Evolution of Garba.

 Garba is a traditional folk dance which originated at the state of Gujarat in India . Garba is the most popular women's folk dance. Garba is performed during the nine-day hindu festival - Navratri , Holi , Basant Panchami , Sharad panchami and various other festivals .Its origin seems to be from the tribal wandering about for hunting. Since people earlier didn't know how to communicate they used the dance forms to express themselves .There was no particular step or dance move they randomly use to dance by moving their hands back and forth.  Since hunting was a life

and death situation in earlier times, the tribal community celebrated through this dance form. There has been several changes in the dance pattern and today it is famously known as Garba .Some scholars also believed that garba was an agricultural dance form adapted from the tribal community , the farmers use to perform this dance form after harvest for the year was collected .This dance form was a way to express their happiness .     The religious history of Gujurat suggests that people followed Shakti worship.Later on,with the coming of Krishna ,Vaisnavism came to Gujurat .And as a result of these two major faiths , a new artistic from evolved Garba and Rasa . As Krishna was shepherd , the Rasa is essentially associated with agricultural cycle. It is performed on important festivals connected with sowing and reaping of grain. They are performed mostly by women and often complex designs of lotus, serpent , Nataraja are created while dancing in a circle.   

  There was a time when the dance forms were used to educate people about the festival and its mythological importance but today things have changed. With changing times, when 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. 

      Earlier, Garba used to be played in every nook and corner of the street, but today it has become a glam event filled with the best in fashion, food, events and dance. 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.