Samiksha Naik from Panjim is getting her moves right for the annual garba dances which will take place for nine days starting from October 3 to 11, 2024. From selecting outfits and matching trinkets, to practicing dance steps and setting the mood – Goans are making sure they set the stage on fire this Navratri.
YUVA Panaji, in association with Rhythm Goa led by Hetal Gangani, organised a vibrant three-day garba workshop that attracted 30 enthusiastic participants. The event aimed to give attendees an immersive experience in the rich cultural tradition of garba dance, fostering skill development and community engagement.
“We had a great time, learning different types of dance skills. It was a fun activity, which involved not just youngsters but also kids,” said Diksha Shetye of the YUVA Panaji group.
“It was a fun three days and we enjoyed learning a new style of dance, which also helped us to connect with our cultural roots, while getting our physical fitness and coordination in place,” said another young participant.
Did you know, dancing during Navratri can also be a great opportunity for people to lose a few kilos? Well, Aryaa along with her friends are planning to go out for Dandiya nights for fun and to also lose weight. “The music played at garba nights is very energetic and even if you don’t want to dance, the beats can make you groove to it,” says Aryaa.
The craze to attend garba and Dandiya celebrations began a few years ago and with this there was a craze among the people to wear the traditional clothes too, like chaniya cholis for instance. This led to many people lending or renting out chaniya cholis.
Jayshree Gohil, from Porvorim, has been renting out and selling chaniya cholis for a few years now. “Since I’m a Gujarati, I keep in mind the trends and fads in the market and get dresses and other accessories for people to rent during the festivities,” she said and added, “We are selling a variety of chaniya cholis for the kids too, so they can become a part of the Navratri celebrations."
Though these dances are typically celebrated during Navratri, Goa has embraced these vibrant cultural traditions with open arms.