Go Traditional:

Girls who are freaking out at the last moment in search of unique dandiya and chaniya choli can now relax. The Rajasthan Emporium has colourful dandiya sticks with detailed work of meena, gota and lights. The dandiya sticks with fluorescents colours are the hot picks. The couples have better choice as dandiya sticks having dolls of boy and girl attached to them are quite popular.

The shop also has traditional garba ornaments such as borla, chura, kamarbandh and neckpiece with rusted silver look. The ornaments range from Rs 65 to Rs 400. Chaniya cholis and kedias for children to adults too are available. The range of the traditional Guajarati garba attire varies from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000. For the one who want to look different in chunari print sari and lahriya print the price varies from Rs 400 to Rs 3,000. The saris are available in fabrics like cotton, crepe, georgette and chiffon.

Pocket friendly:

If you feel that buying an ethnic outfit will be heavy on your pocket and the gaudy ensemble will be stashed in your wardrobe for a year, then visit Ridhhi and Siddhi Boutique in Meethapur. The shop has come up with unique solution of providing the garba costumes on rent. The package of traditional jewellery with costume ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 1,000. “Making it affordable for the students and the college goers the package starts from Rs 150 onwards,” said Chanda Gupta, owner of the boutique.

The cholis are designed in different styles like backless, halter neck, kedia style and there are knee length chaniyas too. The package also consists of jewellery such as borla, chura for hands, kada for legs, kamardhani and bajuband.

Silk kedia for kids with detail work of resham available at Manyavar

Just dance:

Girls in Patna have pulled up their socks for dandiya night. The dance schools in the city are teaching the basic steps of dandiya to the people of every age group. The regulars at the garba dance nites had started practicing their moves two weeks in advance.

The growing numbers of dancers in the city have left the choreographers astonished. “For the past two years I have been teaching dandiya, but the crowd this time is splendid. In my dance class I have even 50-year-old students,” said Dheeraj Soni, choreographer, Soni Kala Kendra. From swift and energetic steps to more leisurely moves, garba has something to offer to people of every age group.

“I love dancing on the beats of garba and have took four days holiday for the preparation,” said Madhuri, a marketing executive.

Step-by-step

Basic garba: Comprises simple bends, claps and twirls. (Suggested for men and women of all ages)

Chal: Includes walking steps

Chal with double back jump: Involves a high jump after every three to four steps.

Matukadi: Involves ladies dancing around the holy pot (Suggested for women of all age groups).

Popat: Comprises three steps forward and two backward.

Dodhiyu: Involves fast and rigorous movements. (Suggested for younger age groups).

Traan taadi (three claps): Involves graceful movements and doesn’t need a lot of energy. (Suggested for women above 45).

Heech: Performed in pairs and involves bouncing and clapping.

Hudo: Involves rotations and revolution.

Basic dandiya: Includes twirls and bends.

Kutchi thekda: Performed in a circular fashion.

Traditional costumes, dance and music were the peg of the evenings in Patna for the past few days. With vibrant outfits and dandiya beats Rotary Club Chanakya on Saturday October 13 held a dandiya nite Tillotama. t2 gets you the highlights.

Devi and dandiya:

The members of the club were welcomed in a desi style. They were provided with the “Jai Mata Di” band and anointed with tilak. Soon after the members settled down, the president took over the dais. The ladies who were involved in puja were seen wearing sari in Bengali style. The ceremony started with an auspicious aarti of the goddess followed by a mythological skit. The skit depicted nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. The women showcased traditional dhunuchi naach of Bengal, which is performed exclusively during Duga Puja. The ladies were heard discussing about the rituals and traditions of Durga Puja. Men were seen in shimmering black suit with club’s batch pinned on the jackets.

Traditional moves:

A number of members turned up for the event and women changed their saris to ethnic garments for the dandiya raas. Many of the popular dandiya numbers were played simultaneously. The clacking of dandiya sticks and claps in synchronisation was a beautiful spectacle. The hall echoed with loud rounds of applause. Many Bollywood and Gujarati songs such as Chand Aaya Hai Zammen Pe, Dholera Dhol Re, Maa Santoshi, Hey Naam Re and other were played. Not just women, but male members showed equal zeal and shook their legs to foot-tapping numbers.