Navratri is round the corner and shopping for ‘dandiya’ ensemble has picked up in the twin cities. New stocks of traditional ‘kedia’ and ‘ghagra’ sets have arrived in city stores retailing these dresses, in festive hues of red, green, yellow and maroon.
“We source them from Anjar and Bhuj region in Kutch where the women do the embroidery, mirror work and cowries detailing. The patterns change every year such as the frills and ‘tikli’ border that’s new this year. These can be seen in the television serials ‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma’ and ‘Ek Dusre Se Karte Hain Pyar Hum’ on the television,” says S.K. Shah of Kutch Kala Darshan, Sultan Bazaar. The 25-year-old store in the Hanuman Vyayam Shala Complex stocks traditional attire, jewellery and ‘dandiya’ sticks.
Prices
The traditional ‘bandhini’ and ‘leheriya’ ghagras in cotton, satin and a more dressy brocade range between Rs. 800 and Rs. 7,000, while the ‘kedia’ is priced Rs. 850 onwards. There are costumes for toddlers as well. “The festival has become cosmopolitan today with everyone in the twin cities participating in the ‘dandiya’ and ‘garba’,” says Sheetal, a customer.
Various competitions held as part of the ‘dandiya’ event organised at various places in the city is an occasion to jazz up.
“People from the city even go to Mumbai and buy dresses for nine days. There are many prizes to be won such as ‘best dress’, ‘best dance’ and so on. So everyone goes all out to put their best foot forward,” says Sushil Kapadia, a businessman.
And for those who want to wear a ‘kedia’ or ‘ghagra’ for a day, there is P. Babu Rao’s store in Badi Chowdi that offers ‘ghagra’ sets on hire for Rs. 250-Rs. 400 per day. The shop will be getting new stock for the season shortly. The store also rents jewellery – waistband, necklace, earrings and anklets for ‘dandiya’.
