Never seen before – the visual feat of Navratri – the original flavour of
Gujarat!
“Haalo Haalo”
It
was a worthwhile tour to Gujarat – purposefully made – to celebrate one of the
greatest festivals in India; also the longest running festival, not just in
terms of number of days involved but also the pomp and enthusiasm with which it
is celebrated.
It is
a visual treat to see the gaudy flash of colours and sparkle all around you and
so the excitement on the faces. This is what I concluded: people in Gujarat,
really take their festival sincerely and celebrate it whole heartedly too. Not
one person is at halt when the music is running aggressively. There has to be
non-breakable movement of the neck, the shoulders, the head, the arms, the
eyes, the torso, the legs…..you just get carried with the flow!
Days
are spent in hard core practice and nights are spent in presenting their
acquired talent. The excitement is displayed not just by participants or
dancers, but also by those who organize Garba
at the various venues spread across the city. There is no less excitement amongst
the teams of organizers, as they tirelessly sing and beat the drums in tune
with the dancing feet. I found myself absorbing the festival zing even as I
stood there, dumbfounded, and awestruck.
People
in costumes and get up look really cool…. They look so cute and beautiful.
Thin, fat, tall, slim, short, stout, young, old, tiny, huge – descriptions of
bodies don’t matter at all! Everyone looks the same in their own costumes –
handsome and gorgeous!
“Pankheedaaaa tu udi jaa re Pavagadh re……. pankheedaaaa….. ooo
Pankheedaaa….”
Appealing to a
messenger-bird to carry the message of my devotion to my beloved Goddess Amba
Maa. Yes, this is the only chance to get your prayers heard by your favourite
Goddess – Maa Amba or Maa Jagadamba! She will fill your heart and fulfill your
desires and wishes. She is pleased, she is happy, she is overwhelmed with emotions.
We offer her our prayers through our dance, our expressions; we offer her our
love, our devotion! What else can the Goddess ask for!
It is impossible – not to
get carried away to the beats of the consistent flow of music and rhythm.
“Pavadi laeine hun to Pavagadh gayi thi… Pavagadh Maa ne mane darshan
de…Nahi to mari pavadi paachi de…”
This
is the time when the entire Bharat worships female deities in various forms or avataars. It is overwhelming to see
Goddess Durga, looking at her devotees - seemingly engrossed in devotion and
music, a spring in their feet - with love & compassion in her eyes. She
stands gracefully and in elegance looking across at the huge display of colour
in front of her, colour that is constantly on the move.
I
am content with my decision to make the trip between the two States and enjoy
the festival of the nine nights to the fullest, in its original, unadulterated
flavour!
“Chalo chalo re garba ramva…chalo….garba ramva
jaiye…poonam ni raat che…sakhiyon no saath che…”
Let me share this visual
treat with the readers!
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