Dash of dandiya and garba in Dasara celebrations in Bengaluru
The Hindu
Energetic rhythms of dandiya and garba have taken Bengaluru by storm, with a variety of clubs and dance academies hosting these festive gatherings at multiple locations across the city as a part of ongoing Dasara-Navaratri celebrations
The energetic rhythms of dandiya and garba have taken Bengaluru by storm, with a variety of clubs and dance academies hosting these festive gatherings at multiple locations across the city as a part of the Dasara-Navaratri celebrations.
Some dance instructors and event organisers are trying to move beyond the stereotype that dandiya and garba are confined to specific communities, while also trying to make the events more inclusive.
According to organisers, every event draws in at least a thousand persons from all walks of life.
Nimesh Chhag, a resident of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, who organises events in his locality, goes beyond teaching these dances. He is on a mission to share his love for dandiya and garba. “I used to organise grand dandiya nights right here in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. But now, my focus has shifted towards not only imparting dance lessons, but also introducing a diverse group of students to these traditions. Surprisingly, over 150 of my students are not of Gujarati origin.”
With more people showing interest, organisers and instructors are also getting more creative with their approach to these dances.
Manohar B.K. from Yelahanka, who has been an instructor of dandiya and garba for the past decade, consistently infuses a unique flavour to the festivities each year. “We spice things up with special garba, dandiya, folk dances, and even introduce nine colors of dance, where participants groove to nine distinct dance forms throughout Navaratri.”