Can anyone tell, what a garba dance is? Why is it performed and what is the history behind it?
Garba orginated in Gujurat (the land which everyone hates so much) and in Rajistan (the desert). There are two parts to Garba. One is the clapping portion..and going in a circle as the music gets faster and faster. the other is called RAAS. RAAS is alotta fun. you do it with these sticks called dandiya. u prolly don't watch hindi movies..i dont really either anymore..but just for the sake of knowing what it looks like..u can watch the song doli taro dhol baje from the movie hum dil de chuke sanam. they have a pretty accurate version of it. if u wanna see a dandiya version..just show up to a gujurati wedding. im not sure of the meaning behind it..i dont think there is..u jus kinda do it. garba is usually done during the hindu holiday navaratri, other religious holidays, weddings, baby showers, etc. it wasn't so popular before..but now its spread throughout india and everyone does it. i think gujurati muslims do it during Eid..especially dandiya. hmm..i dunno what else..havent been to garba funtions in years.
Thanks for the reply Razea. I also wanted to ask if there were any religious connotation to it? Idolatory in particular.
umm..well..garba wasn't founded on the concept of idoltry...but since many hindus worship idols..during navaratri..they'll put a statue of like Durga Ma (the wife of the destroyer of the universe Shiva) in the middle..and dance around her..they say that when Krishna and Radha were alive..they would dance garba to express their love for each other..and Krishna loved raas..only because..it was good fun. there's nothing that says that garba must be danced in order to please any gods..garba has been around forever..even before the whole concept of navaratri or birth of krishna..so i guess its just a dance..but now..yes it may have religious connotations to it. i dunno..i think..different people use the dance for different things. its basically ur opinion. but since dancing haraam..and especially guys and girls together..which takes during garba..i dont even approach it.
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*Originally posted by Razea: *
umm..well..garba wasn't founded on the concept of idoltry...but since many hindus worship idols..during navaratri..they'll put a statue of like Durga Ma (the wife of the destroyer of the universe Shiva) in the middle..and dance around her..they say that when Krishna and Radha were alive..they would dance garba to express their love for each other..and Krishna loved raas..only because..it was good fun. there's nothing that says that garba must be danced in order to please any gods..garba has been around forever..even before the whole concept of navaratri or birth of krishna..so i guess its just a dance..but now..yes it may have religious connotations to it. i dunno..i think..different people use the dance for different things. its basically ur opinion. but since dancing haraam..and especially guys and girls together..which takes during garba..i dont even approach it.
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hey razea, take no offense, i am just curious about this . were u born in USA ?
Yeah, I was born in the US. Born and raised. why..lol...does my english seem a little fobbish to you or something?
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*Originally posted by Razea: *
Yeah, I was born in the US. Born and raised. why..lol...does my english seem a little fobbish to you or something?
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oh no it is not your english. After reading two of your comments i got a feel of it. I mean you know a lot more than many people know but still you didnt know the smaller things etc.
Plus you have a open minded apporach on this matter which most of us "desis" lack.
Again, i am surprised you dont dance it but you know a lot about it.
But you know , in our school we have iftar party and garba in adjecent halls and a lot of people after iftar party go to garba and dance. .
Ohh..thats cool..eat and then dance it all off! hehe. what little things were you refering to? I'm actually curious..because i don't know everything about..i mean..im just sharing what i know from experience and thats it. please share. :)
From BBC.
Navratri - the Hindu festival
Durga Maa
Durga Maa - Goddess of power
The nine nights of Navratri are devoted to the worship of Shakti or The Divine Force, the supporter of the universe. This is represented through a female form with three manifestations.
These are Durga Maa (Goddess of power), Lakshmi Maa (Goddess of wealth), and Saraswati Maa (Goddess of knowledge).
The whole essence behind the Navratri festival is that it commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over a demon called Mahishasur.
The first three days of Navratri
Bharatpuri Goswami
Bharatpuri Goswami from Gebi Mandal
These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days.
They represent the three different classes of womanhood which includes the child, the young girl and a mature woman.
The forth and fifth days of Navratri
Ritesh Upadhayay
Ritesh Upadhayay from Gebi Mandal
During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped.
On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp and invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
The sixth to the ninth days of Navratri
Shilesh Thaker
Shilesh Thaker from Gebi Mandal
These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. According to the Hindu scriptures, this will free us from all earthly bondage.
The Navratri rituals
Vajubhai Parmar
Vajubhai Parmar from Gebi Mandal
During the day of the Navratri period, devotees of Durga Maa celebrate with pooja (prayers) and fasting for health and prosperity.
Prasad (holy gifts) in the form of coconuts, clothes and Indian sweets are offered. This is then distributed to the devotees after completion of this auspicious ceremony.
Flowers and garlands adorn the Godly images which are placed in a mandir (special shrine) in each household.
During these nine days, an attractively created colourful clay pot with a ‘diya’ (light) is ceremoniously placed near the shrine of the Goddess. This is call a ‘garbo’.
The ‘garbo’ symbolises the human body whilst the ‘diya’ represents the soul.
These various rituals contribute to the spiritual development of the individual.
i never knew about the garbo..but garbo is only lighting the diya right? i dont think it has anything to do with the actual dance and the raas part of it.
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*Originally posted by Razea: *
i never knew about the garbo..but garbo is only lighting the diya right? i dont think it has anything to do with the actual dance and the raas part of it.
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yea im not sure either