GUJARAT’S GARBA : a novel blend of culture,dance & tradition !
INDIA’S Gujarat state has the cultural richness and vivacity which can be seen in all the festivals celebrated all across the state. Navratri is one such festival that aptly galvanizes the natives of Gujarat into a state of euphoria and celebration. The festival continues for ‘Nine nights’ and features a free flow of devotion and ecstasy when millions of uniquely dressed devotees gather to pay their tribute to Mata Ambe; a manifestation of Goddess Adya Shakti and participate in the twirling & swirling dance moves of the famed Ras Garba/Dandiya Raas.
GARBA is a dance form originated in Gujarat, performed during Navratri – a 9-day festival of Goddess Durga. It is also known as Garbi, Garbha or Garbha Deep. In ‘Garbha Deep’, the word ‘Garbha’ is a Sanskrit term, which means womb and ‘Deep’ means little earthen lamps. It is usually performed in a circle around a big lamp or the statue of Goddess Shakti.
This dance form is often confused with Dandiya, which is another dance form of Gujarat performed during Navratri, but originated in Vrindavan. The major difference between the two dance forms is that this dance is performed in circular movements with hands and feet, while Dandiya is played with colorful sticks.
WHY IT IS CELEBRATED ~
Navratri is the time to celebrate the soil fertility and monsoon harvest, represented by a mound of fresh soil grown in which grains are sown. The soil is worshipped and watered for all the nine days of the festival. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami is celebrated. On Vijaadashami ,Puja is done to bless vehicles; also it is considered as an auspicious day to purchase one. Multiple fables and tales link the origin of the festival.
Apart from religious and traditional significance, during these nine days, people show their best moves and do the garba . On all days, an evening aarti is performed in which garbi, a tradition earthen a port with diyas is used that signifies prosperity. After the aarti, all the people gather and put their best foot forward for garba and dandiya dance. Garba is a dance form in which the crowd moves together in a synchronized circular movement. Seeing people dancing in tune with outfits of gold and silk is a sight to behold.
GARBA COSTUME ~
While the dancers perform in colorful costumes to the rhythm of a dhol or a drum, the men and women look vibrant and full of life in their attires. Women wear Chaniya Choli – a traditional Gujarati three-piece outfit comprising Choli or a Blouse, a Chaniya, which is a long flared skirt and an embellished dupatta. Chaniya Choli is characterized by their colorful designs and the embroidery or the mirror work done on them. The whole costume is teamed up with Silver or Black Metal Necklaces, Big Earrings, Kamarband, Bajuband, Maang Tikka and Juttis. The men who perform the Garba wear a Kediyu – a short round Kurta along with Kafni Pajamas along with a Pagdi on their head, and Mojri or Nagras.
Gujarat Navratri Rituals
Few Rituals that are followed in Gujarat are listed below ~
On each night of the ‘Navratri’ festival, the natives at the various cities and villages of Gujarat gather at their neighborhood to perform puja in honor of one of the 9 mother Shakti forms.
During the times of Navaratri, it is also a tradition in the state to pay tribute to monsoon harvest and fertility by setting up a mound-like structure with fresh soil into which food grains are painstakingly sown. This mound of soil is nurtured and watered regularly for all the nine days.
Every evening aarti is performed before the goddess and a typical earthen pot called Garbi with many diyas is used for the purpose.
Performers don their best attires made out silk, sequin, glass works, appliqué, and gold threads and so the entire sights and sounds of the festival are characterized by lots of bling.
Spectacles like dancing with lit flames or with swords is a common thing during the Navratri celebrations at Gujarat.
THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY NAVRATRI IN GUJARAT ~
Khodiyar Mandir; Bhavnagar, Chamunda Mata mandir; Chatila, Ashapura Mata-no-Madh; Kutch are some of the most notable Gujarat temples where the most exotic manifestations of the Navratri festival can be seen.
