Garba, The Folk Dance of the People of Gujarat

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This cloth painting represents Garba, a folk dance of the people of Gujarat and western Rajasthan. Garba, a part of ritual devoted initially to the Mother Earth, Ambaji, is now one of the best known dances of India with global popularity. As have most folk dances of India, Garba too has associated with it a ritual tradition and festivity. Now performed all round the year, Garba was initially performed during Ambaji fair and festival held four times a year, during the bright half of Bhadra, Ashvina, Kartrika and Chaitra, at Ambaji temple in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district of Gujarat, one of the known Shakti-peethas devoted to Mother Goddess Amba. It was performed initially by bands of female dancers whose number could be anything from four to fifty. The dancers carried in their hands chachars, well trimmed and colorfully polished wooden rods. While dancing the dancers divided into groups of two each and struck rhythmically their chachars against each other. In Garba the dancers moved in circle and to the rhythm created by the hands clapping around or to the beats of drums played for accompanying the dance. The participants of Garba devoted to Ambaji believed that they would get the desired if they were able to properly propitiate Ambaji by their dance.

Garba is now a part of Navratri celebrations when during the nine days of Navratri every lane and square of Gujarat and adjoining parts of Rajasthan reverberate and resound with the music and rhythm of Garba. It is not now a mere folk event confined to female dancers alone. To the Garba has been added now the classical touch and element. It is now one of the representative dances of India and has seen several world cultural festivals and has been fascinating part of many popular films. Garba dancers are found now in most parts of India and it is performed any time and anywhere in the country and beyond. Garba is now commonly shared by both male and female dancers. The new Garba trend rather favors the group of one male and one female and a modest band of around twenty participants. Garba is considered so auspicious in Gujarat that the dowry for a daughter's marriage includes a few chachars as well.

The batik artist of this Garba panel, as his canvas imposed restriction, has preferred a band of six dancers performing in three groups. All the dancers, the male and female, are portrayed with extra black hair, glowing young faces and exceptional composure. The painting is endowed with vigor and freshness and has great artistic merit.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

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