Garba is a dance form originated in Gujarat, performed during Navratri – a 9-day festival of Goddess Durga. It is also known as Garbi, Garbha or Garbha Deep. In ‘Garbha Deep’, the word ‘Garbha’ is a Sanskrit term, which means womb and ‘Deep’ means little earthen lamps. It is usually performed in a circle around a big lamp or the statue of Goddess Shakti. This dance form is often confused with Dandiya, which is another dance form of Gujarat performed during Navratri, but originated in Vrindavan. The major difference between the two dance forms is that The dance is performed in circular movements with hands and feet, while Dandiya is played with colorful sticks. It was traditionally performed around a big Garbha Deep, representing life just as fetus in the mother’s womb. This dance form worships the divinity and power of Goddess Durga or Amba. Another perspective on the symbolic form of Garba is that as the dancers move around in circles making circular movements with their hands and feet, it represents the circle of life, which moves from life to death to rebirth, leaving only the Goddess Durga unmoved, unchanging and invincible. It is performed in a ring form with circular movements that is quite similar to the Sufi dancers, who too move in a spiral. While the dancers perform in colorful costumes to the rhythm of a dhol or a drum, the men and women look vibrant and full of life in their attires. Women wear Chabiya Choli – a traditional Gujarati three-piece outfit comprising Choli or a Blouse, a Chaniya, which is a long flared skirt and an embellished dupatta. Chaniya Choli is characterized by their colorful designs and the embroidery or the mirror work done on them. The whole costume is teamed up with Silver or Black Metal Necklaces, Big Earrings, Kamarband, Bajuband, Maang Tikka and Juttis. The men who perform the Garba wear a Kediyu – a short round Kurta along with Kafni Pajamas along with a Pagdi on their head, and Mojri or Nagra. #creatorshala #content #bloggers #creators