Devotion for the elders, devotion for the divine, devotion for the happening. Romantic representations for the youth, religious themes for the older, philosophy and arts for the learned. Goddesses for the assurance of wealth and prosperity for the business minded joining Goddesses of power and strength for the weak and Goddessess of wisdom for the unaware, in being worshipped by clapping circles and battles with sticks All wrapped up in fun and laughter. Something for mostly all, especially the adorned princesses, the prancing princes, not to mention some glittering queens
Apart from the joy of the dancers, the non dancing audience, can if they are well looked after, bring a great deal of joy and appreciation to the event. According to the heritage of Garba, the onlookers are an integral and important part of the spectacle. The audience also has to be saturated with the radiant devotion and excitement of the event The people who engage in Garba and Raas have different and diverse occupations and interests, varying beliefs and attitudes, however this dance and its music, are a unique and common embrace
Children are generally told to behave and keep still and their natural exuberance is dampened. JUST IMAGINE THE HORROR ! Children having fun, running around, jumping, twirling, and a leaping? God forbid ! Children do not generally get the chance to dance and prance in abundance. Children are full, of suppressed energy seeking release. That is why they like to play and jump around. Dancing is by far the best activity to release this energy as it allows them to express themselves freely without risk of harm.
Amongst the choices are of course Garba and Raas dances …
At which many children are flowing and fluttering beaming and grinning, smiling and playing, enthralled by the extravaganza, enchanted by the dancing, surprised at this devotion, gazing in wonder at the spectacle and splendour
all ages and sexes
Gujarat in India is the home of Garba and Raas. Every year Garba events are organised in vast grounds under the open sky, beneath radiant stars, under the gaze of glowing moons. The happenings go on till late, local politics permitting, and the resolve and buzz is there to continue dancing till the dawn rises for another day. Dances are also held in small villages, courtyards and stadiums and range from small gatherings of family and friends to events with upwards of 30000 people attending
Gujarati Communities all over North America organise Navratri Garba and Raas dances on a major scale in many cities.. Many of the Universities and colleges also have Raas Garba teams who compete nationally several times a yea
r in well organised competitions. The Dandiya Raas dance in North America has become hugely popular in the last twenty years and is usually staged in state wide competitions which has led to the dance being mixed and mingled with other forms of music and western themes and settings
Navratri happens at the onset of winter and the weather is damp and cold. The people having just enjoyed the summer months are preparing to stay in during the windy autumn nights. However most, if not all, Gujarati communities take the trouble to arrange Navratri events. The people, despite the cold weather, take the time and effort to attend, and despite the overcrowding they dance with passion and devotion
Garba and Raas generally take place at one time period in the year for seasonal and spiritual reasons. It is not very common knowledge that there are four times when Navratri could be celebrated. There is no reason why Garba and Raas dances, with or without elements of worship and devotion, may not take place
In India there are huge events which take place in large halls, stadiums and vast grounds and are held on a commercial basis, though in some instances a part of the profits may be donated to good causes. These events seek to attract the top garba performers and therefore the expenses of the events are quite substantial and these are recouped through high entry prices, advertisements and sponsorship. The people attending such events may have some link with the community and organisers, but generally they are open to all. The attendance at such events ranges from about 5000 to over 30,000 people.
Navratri time during the day Garba dances, though not usually Raas, take place in temples, small and large, and the participants are in the main women and mostly older ladies. The surroundings of the temple and its ambience lend a special sacred feeling to these daytime dances and these garbas have a special charm and the happening is far more devotional than the night time dances.
Up until the late 1980’s an evening of garba and raas dancing was considered an essential part of any Gujarati wedding. At weddings nowadays as there are several events such as musical nights and lavish receptions, the practice of holding a wedding Garba in Britain has sadly declined. This is regrettable as a Garba happening is the best occasion for bringing the guests of the bride and groom and their families in closer connection with each other. Often the couple will play garba and raas with their guests for most of the evenings.
At such events there is a practice of giving small gifts to all the girls and ladies who attend. In times past this would include some small item of stainless steel crockery, such as bowls and containers, engraved with the name of the familyGarbas when they are held, are held in suitable halls and a good deal of time attention and money is spent not only on the event but also on expensive garments, food and music. However even at relatively low cost these dances can make any wedding festivities much grander.
There are many community associations of Gujaratis in cities all over the world. These organisations do good work for the benefit of the community and at Navratri time, wherever possible they will arrange Garba and Raas dances even if it is just for a night or two rather than the full nine nights. There is a wide variety of such associations ranging from those of common religious affiliations, to groups of the same caste, to worldwide organisations such as the Lions Clubs.
dance everywhere without disturbing
The festivals of Navratri are supposed to be celebrated four times a year, usually on the following daysSET OUT DATES Prominence if given to the Navratri festival held in September/October which is known as Sharana Navratri. The other three Navratri are called Whilst these three occasions are not generally celebrated many temples and ladies gatherings will celebrate the occasions
One of the many reasons why these dances should take place frequently is to increase our familiarity with the dance, its melody and any message. Otherwise there is a danger that our talent, ability and enthusiasm all fade away is 36 days a year ! If not nine nights every three months, then perhaps three nights every month or whatever is reasonable
Starting with the symbolism of the womb, the great mother earth and the birth of the dancers. Then a dazzling circle of graceful movement bright and shining and a wonder Amazingly amazement is here The aarti that follows is a enchantment of devotion and sparkling lights Extra And to follow on then the sticks are taken up, the circle arranged , the clicking and sway begins, gently hard soft missed and at times comes along the Ramzanyu and the Fudadari
At Navratri time during the day Garba dances, though not usually Raas, take place in temples, small and large, and the participants are in the main women and mostly older ladies. The surroundings of the temple and its ambience lend a special sacred feeling to these daytime dances and these garbas have a special charm and the happening is far more devotional than the night time dances.
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At night, the events are held in a variety of places depending on what is available and affordable. The night time dances will include firstly Garba dances for the first half, followed by an Aarti and then Raas dances. In India there are mega events which take place in large halls and vast grounds and are held on a commercial basis, though in some instances a part of the profits may be donated to good causes.
The dances are best when some greater or lesser noble or ordinary cause is helped and supported. Dance happenings are a suitable way to raise funds and followers for projects which can help to make our world a better place. Support for worthy causes should be an essential element of most dance happenings, Money in donations, and money earned by providing worth and value to the participants, can be garnered in vast measure to help those in need.
In addition to donating people may feel an inner pull to become more involved with the cause by donating their time and skill as well. By volunteering, they have the opportunity to build their social circles while reaping the physical, mental and spiritual benefits from the effort contributed to the cause. Giving is part of the transcendence of dancing
A recent study by a Harvard Business School faculty titled “Feeling Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior," explores the ways in which charitable behaviour can lead to benefits for the giver. While the concept that giving to others can make one feel good about oneself is not revolutionary, there are several more subtle ways that giving money or time for a cause can benefit psychological, spiritual and emotional well-being.
they were previously uniformed. This knowledge may position them to help increase awareness of social problems among those in their sphere of influence from a balanced standpoint
When considering donating to a charity, many people tend to research the issues connected to that organisation. As a result, they become more aware of social injustices around the world. They may discover new points of view and opinions on topics about which they were previously uniformed. This knowledge may position them to help increase awareness of social problems among those in their sphere of influence from a balanced standpoint
In organising a dance happening one should see how best that event may help good causes and how people may be further inspired to continue the support of worthy projects. There are many elements which make dances suitable for raising substantial funds and other help for those in need. Dance is itself a fine education in learning about ourselves. Such awareness may lead to sympathy and empathy for others
This well prepared nourishment of many generations, the food served at garba and raas happenings has been carefully considered and created. The food is mainly a lot of small snacks and nibbles, easy to eat and digest and provides provide energy and stamina for the many hours of dancing that lie ahead
Garba is a rare gathering where food is not that important, there are snacks and constant grazing. Generally people have a few snacks before the dancing starts and the event is very much about the dance rather than the quality of the food. At many wedding garbas there is a full meal before the dancing starts.
The socialising and mingling nature of Garba and Raas dances are of great worth and value and their benefits cannot be overemphasised. Within a short time of your attending the event, you will start to connect with some and then assimilate and blend with many others pleasantly and easily. By the end of a Garba and Raas evening you will have connected with many others. If the event has been well organised, you will have clicked sticks and engaged with everyone who takes their place on the whirling dancing circles
Garba and Raas dances are relatively easy to do. After just a short while, within 15 minutes or less, you will easily pick up the basic steps and get into the rhythm and the harmony. You will pick up enough in this short space of time to make sure that your dance is not awkward or embarrassing, either to yourself or to others. With other dance forms it is not usually easy to achieve this level of mixing and mingling, even in a hall full of people known to each other.
This form of dancing smoothly takes your mind off many troubles, and soon releases you from part of the toils, troubles and worries of day to day life
Dancing with sticks allow you to take out the stresses while swim and hitting
The body then becomes balanced not only mentally but also physically
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. The time taken over the tune allows the dancers to be immersed in a symphony of spinning splendour
Garba and Raas Events are popular group bonding activities, which pleasantly nourish and and enchant. It should be obvious, even to a non believer, that there is sense and sensibility in this gathering and dancing
At Once companionship health bliss connections agility exercise romance relax