NAVRATRI SPECIAL

It wasn't a run-of-the-mill morning. It wasn't a run-of-the mill assignment. The 8 am text messages from my editor heralded the start of a frenzied attempt at trying to cross cultures, pole vault over inhibitions, and cajole the Marathi manoos in me to loosen up and swirl in frenetic abandon, on a muggy Monday evening.

The Garba seemed a real toughie to master. But so did Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Salsa, everything except bobbing on my toes at a night club. I decided to get there half an hour earlier than I had been told to. The Lokmanya Seva Sangh Mandal building, which houses rooms where kids from the residential neighbourhood learn gymnastics, was an adda that evening for Garba-Dandiya enthusiasts to learn a trick or two. The large, empty room with nothing but a modest bench to dump your bag on, came alive gradually as students began sauntering in. Those who strolled in with their shoes on were reprimanded by Arsh, as she played the perfect teacher for the evening. The awkwardness melted into camaraderie as each of them  greeted Arsh and Samir by touching their feet, followed by saying a small prayer.

Before I could unfold my hands, the students had taken their respective positions, forming a large circle in the centre of the room. I decided to test tricky waters by waiting and watching, before I dived in. In just a few seconds, a nervous energy swirled from the centre of the circle, expanding to envelop the space, as foot movements quickened, claps became thunderous, and backs bent gracefully. I knew I could never do it.

Arsh sensed my anxiety and asked me to join. I started with the 8-step basic Garba routine, interspersed with claps. Watching the rest, and synchronising my movements with theirs, helped. I finally got synchronising my hand and foot movements right, and nightmares of tripping over the mirror-work ghagra I'd borrowed from a friend, vanished.

Then suddenly, out came the props. Gleaming stainless steel matkas we had to balance on our heads, while we twirled sensually. I dropped mine three time in 10 minutes. In between each step, Samir and Arsh took time out to explain the significance of the tradition. I think I might just muster the courage to drop in for a Dandiya night this time. After all, I've learnt the art from the man who taught Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai how to swirl in Dhol Baaje from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

P.S: No one really wears the ghagra-choli and jewellery to these classes. I was ordered to dress the part.

The class I went to

Kala Nirjhari at Vile Parle is run by Samir and Arsh Tanna, and is a 17 year-old institute that teaches a variety of traditional folk dances. While Samir specialises in folk dance, Arsh is a master in Kathak. The class attracts not only Gujarati students, but a whole mix of Mumbaikars, aged 5 to 70. Recently, the couple have  begun teaching Bollywood and Western dances. Samir admits that youngsters prefer grooving to filmi numbers.

Cost: Eight sessions of one hour each for Rs 2,000
Call: 9821089542 / 9821025828

My classmates

Anuja Doshi,25, Deputy manager at Kotak Mahindra Bank
I've been attending this class for eight years. I even got my back fractured, underwent surgery, but this is too addictive to give up. It's an interesting way to keep in touch with Gujarati culture.

Divyaa Iyer, 20, HR executive
I'm a South Indian who loves the Garba and Dandiya. I've been dancing during Navaratri for five years. It's my love for this dance form and my teachers here, that makes me want to come back for more.

Sarvesh Agarwal, 24, MBA student
It's a super form of exercise; something no gym can offer. Besides, it's a happening dance form.

Sahiba Sahani,19, Fashion design student
I'm a trained western dancer, but I realised it's important to stay in touch with Indian culture too. In spite of being Punjabi, I chose to learn Garba, because the energy of this style intrigued me. I watched one performance, and I was floored.

What's Navratri?

It's a festival of worship and dance. The word Navaratri means "nine nights" in Sanskrit. On these days, Goddess Durga is worshipped with fervour. Dandiya and Garba are two different dance forms performed to honour the Goddess. Every village in Gujarat has its unique style of the dance. Apparently, the Garba has 256 different styles, and is dominated by the action of clapping. Dandiya is played with sticks, and is devoted to Lord Krishna and Radha.

The dates of the festival are determined according to the Lunar calendar. The festival  becomes a ten-day festival with the addition of the last day, Vijaya-dashami or Dussehra.

Where do the famous play the dandiya?

Apara Mehta Theatre personality and TV actor
I dance only when I'm invited as chief guest. It's become too commercial in Mumbai. Instead of going to a disco, everyone goes to a Dandiya. This year, I am going to watch the Kala Gurjari competition of Garba by performers from Gujarat, at Bhaidas Hall.
Apara's advice: Dance with all your energy, but understand the dance form before you go to a Dandiya night.

Ketaki Dave Actor
I've stopped playing Dandiya. It's grown tedious and tasteless. The venues are over-crowded, and they don't play original Gujarati folk music either. Dancers are more concerned about how they look rather than how they dance.
Ketaki's advice: Because you dance for Goddess Durga, enjoy yourself when you dance. And please refrain from dancing to rock and Bollywood numbers.

Aashka Goradia TV actor
I have been playing dandiya in Ahmedabad for the last seven years. We are a group of 30, and I'm the only girl in the group. Unlike in Mumbai, where we have to keep to deadlines, there we dance till 5 am. Devang Patel's Dandiya Raas in Ahmedabad is a fun event to be present at.
Aashka's advice: Dandiya and Garba require you to dance to rhythm, so, you should learn the dance before you set foot on the grounds.

Amar Upadhyay Actor
I'm shooting non-stop, so, I won't be able to dance this time. But I will be going to Gujarat on Ashtami, and that's the day I'll make time for dandiya. I must admit that with commercialisation, the original flavour of the festival is lost.
Amar's advice: Shed all your inhibitions and enjoy yourself. It's a great way to exercise too!

Where you can learn the garba

Dadar (W)
At: Gurukul Academy of Art and Performance, near PL Kale Marg, behind Antonio Da Silva High School
For: Rs 2,000
Different styles of Garba and Dandiya from across Gujarat will be taught.
Call: Hiten Gala on 9820323923

Kalyan (W)
At: 4/11 B, Archies Apartment, Oak Baug, New Station Road
For: Rs 1,000
Classes for Garba and Dandiya already on.
Call: Poonam Vadera on 9323310105

Get your own Personal Trainer.
This is an 8-hour course divided into one-hour sessions 
For: Rs 4,550
Call: Ravi on 9323481320

Top 4 dandiya nights

Andheri (W)
At: Sankalp, Bhavans College premises
Star singer: Falguni Pathak
Tickets: Rs 3,000 season, regular for Rs 400 (week day) and Rs 600 (weekend).
Call: Rajeev on 26830814/20/22

Borivali (W)
At: Prathamesh Heights Navaratri Mahotsav 2008, Kora Kendra, near McDonalds
Star singers: Indian Idol participants
Tickets: Rs 1,500 season, regular for Rs 300 to Rs 500.
Call: Tejan on 9322282366

Ghatkopar (E)
At: Big Raas 2008, Somaiya Grounds, near Somaiya College
Star singers: Preety & Pinky with others
Tickets: Rs 1,000 season, regular for Rs 200
Call: Jignesh on 9892266335

Mulund (W)
At: Priyadarshini Krida Sankul, Kalidas Open Ground
Star singers: Kishore Manraja and Inka Gosar
Tickets: Rs 50 to Rs 150
Call: Manish Thakkar on 932265295


Get personalised dandiya sticks
Decorated with Bandhini print, satin lace, golden/silver lace and net.
At: A/01, Vikas Apartment, opposite HDFC Bank, Santoshi Mata Road, Kalyan (W)
For: Rs 60 to Rs 80 a pair
Call: Saloni Adhiya on 9869549908