<p>The folk dance of garba grips Gujarat for nine nights during Navratri. Though it is very popular, it is one among the many dance forms of Gujarat. The state is rich in art, culture, traditions, fairs and festivals. Traditional and vibrant, the folk songs, dance and theatre suit every occasion when both men and women sing, dance and enact with much gaiety. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Accompanying these folk forms is the music from traditional musical instruments like dhol, dholak, harmonium, flute and manjira among others. <br /><br />During the occasion of Navratri, when Goddess Durga is worshipped, the folk dances of garba and dandiya raas, however, remain the most popular. Not only Gujaratis, but even non-Gujaratis across the world are increasingly performing these colourful and rhythmic dances with much enthusiasm.<br /><br />The genesis of the word ‘garba’ is the Sanskrit ‘garbha’, meaning womb. During Navratri, each night a pious prayer to Goddess Durga is followed by women dancing in circles around a ‘garbo’, which is a perforated earthen pot illuminated by an earthen lamp placed inside. The entire garba is a symbolic representation where the lamp signifies life and the dancers in circular orbit represent the cyclical nature of life and death in Hinduism. It signifies that only the mother goddess is constant in an ever-changing world. The earthen lamp also represents the divinity within human beings.<br /><br />There are different types of garba like Mataji Garba, Krishna Garba and Lok Garba. The ancient form of garba also involves props like earthen lamps, manjira, earthen pots, fire torches, sieve, grinding sticks and supada among other daily use items in an agrarian community.<br /><br />Among the many cities of Gujarat, Vadodara takes pride in hosting the most traditional garba. The dress code for garba is chania-choli for women and kediyu-kafnis, aangrakha-dhotis or traditional kurta for men. Dancers look resplendent in brightly coloured attire embellished with beads, shells, mirrors, stars and elaborate embroidery. Women adorn themselves with oxidised jewellery, bindis, chudas (large bangles), maangtika and anklets while men don bandhani pagdis (turbans), traditional caps, mojris and bandhani odhni. The tradition of sheri garbas, performed in neighbourhoods, is also thriving here. <br /></p>
<p>The folk dance of garba grips Gujarat for nine nights during Navratri. Though it is very popular, it is one among the many dance forms of Gujarat. The state is rich in art, culture, traditions, fairs and festivals. Traditional and vibrant, the folk songs, dance and theatre suit every occasion when both men and women sing, dance and enact with much gaiety. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Accompanying these folk forms is the music from traditional musical instruments like dhol, dholak, harmonium, flute and manjira among others. <br /><br />During the occasion of Navratri, when Goddess Durga is worshipped, the folk dances of garba and dandiya raas, however, remain the most popular. Not only Gujaratis, but even non-Gujaratis across the world are increasingly performing these colourful and rhythmic dances with much enthusiasm.<br /><br />The genesis of the word ‘garba’ is the Sanskrit ‘garbha’, meaning womb. During Navratri, each night a pious prayer to Goddess Durga is followed by women dancing in circles around a ‘garbo’, which is a perforated earthen pot illuminated by an earthen lamp placed inside. The entire garba is a symbolic representation where the lamp signifies life and the dancers in circular orbit represent the cyclical nature of life and death in Hinduism. It signifies that only the mother goddess is constant in an ever-changing world. The earthen lamp also represents the divinity within human beings.<br /><br />There are different types of garba like Mataji Garba, Krishna Garba and Lok Garba. The ancient form of garba also involves props like earthen lamps, manjira, earthen pots, fire torches, sieve, grinding sticks and supada among other daily use items in an agrarian community.<br /><br />Among the many cities of Gujarat, Vadodara takes pride in hosting the most traditional garba. The dress code for garba is chania-choli for women and kediyu-kafnis, aangrakha-dhotis or traditional kurta for men. Dancers look resplendent in brightly coloured attire embellished with beads, shells, mirrors, stars and elaborate embroidery. Women adorn themselves with oxidised jewellery, bindis, chudas (large bangles), maangtika and anklets while men don bandhani pagdis (turbans), traditional caps, mojris and bandhani odhni. The tradition of sheri garbas, performed in neighbourhoods, is also thriving here. <br /></p>
