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Members of Gujarati Sanatan Samaj in Jamshedpur on Wednesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad
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Nothing rocks Navratra more than dance twins dandiya and raas garba.
Jamshedpur got into festive groove with gusto on Tuesday with the traditional kumbh sthapana at Gujarati Sanatan Samaj, Bistupur.
At the Samaj, which has been celebrating Navratra since 84 years, dandiya and raas garba — also called garba — began around the kumbh, as grandmas and uncles matched steps with PYTs and dudes.
Around 14 teams and 350 participants are performing every evening in the nine-day festival. A separate panel has also been formed for Navratra.
“Our Samaj is famed for our nine-day dandiya and raas garba. We are very particular about rehearsals, too, because we want perfectly synchronised steps,” smiled Samaj member Prakash Mehta.
This year, Samaj functionaries have also decided on something new. They will showcase festivals of around 12 states of the country, a venture apt in a city like Jamshedpur where in any given locality, people from across India live as neighbours.
“We’ll host a fashion show on traditional attires and festivals of states. Ganesh Chaturthi will represent Maharashtra, Baisakhi Punjab and so on,” said Mehta.
This is also a time when NRI Gujaratis come home, making the hospitality sector cash in on Navratra fervour.
City hotels have arranged Navratra dandiya bashes.
The Alcor in Ramdas Bhatta will host its Dandiya Nite on October 21, Sunday.
“We are hosting the best dandiya in town. Visitors will flaunt ghagra-choli or kurta. Couple entry is for Rs 1,199 that includes a lavish Indian buffet. Stag entry is Rs 799 per head. We have prizes for best dance, couple and costume,” said general manager Henry Albinus Farrer.
Hotel Wave International on NH-33 will host dandiya on October 23, Tuesday, the last Navratra night. It has invited a dance troupe from Calcutta.
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