India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton presents its annual Navratri Raas Garba celebration at High School North on consecutive Saturdays, October 1 and 8. Dance to the rhythms of West Windsor-based bands, Hidden-Gems on October 1, and Anuja Wala Group on October 8. The festival has been celebrated in this area for 20 years. “One of our most important goals is to promote better understanding of Indian culture, traditions, and its heritage in our adopted homeland,” says Anand Mohan Sothi, a West Windsor resident and president of the club. The organization, based in West Windsor, was established in 1977.
Navratri, a festival of nine nights, is the longest Indian festival. The goddess of Shakti is worshiped. Garba, a traditional Indian dance, is performed during September and October based on the Hindu calendar. “If anyone is new to Raas Garba, we encourage them to try it out,” says Mohan. “Anyone can come and participate in a family atmosphere.”
“The dance is very easy to learn in 15 to 20 minutes,” says Sothi, who is also an organizer of the event. “Participants will spin, clap, and undulate as they orbit around a figure of the goddess being worshiped that night,” he says. “It is a group dance and is more traditional than religious.” Lessons will be given by Janisa Anandamohan of West Windsor and Alaka Kapadia of Plainsboro before the official start of the celebration at 7 p.m.
“It is a rather joyous dance and people will dress quite ornately to reflect this,” says Sothi. While the majority of people will be wearing Indian attire the event is open to all with no restrictions on age, race, sex, or nationality.
“Young men and women are dressed at their best during this event,” says Sothi. The majority of women will wear sari, heavily embroidered three-piece dresses with the material ranging from cotton to silk. Men will wear kafni pants with a kurta, a loose and long shirt common in India. “Traditionally the kurta is white or gray, but for the Garba men will often be seen wearing very vibrant colors,” says Sothi. Refreshments available for purchase include popular Indian vegetarian snacks and favorite dishes.
Sothi was born in South India and came to the United States in 1987 to attend NJIT for his master’s degree. He is a computer engineer at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Hopewell. The family moved from East Windsor to West Windsor in 1997.
His wife, Maharanie Sothi, works at Station Marketing in Forrestal Village in Plainsboro. Their son, Jaisson, a 2006 graduate of High School South, graduated from Drexel University, and also works at the Merrill Lynch facility in Hopewell. Their daughter, Janisa Anandamohan, graduated from South in 2009 and is in her third year at Rutgers.
The organization will also present a cultural show on Saturday, December 3, also at High School North. Participants interested in performing or emceeing the events should E-mail ifmp@ifmpnj.org. “IFMP encourages and promotes all local talent, particularly for our younger audience to learn about their history and an opportunity to perform on stage,” says Sothi.
Navratri Raas Garba Celebration, India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton, High School North, Plainsboro. Saturdays, October 1 and 8, 7 p.m. Dance to live Indian music during the festival of nine nights in which the goddess of Shakti is worshiped. Garba is a traditional Indian dance, lessons available. Music by Hidden Gems and Anuja Wala Group. $9. Refreshments available. 609-297-7116. www.ifmpnj.org.
