JOIN USHeading for the Navratri celebrations with her family in Pitampura, Neepa Upadhya is ecstatic. Fourteen-years ago when she got married in Delhi, this Gujarati lass thought that it was an end to the extravagant and large-than-life Gujarati Navratri back home.
“Not anymore,” says Neepa, adding, “If you miss out on the two-day-long festivities in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya and Gulmohar Park Club, then go for the one’s at Gujarati Apartment in Pitampura and Gujarati Vihar where they organise Garba raas and Dandiya throughout these nine days.
People from a mixed milieu come and enjoy the festivities. It’s even more fun to celebrate it with Punjabis, Maharashtrians and Rajasthanis here.” Metrolife finds out what all goes into getting the ‘perfect’ look for this glittering and tantalising festival, celebrated with full gusto in the Capital.
Bhoomi Badoni, an 18-year-old starts her Navratri shopping two months in advance. “I visit Ahmedabad around June and that’s when all my cousins shop as well. We have paired up normal skirts and brocade blouses with different coloured dupattas for Navratris this year.” Bhoomi has also laced-up her Dandiya and bought holed up metallic dandiyas for spinning them around during dance.
While Bhoomi’s shopping plans are concentrated in Gujarat, Neepa doesn’t manage to get time to travel every year. “There’s a full-fledged lane dedicated to Gujaratis behind Janpath. All you need to have is an eye to get the best channiya cholis with lehriya and bandhej prints. Kuchchi work tops the list for lehengas. For men, we have picked up the best kediyas (topwear) from the same markets.”
Out in the market, designers have also come up with exciting twists to their collections as well. Heena Malhotra, a designer for Chhabra 555, says, “Ma Durga’s footprints, mythological figures and sermons can be seen on our collection. This gives a chance to a wearer to escalate their spiritual experience. In addition to this, small to large contemporary motifs are ruling our collection.”
Andree Pouliot, creative director, Soma Blockprints also gives a peek into her collection, saying, “A complete look includes coordinated blockprinted ghagaras, blouses and dupattas, as well as Jaipur jewellery, brocade bags and beaded slippers. We've created custom hand-printed designs on pure cotton to celebrate the season in vivid reds, greens and golds.”
With so many options to pick from, do not miss out on the Garba raas this season. Entry to almost all the venues is free for Gujaratis, with a nominal fee of rupees 200
for others.