The India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton is hosting its annual 2016 Navratri Raas Garba celebration at WWP High School North on Saturdays, Oct. 8 and 15.
Dance to the rhythms of the Maryland-based Shashank and Swati Fadnis Group on Oct. 8 and the Anuja and Sharad Wala Group on Oct. 15. The festival has been celebrated in this area for 39 years.
“One of our most important goals is to promote better understanding of Indian culture, traditions and its heritage in our adopted homeland and pass on our way of life and values to the next generation,” Sanjay Phanse, president of IFMP, said.
Navratri is a nine day festival celebrated by Hindus around the globe and is the longest running Indian festival. The goddess of Shakti Durga Maa is worshiped for nine days.
Garba, a traditional Indian dance is performed in a circle around an earthen lamp or a statue of Durga that is usually placed at the center of a large hall. Celebrants muster all the energy they have to dance vigorously in concentric circles around Durga.
Raas, or Dandiya Raas, is a dance performed by men and women in two or more circles with stick in their hands. The dance form is a staging of a mock-fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, the mighty demon-king and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
“Both Garba and Raas dance forms are easy to learn and anyone can learn it in 15 to 20 minutes. If you are new to this dance, we encourage you to come early to learn the steps before the program starts at 7 p.m. from experienced dancers,” Phanse said. “Participants will spin, clap and undulate as they orbit around a figure of the goddess being worshiped that night. It is a group dance and is more traditional than religious. It is a rather joyous dance and people dress quite ornately to reflect this.”
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. New this year, is a best dressed competition for male, female, couples, and children.
“Young men and women are dressed at their best during this event,” Phanse said. “The majority of women will wear a traditional Sari or Chaniya Choli, a heavily embroidered three-piece dress 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.”
Entrance Fees for members is $12 and non-members is $15. Early bird discount specials of $2 on each category of ticket is available on a limited basis for both nights. Tickets can be purchased at sulekha.com. Food will be available to purchase on-site from Crown of India that will include Indian vegetarian snacks and favorite dishes.
For more information call (609) 297-7116 or visit our website their website.
Participants performing Raas Dandiya dance at 2015 Navratri Raas Garba,
