Garba - the lovely Navratri dance

Garba is a form of dance that originates from Gujarat and is traditionally performed during Navratri.

Garba Deep (a small earthenware lamp) or an image of Amba, the Goddess, is placed in the center and the dancers perform the dance in concentric circles around this central object.

Garba is a spiraling dance and has circular movements. The image of Goddess Amba or the lamp in the center is treated as the object of worship. The dancers bend sideways at every step with grace as their arms meet each other in sweeping movements. Each such gesture ends in a rhythmic clap.

Do you love Garba?

Hi Shalini, I see that in spite of you being from Mathura, you have have fair knowledge of Garba. Taame Gujarati cho? Or you have been here during Navratri?

Although Garba is performed in every house, housing societies and community ground in Gujarat in every cities and towns; doing garba in Ahmedabad has its own charm. Young men and women, Girls and Boys dressed in their Navratri finery - Women wear bright coloured Chaniya Cholis and men wear Kedias. Chaniya Cholis are hand embroidered and embedded with mirrors, shells and heavy ethnic jewellery.

You are right Garba originated from Garba deep. In fact it is called 'Garbo' in the villages of Gujarat. Singing & Dancing around the Garbo is called Garba.

We dance the night away all those 9 days of Navratri; although its fun the last 3 days when the momentum builds up. Because more the people more the fun.

What do you people do? Let me know ........