Gujarat Plus - Gujarat on Web

Day 4 may turn out to be turning point for Navratri Saturday, October 20, 2001

TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD/VADODARA: After a slow start and warming up which lasted three evenings, organisers of 'garba' and 'dandiya' across Gujarat are hoping that 'Super Saturday' on Day 4 of the Navratri would set the pace for the nine-day extravaganza. There is excitement in the air as the most colourful festival of Gujarat heads for the week-end which will send the crowds of gaily dressed dancers into the arenas.

Traditionally, it has been a slow start for the Navratri and organisers are really not disappointed by the thin crowds which have turned up at the grounds on the first three evenings. But the crowds had already started thickening on Friday. "You haven't seen anything yet, the real show will begin on Saturday and the tempo will spill over to the next week," said the entertainment committee chief of Rajpath Club in Ahmedabad, Jigish Shah.

'Garba' organisers are expecting the crowds to swell exponentially even in other urban centres of Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot where the dances have been organised at scores of places. It is of course going to be a nightmare driving to the hot-spots in the evening and getting a place to park one's vehicle.

The secretary of Karnavati Club, Girish Dani, said, "there is a huge demand for passes over the weekend, I think Saturday will be a defining moment in this year's Navratri." Most 'garba' organisers who had a lean start say that this is an annual feature and every year Navratri picks up only after three days. "The first day was lean, but on the second day, the crowds doubled and we are expecting a full house from Friday going through the weekend," said BITA president Dinesh Patel who is organising a 'garba' in Vadodara.

The festival is being held under the cloud of the US-led strikes on Afghanistan and the earthquake in Gujarat, and organisers were worried if they would be able to recover their investments -- almost up to Rs 1 crore in some cases. Yogesh Desai of Ace Promotions also said he expects a huge turnout over the weekend and once the tempo is built, the crowds would keep coming in till the festival peaks on October 26.

In Vadodara, organisers say though the festive spirit of Navratri already hangs thick throughout the city, the real Navratri tempo would pick up over the weekend when most 'garba' grounds would see their grounds chock-a-block with eager dancers. The weekend is a suitable time for most youngsters -- especially those who are working. "I plan to start from Friday night. Last year when I was a student I could bunk the early morning classes throughout the Navratri, but that is not possible any more as I now work and cannot take so much leave," said Kshama Bhatt. "I regret that I would not be able to dance on all the nine nights but I prefer to remain fresh and energised if I have work," she said.

This is a common trend seen among youngsters who pick their days for dances instead of dancing nine days on a trot which can be completely exhausting. Some MSU students who live in hostels also prefer to wait till the weekend. "It makes sense to take outstation pass over three to four days. I prefer to wait for weekends as that is when it's more fun when the ground is full of people. The first few days are dull in any case," said Juhi, a student at S D Hall. Shalini Muni, an FYBA student, said most hostel girls go to the faculty of fine arts' 'garbas' in the first few days. During weekends, they go to bigger venues, like United Way.

News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]

 

This site is dedicated to our friend Younus M, who passed away on 28th Sept 00, and left on us an indelible memories ! - Team GujaratPlus.com

[P] Privacy Policy | © Copyright 2000-2006 |

Designed & Hosted by eZee Web Solutions