People perform Dandiya dance at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.

Where to go

Dandiya nights are a common sight across the city where residents gather in hundreds to enjoy the Navratri with song and dance.

Three mega Dandiya festivals are being organised in the city. Odisha International was the first to start the event in the city. This year it began on Thursday and will continue till Dusshera.

Hotel Swosti Premium is organising a four-day programme commencing on October 1. A five-day fiesta is also hosted by Prayas, beginning on September 30 at the Exhibition Ground.

The programmes will begin at 5pm and continue till 11pm. Dance groups from Calcutta and Odia rockband Vignanz will perform on all the five days at the Exhibition Ground where arrangements have been made for rain dance as well. The entry fee for each participant is Rs 100 at the ground, Rs 150 at Janata Maidan, Rs 600 at Swosti Premium.

A ‘Dandiya raas’ event will take place at Hotel Mayfair on September 28. Singer Vinti Singh of reality show Voice of India fame will perform there. The entry fee is Rs 800 for each person, who will also get 50 delicacies to savour. All the events have lucrative prizes for best dancers. On October 4, Bhubaneswar Club is organising a special Dandiya night for its members.

Groove to the beats

DJ Ravi, the house DJ of Cellar, the pub at the Mayfair Hotel, will be playing at Bhubaneswar Club on Dusshera. As one of the most experienced DJs of the city, he shares his experience of playing on Dandiya nights.

“Every year, playing the garba songs at the beginning helps a lot. It sort of brings the party animals into dance mood. After they shed their inhibitions, even the usual chartbusters makes them groove,” he said. The revellers can expect songs such as ‘Rangilo maro dholna’, ‘Dholi taro’, ‘Hey shubhaarambh’ and the retro tracks. DJ Tushar also adds his favourite on the list such as ‘Ghoonghat mein chand hoga’ and ‘Dola re dola’.

Dress to kill

It’s that time of the year when women can flaunt their ghagras, lehengas with heavy ornaments and the gaudy Anarkalis. Men, too, try out their traditional attire such as dhoti pants with kurtas or churidar-punjabis. However, not all prefer to go the traditional. Some prefer the Indo-western style. Moreover, be careful while choosing the footwear. High heels may not be a good idea. Go for platforms and wedges or even studded ballerinas. Shopping attires for Dandiya nights can be found at Pantaloons, Biba, Global Desi and other stores at Market Building while Inc 5 and Style Shoes offer great footwear for the occasion.

Getting ready for the event

Make sure you are dressed well for the occasion as it may get you the awards for the best-dressed dancer at the events. Men may try interesting and unusual heads gears like bandanas or pagdis. Women should pick the right jewellery to suit their dress for the event — something that is not too heavy yet uncomfortable. The major accessory is of course the Dandiya sticks. Choose the most colourful and strong sticks and explore your creative side to make them look attractive. You may tie beaded adornments at their ends. Do not carry a heavy purse. Light batwas or slings may make things easier for you.

Food for dance

To spice up the evening, a wide variety of Indian snacks like panipuri, chaat and so on will be available at the venues. Every time you take a break from the dance floor, try out spicy Indian snacks to get back the energy. The food items come for as less as Rs 30 per plate. Enjoy the mouth-watering dishes with your group of friends at the events.

Top tracks from Bollywood

• Nagade sang dhol from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram-Leela

• Hey shubhaarambh from Kai Po Che

• Dholi taro dhol baaje from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

• Pari hoon main sung by Suneeta Rao

• O re gori from Aap Mujhe Ache Lagne Lage

• Yeh hai pyaar from Aa Ab Laut Chale

• Chand aaya hai by musical maestro A.R. Rahman featuring the very pretty Sonali Bendre in Dil hi dil mein

• Sabse bada tera naam from Suhaag

• Disco Dandiya from Love Love Love

How to get the look

Women

• Wear multi-coloured three-piece dresses with a skirt-like bottom, embroidered blouse and bandhani dupatta decorated with shells, mirrors, beads, etc.

• Try jewellery such as chudas, jhumkas, necklaces, kangnas, kamarbandh and payal

• Try and avoid high heels or stilettos

men

• To get that traditional look on dandiya raas events, kafni pyjamas & kediyu could be an option

• One can also wear kurta, dhoti or pyjama