Changing face of garba.

        Navratri is a festival which comes with a promise of fun, dance and festivities all around. It is one of those festival where people enthusiastically wait to celebrate. Navratri not only symbolises the victory of good over evil (Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasur) but also celebrates the spirit of Indian culture in its togetherness.
      
  Garba or Dandiya, are dance forms which were earlier only performed in Gujarat, but have now become very popular across the country. There was a time when these two dance forms were used to educate people about the festival and its mythological importance but today things have changed. With time, everything has become commercial, Garba events have also changed. The once social event has now become more of a commercial affair. With large business organisations and event management companies investing a handsome amount in the so-called Garba nights, it has become a grand affair around the country.

Poster of Garba night

Earlier, Garba used to be played in every nook and corner of the street, The performers carry pots on their heads while dancing. They move in circles performing to the beats of devotional songs sung in praise of the Goddess. The term Garba is derived from the word ‘Garbhadip’ meaning a lamp inside an earthen pot. Sometimes the pot is filled with water and sometimes an earthen lamp is lit inside it, but today it has become a glam event filled with the best in fashion, food, events and dance.Gradually the traditional form has been replaced by the modern format, that has come from the transformation of the dance forms Garba and Raas Dandiya into a highly fuelled disco version combining the two forms that matches the beats of the filmy tunes of the garba songs, belted out by DJs. Garba and Dandiya nights these days are all about big stars visiting the event, delicious food, designer clothes and glamour. The dance element is sometimes lost in the glamour of the stars and people come to the venue more for the star then the festival.

Despite things changing and turning the commercial way, it is a beautiful feeling to go with your family and attend the colourful and vibrant Garba nights during the Navratri festival.

 Popular in the cities it has now percolated slowly down to nearby towns and semi-urban areas. Once restricted to Gujarat, the modern format has spread to all corners of the country and shores overseas especially promoted by a youth population looking for fun and frolic.