As I’ve reiterated many times, art can be found in a number of things, simple or complex. This week, I will focus on the art I see in dance. To be more specific, I will focus on dance that I am most familiar with given my heritage; I will analyze the beauty of Indian dance.
Being pure Indian, my family practices many traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. One commonality I’ve noticed is everyone’s liking for dance. It is almost like a hidden secret that’s not so secret. Every member of my family can pull of some dance moves, but only when the opportunity arises. Somehow, at each wedding my family choreographs and performs in front of hundreds of people as they do during the festival of Navratri. Other than during these specific circumstances, they will deny any suggestions of their ability.
One of my favorite celebrations, Navratri, literally translates to “Nine Nights” (nav – nine, ratri – night). During these 9 nights, the goddess – whom my family recognizes by the name Lakshmi – of divinity is honored to bring prosperity and wealth. Through prayers, rituals, and fasts, Hindus embrace the festival with full force. My favorite celebration, however, is during the garba that takes place each of these 9 nights. Garba is a traditional form of dance where people gather around an idol, forming rings around the center. In these rings, we dance in a circle following the same repetition of energetic dance steps. The closer one gets to the center, the more difficult the steps become and as the music progresses the more fast-paced the dance becomes.
Seeing the garba take place from an aerial view is an absolutely stunning, rewarding experience. People can be seen moving with vigor and passion in a kaleidoscopic fashion. The vibrantly-colored “chaniya choli” Hindus bring the festival to life just like their flashing gold and silver jewelry adornments. It is amazing how the same, repeated steps can be so captivating, so mesmerizing. The perfection and details that the moves require make the dancers seem all the more incredible. People move at a rapid pace, making dozen of rounds within just a few minutes. Feet are hitting the floor over and over again, bodies are jumping into the air, arms swaying in a vigorous manner. When I myself dance, I cannot get enough of the adrenaline that courses through my veins. It is an awakening experience as the music is pounding and people around me are truly living. Laughter can be heard in abundance with everyone joking and amusing themselves. People challenge each other to “dance battles”, competing with the energy they have. The love for the festival can’t be felt in the air.
The Indian festival of dance is an experience beyond words. The description that I’ve just created is nothing compared to the emotion that can be felt in person. Indian dance is very enthusiastic and boisterous no matter the occasion. It is a form of expression that is unique to the origin, making it a distinct form of of art. The way each individual decorates themselves is a magnificent form of creativity. From the choice of clothing color to the style of matching jewelry, Indian accessories are simply gorgeous. Each person, although repeating the same dance steps, has their own flair, their own way of carrying them out. The beauty lies in the unique flavor they bring to their dance. The art of garba is a specialty that I for one look forward to experiencing annually.