Gujaratis in the city are set to celebrate Navaratri over the coming week with traditional fervour and nightly dance programmes that promise to add a dash of colour and gaiety to the religious occasion that symbolises the victory of good over evil (Goddess Durga’s defeat of demon-king Mahishasura).
Garba and Dandiya are two dance forms that are synonymous with Navaratri celebrations in Gujarat, and it has been so for the past three decades for the Gujarati community in Tiruchi as well.
This year, the Shree Gujarati Samaj will be hosting Dandiya Raas parties from October 13 to 21 from 10 p.m. to midnight for its members at its Gujili Street premises. The Patidar Samaj of Tiruchi will be organising Dandiya nights from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at its Paalpannai premises.
Jayantilal Vora, president, Shree Gujarati Samaj, told The Hindu: “This is an event that is open to young and old, and is a symbol of our unity. We are expecting a large number of people to attend this year.” The live band for the dance has been replaced by recorded music this year. Snacks and refreshments will be on hand to keep the participants going.
Dandiya Raas is a late-night dance that seeks to re-enact a stylised fight between Goddess Durga and Mahisasura, with the dancers’ sticks representing the swords of the goddess.
The Garba is usually performed around an earthen pot (called ‘garbo’) filled with water. A betel nut and a silver coin are placed within the pot, called a kumbh, on top of which a coconut is placed. The circular dance is performed before worshipping Goddess Durga.
Both the dance forms usually attract large groups of participants attired in colourful and flowing costumes. The women wear the three-piece ‘chaniya choli’, while men wear ‘kediya dhotis’.
