I have seen the live performance of Garba at a Navratri festival both the dance and music were performed by natives of India. The song provides a rhythm necessary for dancing the Garba, in addition to FalguniвЂ™s charming voice and flawless performance. Falguni Pathak is a famous Indian singer who performs folk songs. I have chosen the song вЂњGarba non-stopвЂќ by Falguni Pathak. I was attracted by the image of Durga, a strong goddess that guards the world, and was stunned to find out that the dance honors this female fighter and womenвЂ™s fertility at the same time. I have selected Garba for my research work because of its unique representation of women. Special judges are appointed to evaluate the performance (Koskoff, 2008, p.

As the speed progresses, they clap three or four times. At the beginning of the dance, dancers clap one time after each circle. The rhythmic density and speed increase gradually during the dance. Each line is somehow connected to the previous one. One or two singers sing a refrain, and then the leaders sign a musical verse. Garba dance is accompanied by special music. The movements are meant to remind viewers about embryonic development and female fertility (Sinha, 2006, p. The circle formed by dancers symbolize the never-ending life cycle (reincarnation). Male dancers wear kafni pajamas (Koskoff, 2008, p. They also wear a lot of heavy and bright jewelry. Female Garba dancers wear a colorful embroidered dress with a blouse decorated with gems, small mirrors, and shells.

The costumes are an integral part of the dance and cannot be changed. Nowadays, one can see it performed in literally any country of the world. Being a dance of the residents of one state, Garba spread all over India and then penetrated other countries. Occasionally, men can participate in the performance along with women, but they cannot dance alone. SpecificsДЄs it was mentioned, Garba is a dance performed by women. Moreover, it honors a female divinity who is both womanly and strong. Garba is a unique dance: it honors women, their pride, and their fertility. During Navratri, people gather in vast fields or large temples and perform Garba and other dances devoted to Durga, such as Raas. Traditionally, the dance was performed only at night, most often at the festival of Navratri, a religious Hindu festival held to worship Durga and other goddesses. It was danced almost exclusively by women and only in the mentioned state (Gujarat). The dance was originally meant to honor Durga, also known as Amba, a powerful Indian goddess who protects the universe in times of crisis and defeats demons, and also to celebrate womenвЂ™s fertility with the movements that reflect symbolic related to embryo, womb, and pregnancy ( Garba, 2016, par. It symbolizes the human body with a radiant soul inside ( Garba Raas & Basmati Raas: A brief history, 2011, par. The word вЂњGarbaвЂќ originates from the name of an earthen pot (вЂњgarboвЂќ) with a candle inside and holes on its surface. The inhabitants of the state believe that the dance dates back to the ancient times of Krishna. The dance appeared many years ago in Gujarat, a north-western state of India. In this work, I examine different aspects of this dance. Beautiful costumes and energetic music contribute to the popularity of Garba. Garba is an important part of Indian religious festivals held in various countries of the world. It unites Indians and provides foreigners with rich cultural knowledge, allowing them to participate in cultural events. Nowadays, Garba is popular in all parts of the world. Garba is a traditional Indian dance devoted to a powerful goddess, Durga, and honoring female fertility and pregnancy.

Falguni pathak garba lyrics