Unbeatable Dandiya and Garba with Dhaval

By Manju Mittal

Over 2600 people of different age groups joined and celebrated the grand live free Dandiya event organised by Pricebeat Travel’s Amit Sharma at Kevin Betts Stadium Mount Druitt, Sydney on October 20, 2018.  Enthusiasts started hitting the floor as soon as the music started, groups of young women, kids and young couples took to the floor unstoppable as midnight approached. A night of fun, clapping hands, live music distinct sound of wooden sticks striking together, people wearing colourful attire, the evening was one of the priceless opportunities where people dance their hearts out to the folk music being played.

A young vocalist from Indore Dhaval and his musicians had set up their live band before the door of the venue opened. Dhaval has great passion for music and a rich-in-culture environment provided an opportunity to be introduced to the world of classical music of Mewati Gharana mentored by the Shri Gautam Kale, he later got an opportunity to learn from legendary artist Pt. Ajay Pohankar. Dhaval has organised many charity events and workshops; also having provided a platform to young talents he has promoted Indian music internationally.

Dandiya garba raas is the most popular traditional folk dance form of Gujarat. During Navratri festival people in Gujarat and many other parts of India. People are in festive mood happy to dance with friends and family,  at times dancing all night long during the festivities. The nine day musical affair is also widely celebrated by Indians settled in different parts of the world Dandiya sticks are the key part of it, with dancers tapping their pair of sticks with others in rhythmic, coordinated movements according to the music. Even the ones who do not know dandiya soon copy as the eager ones show them the steps and everything falls in tandem. Before you realise you are part of the group and dancing away with them.

The event organiser Amit Sharma thanked everyone for making it a grand success and said, “Every year I organise this event for our community and I love dandiya and garba. Sydney, being a second home to many Indians living in Australia, everyone celebrates the festival with grace and civility, and dandiya being one of the most beloved and awaited occasions here, it gets bigger and better every year”.

Navaratri, the nine night festival, with dandiya and garba is celebrated with gusto every year by the Gujarati community in Sydney. This festival gives others an amazing chance to connect with our culture which we miss here in Sydney. Loud drum beats, the rhythmic tapping of dandiya sticks, people immersed in music and dancing, colourful traditional attires and delicious Gujarati food makes dandiya night a gripping festivity.

 

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