Razzle-dazzle: Girls perform Dandiya

Ranchi, Sept. 19: The time for mirror-work dresses and music is nearly here, as the Gujarati community gears up for the Garba or the Dandiya Raas during the nine days of Navratri.

With them, city clubs, too, are brainstorming to present the “best-ever” dandiya show in the city that will be remembered by the members for sometime to come.

Administrative officer of the Ranchi Gymkhana Club Vishwakarma revealed that this time the planning committee has planned to call the show “Gujarat” — keeping it simple and traditional. “All of the 1,200 club members are expected to take part in the Gujarat night,” he said. The programme would be held on October 4. A Gujarati thali (platter) with roti, rice, pulses, vegetables and sweets would be served to the hungry dancers.

Ranchi Club, on the other hand, has decided to add that dash of disco to the dandiya.

A Jamshedpur band would be travelling to the capital for the show. “We will be inviting artistes and professional dandiya groups to entertain our 1,000 members on October 5,” said Jyoti Bajaj, the convener of the entertainment committee.

Bajaj said that two years ago a similar programme proved to be a success. “Every year we try to bring a variety to our show. Seven years ago, we invited Chhau dancers from Seraikela. Our members loved that, too,” she added.

The secretary of the Patel Samaj, Tulsidas Patel, also revealed that the committee plans to organise a week-long Navratra Festival from September 30. “The festival is a social one that involves families and not just individuals. It is also a time when parents seek out the perfect bride or groom for their son or daughter,” he said with a twinkle.

Garba or the Dandiya Raas is a celebration of the mythical Raas Lila between Krishna and Radha and is incomplete without the dazzling chaniya choli for women and dhoti, aangrakhas and kurtas for the men. It is equally incomplete without the dandiya sticks — the eight to 12-inches bamboo sticks that is intrinsic to the dance.

While residents are busy shaking out the musty moth ball smell from their traditional costumes, music shop owners, too, are doing their bit. The dandiya dance videos and audiocassettes and CDs have once again found their way to the top shelf across the city.

Most of the hip and trendy are also in a tearing hurry to place orders in Rajkot and Kutchh for that perfect dress or dresses to dazzle all.