Garba for a Rescue !

Another Navratri ended with great celebrations around. The energy and involvement that this festival brings in, will never diminish ever. It binds people for nine days among belief and love towards religion, culture and happiness. If you happen to be non-follower, you still do not miss people around you talking about it every time. Either you have a Bong friend talking about Pujo preparations or a Gujju friend who is all set to buy new costume for dandiya nights and even North Indian friend who is atleast fasting. If you still happen to miss anyone of these, you will surely not miss girls and women wearing same color chudidar's / Sarees. Now there is this pre-decided colors for every day. Like this time it was Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Orange, White, Red, Purple, Pink. (Its wrong to ask "How do women have dress of all colors when all they like is Pink ?" ). There so much packed in this festival that you are connected to it somehow.


While I do have a strong connection with Navrati. Infact I have noteworthy feat to my developed skills due to this festival. As I spoke about feat... I must confess - I had two left feet. Until age 17-18,  I never danced in public. Not even in family gathering or at home. I just couldn't give chance to embarrass myself. Well my sister was a great dancer. I mean, she could match all good bollywood dance numbers and even performed on stage.

And all I remember two instances I danced in public. Once, in my school, when I was in 1st Standard, our teacher choreographed steps for us 6 students standing in rows and just lifted our bodies by lifting heels on some weird poetry. Yes, we had our hand movement synchronized only to ensure we don't hit each other. I still remember I had almost nervous breakdown at such a small age facing big crowd on school ground. I escaped embarrassment only because my bladder wasn't full.

On second occasion, when I was in around 7th Class and we visited to a marriage ceremony in Dhabol, one of the most amazing place in Maharashtra. This is same place, which Social Activitist Megha Patkar kicked off Enron Company from project. Since wedding was of one women from our society complex, almost many of families from our complex travelled there. I danced during post marriage ceremony for almost 3-4 hours showcasing all my skills of a Ghati-Dancer. Yes some may call it Ganapati dance too ! Well no one said anything to me then. But the biggest embarrassment happened when we watched the wedding tape back in Mumbai with more audience from our society who did not even join for wedding. It turned out to be laughter show while everyone pointing out to most funniest dancer. No guess.... I won of course.

Well that's then, and I vowed I will never spoil the party.

Just then we shifted to new base. I was around 18 then.Within 2-3 month time period as new residents, it was first Navratri. Obviously with  new friends I wandered around to watch the dandiya. This new base had Navratri right in locality, unlike previous residence, where Navratri nights were far places. Friends insisted me to join, but they didn't see the WARNING I intended to give them through my constant denials.

The best part of the this Garba group was they only played hand garba (Garba without Dandiya - Sticks). That made me concentrate more on their foot steps. Note this, feets on right place is a mantra to be good dancer. They have to land naturally to right co-ordinate, in a right angle, in right speed with right note of the music. WOW ! I discovered science behind this dance in just 3 days of watching. I decided - "Thats not tough.... Yes, I can do it !"

Next day, armed with my rajasthani mojdi, I reached the location on time. My friends joined the first circle to kick start. I watched it for some time and making tough fight with my mind, with trembling legs, I joined in between two of my friends, covering my fear with wide smile reaching my ears.

Now this is funny ! At your first time, you just walk to catch the already playing Garba  to catch the rhythm, the steps, the claps. Well nobody told me that. So while I danced ahead, people danced backwards... and when I danced backward people danced forward. I stepped on my friends feet in this all confusion. Believe me,  nobody told me to remove my footwear too ! Now since I had done all the damage to my "reputation", I didn't bother and continued copying my friend's steps in forward and then while moving back copying the friend behind.

O la ! 4 days it took and I was all gliding in air on every beat of famous dance numbers, right from "Pankhida" to "Dholida" to "O naam re". It was treasure discovered for life time. Since then for almost 5 years I never missed Garba nights.

With Garba to rescue, I learned to shake a leg even on bollywood numbers or two, in casual parties. I strongly promote Garba to my friends with "two left feet" even today. Infact, friends in parties who shy away from dancing, I invite them to join for Garba Dance on Akon numbers. ( Ha ha.. now you think I really spoil the party !)

But its almost 10-11 years now, haven't been to a single Garba Night. All I ask is "Guys anyone got a pass for any Dandiya nights". Its not about finding a place or free pass, its about somebody pulling me again and say "Come on, tap your feets for a Garba". Again, times have changed when every Navratri night was till 12 midnight. Now its even difficult to get a glimpse on a working day, as they windup by 10 PM.

While I still show some of my Ghatidance steps in casual parties, I wish next year I may get motivated for a dandiya night atleast as a 9 days weight loss program.. ha ha .

I leave you with this  video who still need a rescue operation like I had. Thanks.

Categories: #UpBeatDance, dance, festival, Garba, Navratri