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introduction
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Words do not easily capture the vibrancy, the energy, the ecstasy and so much more of a Garba happening and its blissful blend of music and dance, glowing and flowing with grace and radiance. Every year around late September early October, Gujaratis all over the world dissolve and dazzle in dances of delight and devotion in their nine day festival of Navratri. These happenings are filled with the noise and swaying of people, the tinkling and jingling of the dancers and the delighted faces of the people amazed by the rapture.
In additional to its devotional aspects engaging in this circular and cosmic dance provides a wonderful chance for mixing and mingling with friends, families and our wider society and sustains a healthy and enjoyable way of refreshing and rejuvenating ourselves and the people around and about us. Garba and Raas are not restricted to Gujarat. They are danced wherever there are Gujaratis. They are not the exclusive preserve of Gujaratis either, they are a common enchantment for people over all continents and many places in between.
Garba and Raas are dances that take place every year over a period of nine nights known as Navratri. The word Garba has several meanings. It means a womb and also means a perforated pot which symbolises a womb. Garba is also the name given to the dance which is danced to songs, also known as Garba,
The Raas is a dance played with two sticks. The sticks are known as Dandiya. Raas is also known as Dandiya Raas or sometimes as just Dandiya. The players face each other in a large concentric circle or at times form smaller groups. The players facing each other, click their sticks with the other , in defined movements and then move on to the next facing player. The dancers may twist, turn and sway, and even change places, depending on their ability, enthusiasm and inclination. The Raas dance is performed and played by men and women together.
Nine divine days and nine dancing nights, full of passion, emotion and devotion. Navratri, which means nine nights, is a devotional and spiritual event. As the name suggests, Navratri takes place over a period of nine nights, during which various rites and rituals take place. The festival of Navratri falls four times a year, in line with the change of the seasons. However the majority of people usually only celebrate the main Navratri, known as Sharana Navratri, which occurs in late September or early October.
Garba and Raas dances are the most significant devotional element of Navratri for Gujarat and Gujaratis. These dances take place during the night amidst decoration and vibrant lights. The dances are danced by most women and a substantial number of men. Navratri is a mainly feminine occasion as this was the one occasion during which women could partake in acts or worship, as for many years religious rituals and practices were mainly male preserves
The primary significance of Navratri is the worship of the energy known as Shakti, which represents the power of the Divine Feminine. Shakti takes numerous forms, the three primary forms being Durga, Saraswasti and Lakshmi. These three Goddesses or Divine Mothers, also have various forms and manifestations which are known by several names and signify differing powers and energies.
they did so through their clothing, their adornment, their numerous shringaars, fasting in prayer and emotion, then engaging in dances of ecstatic motion, in blissful devotion
The songs and tunes for Garba and Raas are each twenty to thirty minutes long not just a few short minutes as is the case with most other dance music. The length of the tune is tailored so that the dance has a mellow beginning, a sumptuous middle and a rapturous ending. It is not over in a few shakes but has time to reach a crescendo allowing the dancers to be immersed in a symphony of spinning splendor.
There is also the power and might of the goddesses worshipped and the mock battles with sticks. All this wrapped up in fun and laughter. Something for mostly all, including the adorned garba princesses, the prancing princes, not to mention some glittering queens.
twirling , circling spinning
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