This dance….
is called: Garba
Garba is a dance form native to the west Indian state of Gujarat, performed in October to honour the Hindu Deity of Divinity, Goddess Durga. Though Garba is mainly an event for the so calles Navaratri celebrations, this joyful folk dance is performed on almost every special occasion in Gujarat as a sacred tradition.
Societal relevance
The term Garba comes from Sanskrit meaning “womb” or “deep” and bears a deep symbolic interpretation. The dance celebrates fertility and is performed as a tribute to womanhood. Garba empowers people by preaching the presence of divine energy within every human being. Hundreds of people come together to one place and perform in groups with stunning pomp and ceremony.
Significance of Garba in Hinduism
Originally Garba dance is performed around a lantern, a vessel which represents the human body carrying the soul within. Dancers revolve around it in concentric circles, just how Hinduism depicts that time is a cycle, Garba showcases the infinite nature of birth, death and reincarnation. While the entire universe evolves and changes, Goddess Durga and her power within the souls of the dancers is eternal.
Garba in Indian Mythology
In Hindu mythology, when Goddess Durga defeated Evil, Navaratri was celebrated to commemorate her victory and Garba was an integral part of expressing the deity’s power. In the destruction she has caused on her venture for peace, her sword was the most propitious weapon in wielding rage onto the demons. Dandiya sticks used in Garba signify the goddess’ sword and invincibility.
Garba in Navratri Festival
Navratri is a Hindu festival, literally meaning “nine nights”. While this festival is celebrated in various ways across India, Gujarat follows the prime tradition of performing Garba dance for nine nights as a symbol of respect to the goddess. The dances commence late in the evening and go on till midnight. As per religious faith, men and women observe special diets throughout the nine days and nights of Navratri and consume restricted foods. Apart from Navratri, Garba is also performed during Holi, the spring festival, weddings, parties and social events.
Costume
While the dance is definitely the main focus, dressing up beautifully for it is also equally important. Garba introduces you to some of India’s most exquisite ethnic attires. It is mandatory to perform Garba barefoot. Hindus believe that this connects you with mother earth and the Goddess.The traditional costume for males is kediyu which consists of a kafni pajama, a round kurta and a turban embellished with sequins for the head. Women wear chaniya choli which is a three-piece dress with an intricately embroidered blouse with beads, tiny mirrors and shells, and a flared, long skirt with similar decoration. The dupatta or chuniya is an ornate piece of cloth draped around the head and chest by women. Both men and women adorn themselves with heavy silver-plated jewellery, sparkling waist belts, maang tika, chunky metal bracelets and jhumkas or hanging earrings. Bold eyeliner or kajal and bindis are equally important parts of the Garba look.
Music
In contrast to popular belief, Garba is not just about the dance. From ethnic Dandiya songs like Kanhaiya and O Gori to contemporary Bollywood Garba music, Gujarat introduces you to an array of upbeat music styles belonging to both urban and rural cultures. Dandiya sticks, commonly made from wood can be seen in pairs in the hands of all dancers, who wave the dandiya to choreography and create a rhythmic tempo. Professional artists play the dhol, drum and double-reed organs or shehnai, which are all Indian percussion instruments considered to be auspicious for the event. With modernization in the early 21st century, bongos, synthesizers, harmoniums and octapads are also easy to spot.
[1] Talks with Akshata Ramesh (Dancer from India)
[2] Holidify.com, Letzter Zugriff: 24.02.2022, https://www.holidify.com/pages/garba-in-india-5169.html
is called: Garba
Garba is a dance form native to the west Indian state of Gujarat, performed in October to honour the Hindu Deity of Divinity, Goddess Durga. Though Garba is mainly an event for the so calles Navaratri celebrations, this joyful folk dance is performed on almost every special occasion in Gujarat as a sacred tradition.
Societal relevance
The term Garba comes from Sanskrit meaning “womb” or “deep” and bears a deep symbolic interpretation. The dance celebrates fertility and is performed as a tribute to womanhood. Garba empowers people by preaching the presence of divine energy within every human being. Hundreds of people come together to one place and perform in groups with stunning pomp and ceremony.
Significance of Garba in Hinduism
Originally Garba dance is performed around a lantern, a vessel which represents the human body carrying the soul within. Dancers revolve around it in concentric circles, just how Hinduism depicts that time is a cycle, Garba showcases the infinite nature of birth, death and reincarnation. While the entire universe evolves and changes, Goddess Durga and her power within the souls of the dancers is eternal.
Garba in Indian Mythology
In Hindu mythology, when Goddess Durga defeated Evil, Navaratri was celebrated to commemorate her victory and Garba was an integral part of expressing the deity’s power. In the destruction she has caused on her venture for peace, her sword was the most propitious weapon in wielding rage onto the demons. Dandiya sticks used in Garba signify the goddess’ sword and invincibility.
Garba in Navratri Festival
Navratri is a Hindu festival, literally meaning “nine nights”. While this festival is celebrated in various ways across India, Gujarat follows the prime tradition of performing Garba dance for nine nights as a symbol of respect to the goddess. The dances commence late in the evening and go on till midnight. As per religious faith, men and women observe special diets throughout the nine days and nights of Navratri and consume restricted foods. Apart from Navratri, Garba is also performed during Holi, the spring festival, weddings, parties and social events.
Costume
While the dance is definitely the main focus, dressing up beautifully for it is also equally important. Garba introduces you to some of India’s most exquisite ethnic attires. It is mandatory to perform Garba barefoot. Hindus believe that this connects you with mother earth and the Goddess.The traditional costume for males is kediyu which consists of a kafni pajama, a round kurta and a turban embellished with sequins for the head. Women wear chaniya choli which is a three-piece dress with an intricately embroidered blouse with beads, tiny mirrors and shells, and a flared, long skirt with similar decoration. The dupatta or chuniya is an ornate piece of cloth draped around the head and chest by women. Both men and women adorn themselves with heavy silver-plated jewellery, sparkling waist belts, maang tika, chunky metal bracelets and jhumkas or hanging earrings. Bold eyeliner or kajal and bindis are equally important parts of the Garba look.
Music
In contrast to popular belief, Garba is not just about the dance. From ethnic Dandiya songs like Kanhaiya and O Gori to contemporary Bollywood Garba music, Gujarat introduces you to an array of upbeat music styles belonging to both urban and rural cultures. Dandiya sticks, commonly made from wood can be seen in pairs in the hands of all dancers, who wave the dandiya to choreography and create a rhythmic tempo. Professional artists play the dhol, drum and double-reed organs or shehnai, which are all Indian percussion instruments considered to be auspicious for the event. With modernization in the early 21st century, bongos, synthesizers, harmoniums and octapads are also easy to spot.
[1] Talks with Akshata Ramesh (Dancer from India)
[2] Holidify.com, Letzter Zugriff: 24.02.2022, https://www.holidify.com/pages/garba-in-india-5169.html
How to dance the dance
The folk dance events of Garba consist of different Gujarati dance forms unified to create a snap, clap, twirl style. According to the Gujarati language, taali Garba and tran taali Garba are the two types of the dance forms meaning 2-clap Garba and 3-clap Garba respectively. Moving counterclockwise, participants form concentric circles and each circle moves in opposite directions. Dancers begin with slow steps, gradually increasing the tempo while everybody’s feet merge into a trancelike state. Not only is this mesmerizing to watch, but each form has extremely easy steps meant for people of all skill levels, age and abilities. Garba is quite a rigorous workout too!
Here is a video that shows you the basic steps