Kate saved me that night
The major outcome of my brief introduction to the states of Rajastan and Gujarat was the unconditioned love I got filled with for both. Colorful and festive by nature dots and waves of the tie-n-dye patters on the sarees and suits; rainbow-like patchworks and naughty mirrors on the biggest skirts I have ever seen; yummiest on earth, fool of discoveries and endlessly refilled thalis, people living in the 21st century yet deliberately preserving and nourishing the traditions of the past times. I have already started planning my proper meet with both states later this November. Yet, a chance did not let me miss them both for long.
These days Delhi is soaked in the celebrations devoted to the Mother Goddess, the festival known as Navratri in Gujarat and Durga Puja in West Bengal. There is a tent set up in each and every locality where people get together for food and dance every night. Temples are decorated with lights and the long lines of stalls with coconuts, prasad, read-and-golden clothes and garlands of marigold, roses, jasmine and banana leaves were stretching for hundred meters nearby big and small temples. That night Kate initiated a sally to the Garden of Five Senses where Dandiya Masti was happening. Well prepared by that time I dug in my closet and victoriously pulled a gorgeous skirt that Piyali gifted me after her trip to Gujarat. Even though there was no way to produce or obtain something like the proper gagra,
the thought that I would look somewhat appropriate in this skirt was very encouraging.
The venue of the festival was chosen perfectly. The Garden of Five Senses with lights, colors and visuals all demarking the zone of every sense looked like a fairytale ball room where we, humble Cinderellas, popped in that night.
People in festive gowns sparkling and shining in the night; tempting food with roti cooked in front of you on the mysterious tandoor; inviting music – all sorts of popular Hindi songs mixed with the beats characteristic for dandiya and garba; and couples, circles and crowds of people dancing with sticks made of wood (dandiya) or metal (garba). Inspired by the total craziness of the gathering we first shy and then gaining confidence joined one circle. A woman willingly showed us the steps which were not that difficult in fact – so much more was about following the rhythm, engaging your whole body and finding the ways to move its very part. The music was getting faster and faster and it was next to impossible to catch up with those who took steps right, clapped, masterly turned, waved hands, clapped and everything once again – the whole circle following the unified rhythm.
This was an amazing luck that later on that night we met Udit with his beautiful friend who appeared to be a professional dancer. The girl willingly showed us all sort of steps and we bravely tried all of them. The settings, the clothes we were wearing and the very spirit of the festival did not leave any doubts as of how appropriate it would be to try out that style of dancing. .And we did – with sticks, with our hands, with our whole bodies and soles. For the greater glory of the Mother Goddess and for our own sake.
We were gloriously leaving: with very festive music in the auto we carried on with dancing and playing sticks so lively that at some point the auto driver took his hands off the wheel and showed us amazing shoulder shaking.
These days Delhi is soaked in the celebrations devoted to the Mother Goddess, the festival known as Navratri in Gujarat and Durga Puja in West Bengal. There is a tent set up in each and every locality where people get together for food and dance every night. Temples are decorated with lights and the long lines of stalls with coconuts, prasad, read-and-golden clothes and garlands of marigold, roses, jasmine and banana leaves were stretching for hundred meters nearby big and small temples. That night Kate initiated a sally to the Garden of Five Senses where Dandiya Masti was happening. Well prepared by that time I dug in my closet and victoriously pulled a gorgeous skirt that Piyali gifted me after her trip to Gujarat. Even though there was no way to produce or obtain something like the proper gagra,
the thought that I would look somewhat appropriate in this skirt was very encouraging.
The venue of the festival was chosen perfectly. The Garden of Five Senses with lights, colors and visuals all demarking the zone of every sense looked like a fairytale ball room where we, humble Cinderellas, popped in that night.
People in festive gowns sparkling and shining in the night; tempting food with roti cooked in front of you on the mysterious tandoor; inviting music – all sorts of popular Hindi songs mixed with the beats characteristic for dandiya and garba; and couples, circles and crowds of people dancing with sticks made of wood (dandiya) or metal (garba). Inspired by the total craziness of the gathering we first shy and then gaining confidence joined one circle. A woman willingly showed us the steps which were not that difficult in fact – so much more was about following the rhythm, engaging your whole body and finding the ways to move its very part. The music was getting faster and faster and it was next to impossible to catch up with those who took steps right, clapped, masterly turned, waved hands, clapped and everything once again – the whole circle following the unified rhythm.
This was an amazing luck that later on that night we met Udit with his beautiful friend who appeared to be a professional dancer. The girl willingly showed us all sort of steps and we bravely tried all of them. The settings, the clothes we were wearing and the very spirit of the festival did not leave any doubts as of how appropriate it would be to try out that style of dancing. .And we did – with sticks, with our hands, with our whole bodies and soles. For the greater glory of the Mother Goddess and for our own sake.
We were gloriously leaving: with very festive music in the auto we carried on with dancing and playing sticks so lively that at some point the auto driver took his hands off the wheel and showed us amazing shoulder shaking.
posted by Olga Tikhonova | 3:30 pm
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