Navratri, the world’s longest dancing festival, is all set to begin on October 3. Gujarat is soaked in festive spirit, and garba revellers across the state are eagerly waiting to sway to the beats of the dhol. Although rain spoiled some pre-Navratri garba celebrations in different parts of the state, people remain hopeful that they will dance to their heart’s content in the coming week.
Garba, a traditional dance form performed during Gujarat’s Navratri festival, has indeed evolved over time while preserving its deep cultural roots. The dance is a celebration of Goddess Amba and spans nine nights, drawing upon songs that reflect various aspects of life, from joy to sorrow, the changing seasons, and the cycle of life.
Garba’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a testament to its significance as both a cultural and spiritual expression. This inscription not only honours the tradition but also brings international recognition to the artistic and ritualistic elements that have been passed down through generations.
The songs accompanying garba, often celebratory, are laden with themes of devotion, social commentary, and personal emotion. Garba singers and scholars view the dance as more than just festivity—it’s an important cultural form for expressing complex human emotions.
The festival, starting on Thursday and concluding on Dussehra, shows how traditions stay alive and adapt to contemporary contexts. The traditional form of garba is known to emphasise vocals and lyrics, accompanied by dhol beats and traditional instruments like the manjira (cymbals) and the khanjri (tambourine).
Ahmedabad’s Law Garden market saw people jostling to get their share of bright, colourful chaniya cholis, oxidised jewellery, hair accessories, and bandhani dupattas from different stalls.
Namrata Shah, a college student, says, “I love the whole experience of coming to Law Garden for my Navratri shopping. I don’t mind the crowd, the sweat, and the bargaining. The whole place gives a fabulous festive feeling. I’m happy I found the chaniya choli I was looking for.”
Many are busy planning their Navratri outings with friends. While some love to play garba in their housing society complex, others prefer large garba venues to dance in groups. Some choose to attend university or college garbas, enjoying the opportunity to celebrate with classmates.
Interestingly, many professionals in Ahmedabad and Vadodara return to their alma mater during Navratri to relive the heady mix of garba revelry and nostalgia. “I love going back to my institute to enjoy Navratri with my batchmates. Some even come from Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. It brings back memories of unadulterated garba revelry during our early college years,” says Nitin Joshi, a graphic designer.
Navratri is also a time to strike the perfect work-life balance. Some garba enthusiasts travel from Ahmedabad to Vadodara every night to enjoy the traditional celebrations in the Banyan City. Sejal Daval, a young professional, travels to Vadodara after work to experience Navratri at the city’s magnificent venues, which celebrate the festival with all the essence of tradition.
“Nothing matches the magic of Navratri celebrations in Vadodara. The city celebrates the festival in its purest form. You will never hear remix music at garba venues in Vadodara. I have beautiful memories of listening to Atul Purohit’s soulful music.” When asked how she manages the daily travel and work, she laughs.
“Well, I’ve been managing it well for quite a few years now. Yes, I do get sleep-deprived, but the Navratri adrenaline rush keeps me going. I just hope the rains don’t act as a spoilsport this year because Vadodara saw heavy rain over the weekend.”
For Gopi Jadeja, a young professional based in Ahmedabad, life revolves around planning for Navratri months in advance. “We are a group of seven friends, and we coordinate our outfits for Navratri. We also attend garba classes to get an idea of the latest dance trends. We visit garba venues as a group on all nine nights.”
As some express concern over the possibility of rain disrupting the festivities, garba organisers are hopeful that the skies will remain dry in the days ahead to ensure mega Navratri celebrations across the state.
After all, there’s nothing like the magic of people swaying to the beats of the dhol.
Deepika Sahu has been a journalist for 29 years and she has worked with some of India’s leading media houses. Right now, she is independently engaged in content creation and curation. Twitter: @menondeepika, Instagram@moodydeepika, Facebook: Deepika Sahu
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#Navratri begins on 3 Oct, igniting #Gujarat's festive spirit! #Garba dancers are eager to sway to the dhol beats, despite rain disrupting earlier celebrations. How are you preparing for this vibrant festival? 🥳💃🎶🌧️✨ #TheIndianSun @menondeepikahttps://t.co/1jznT1yEea
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