotsav’ has been breaking old records and creating new ones every year in terms of the number of participants. This Garba event is also very popular because of its main bhajan singer Atul Purohit. Every year, a large number of Gujaratis settled in the country and abroad come here on holidays during Navratri to participate in this Garba event with the desire to hear and see Atul Purohit.
Godhra’s ‘Maa Shakti Garba Mahotsav’ is also counted among the big Garba events of Gujarat. Apart from these, many social and business organizations also organize Garba. Among these, many events like Friends Garba, Bal Raas, Heritage Garba, Mirchi Rock and Dhol, Rajpath Club of Ahmedabad and Maa Shakti Garba, University Garba of Vadodara are known for their grandeur and uniqueness. In many of these events, not only Gujarat, but also famous singers, artists, DJs, music bands etc. associated with Mumbai or Mumbai films present programs. To attend big events, one has to buy tickets or passes at very expensive rates. In most events, girls still get entry alone, but boys do not get entry without a girl partner. For tickets, passes etc. to participate in these events or watch them, help can be taken from various websites available on the internet.
Gujarati youth start preparations months in advance to participate in Garba or Dandiya-Ras. In various cities of Gujarat, young men and women start preparations several days in advance either on their own or by taking the services of a choreographer. Many dance schools also teach Garba and Dandiya. There are also dance competitions in many Garba events, in which the youth try very hard to win. Apart from learning dance, youth also prepare for the costumes months in advance. Actually, Garba and Dandiya are allowed to be performed only in traditional attire. During this time, while girls wear chaniya-choli (lehenga-choli), boys dance in kediyu-kafni or kurta-pajama.
Apart from these, young men and women decorate themselves with different types of dupattas, turbans, mojri (shoes), earrings, nose rings, bindis, armlets, waistbands, bracelets, bangles, anklets, maang tikka etc. There is also a trend of getting different costumes made or renting them for nine days. Many shops, boutiques etc. provide dresses in all the cities of Gujarat. Since a lot of physical effort is required while performing Garba, the youth start practicing the dance long ago as well as paying attention to their fitness. Various types of food stalls are also set up in all Garba events.
Deepak Dua
‘Commentator’
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