Residents of Naren Hills participating in Dandiya and Garba activities in their housing society premises
Cultural committee member Suhas Ahir said, “The event draws participants across generations, with children joining in alongside senior citizens. Naren Hills housing society in Wanowrie will organise its annual dandiya evening this weekend. The gathering gives residents an opportunity to celebrate together without having to travel to large, crowded and chaotic public venues.”
For 21-year-old Meera Kulkarni from Kothrud, the festival is an opportunity to reunite with college friends on the dance floor. In Pimpri, 41-year-old Rohan Shah is planning a family outing with his wife and daughters. He and his youngest (19) attended a beginner’s raas workshop to get comfortable with the steps and rhythm.
Dance trainer Surbhi Rathod, who conducts classes for two months before Navaratra, introduced two-hour workshops for kitty-party groups this year.
The workshops combine learning with a fun outing for friends,” Rathod said. They find the rhythms refreshing, faster and more enjoyable to dance to,” he said. I am looking forward to four nights of music and dancing with my friends, and finally managing a full circle formation without crashing into anyone,” she said. “I can dance at weddings, but apparently spinning while keeping count to eight is another matter,” he said.
Dance studios, meanwhile, are seeing many groups looking for a quick introduction to garba besides serious learners. “Participants learn a simple step sequence and choreography they can perform together, followed by a photoshoot. Sanjeev Shah, an event manager from Undri, has noticed a change in musical preferences this year. “More people are asking for traditional songs and Rajasthani beats instead of the usual Bollywood numbers at dandiya and garba events. “I’ll wear a teal bandhani chaniya choli with silver jhumkas and comfortable flats. Her dance teacher still jokes about the way she handles dandiya sticks. Shah is looking forward to DJ sets that blend traditional rhythms, catching up with cousins and other relatives, and ending the night with plates of deep fried festive snacks.
She plans to attend a Karve Nagar event on Friday after six weeks of weekend garba classes.