US Diary (19-Oct-2023)

Though last Sunday was cloudy, it did not affect us or lessen our joy of a holiday. At around 4.40 PM in the evening, we started to the nearby temple in Bridgewater and reached there by 5.05 PM.  The temple is known as "Sri Venkateswara temple of Bridgewater". The main deity is Lord Thirupathi Venkatachalapathy. But as in other temples in the US, under one roof there were many other shrines for other deities too. Sri Durgadevi is one amongst them. Being Navrathri festival season we were aware of the special pooja for Durgadevi, chanting of Devi maahathmyam and cultural performances that were being conducted during these nine days. Although we started late, we reached the temple cultural centre hall before the dancers finished their Dandiya dance. 

Dandiya and Garba are two popular dance forms of Gujarat in India. While Garba may have more of a devotional appeal, Dandiya may be more vibrant and is centered around two deities, Goddess Durga and Lord Krishna. The dance form of Garba uses hand and foot movements with occasional clapping of hands, while Dandiya makes use of colourful  dandiya sticks stricken to rhythmic beats to replace clapping. 

Dandiya originated from the ancient socio-religious-folk dance in Gujarat. This dance is also popular in Rajasthan and is becoming popular in other states of India slowly. This is usually performed during Navrathri festival season, especially in temples. I understand that this dance is also being performed on the eve of weddings occasionally by some people. However, this is a devotional dance which symbolises the battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. This is played with a small stick which has a swinging bell on one end of it. The sticks are colourful too. This dance reminds the Raasaleela amongst the Gopika and Lord Krishna. Literal meaning of "Raasa" is "juice", but it stands for "passion" too. Passion towards the dance is meant by this. Even number of dancers form circles of small to large groups. Each dancer holds a stick with her index finger and thumb and strike with the partner's stick, swirling the stick by other fingers and moving in circles rhythmically which suits the music usually sung by a group on the stage with orchestra. Before commencing, they place an idol or picture of Goddess Durga in the center and worship the Goddess with lighted "diyas" (small clay pots designed as lamps used during holy festival season) also called as "garba" and offer "Aarathi" (circular waving of lighted lamp in front of the deity). Thus, the Dandiya dance also came to be known as Garba or Garba raas dance. Bright and shining traditional costumes or sarees are worn just like the "gopikas" we see in pictures of "raasa leela". Music and orchestra have a special rhythm. The graceful wavy movements and the soft strike with dandiyas are enchanting that attracts more of the viewers to dance with them. Anyone regardless of the gender who can follow the rhythm or flow of the dance can join at any time while the dance is going on. 

Now a days, Garba Raasa yearly dance competitions are widely conducted in US schools, colleges and other institutions. This seems very similar to the  Kalolsavam or youth festivals conducted in schools and universities within India. But the competition in the USA is a competition exclusively meant for Garba Raasa dance and the competition is organised by the Federation of Gujarati associations of North America (FOGNA) combining Dandiya dance and Garba Raasa dance. The first-generation Indian American college students developed a novel form of dance which has its formations and structures changed, but music, costumes and basic movements remain the same. Further developments in early 2000 came into effect so as to fit the Inter-collegiate competition. Transformations such as music with fast tempo, fast head bobbing with manic smile of each dancer came into the novel form so as to gain the approval of judges. Judges are selected with upmost care that they have certain strict norms to follow to remain impartial. They are not allowed to discuss in between, or to use mobile phones while judging the competition. These are noteworthy and can be followed. In the competition, this dance is known as sports. It is said that the Inter collegiate Garba dance is transforming into its own style. Thus, an expressive Indian dance performed in honour of Ma Durga is getting transformed fast into a competitive sport in the USA. As such, this Garba Raasa dance is a global representation of Indian culture. 

After watching and enjoying the dance we went inside the temple (sannidhanam) to worship the Almighty. We joined the chanting of Sahasranamam, watched Bomma koluvu. Though photos and video were not allowed inside the temple, people were allowed to click photos in front of the koluvu which was arranged in one corner of the temple. After receiving pongal as prasadam and buying laddu we left for home. After reaching home, Sree and Preetha watched the news about the war between Israel and Palestine. Let us hope that the virtues win victory over hatred and "SANTHI" will prevail all over the world. Praying for the same, we slept after having dinner.