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{{Short description|Indian folk dance}}
{{Infobox dance
{{Infobox dance
| name            = Garba<br>  गरबा
| name            = Garba
| native_name      =  
| native_name      =  
| native_name_lang =  
| native_name_lang =  
Line 14: Line 15:
| origin          = [[Gujarat]], India
| origin          = [[Gujarat]], India
}}
}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| Image      =
| Caption    =
| ICH        = Garba of Gujarat
| Country    = India
| ID          = 01962
| Region      = APA
| Year        = 2023
| Session    = 18th
| List        = Representative
}}
'''Garba''' is an [[List of Indian folk dances|Indian folk dance]]. It is a form of [[circle dance|circle]] and [[social dance]] originating from [[Gujarat]], and played across the [[Indian diaspora]] on festivals and other events.<ref>Desai, Parijat, "Dance In The Round: Embodying Inclusivity and Interdependence through ''Garba''" in ''Music and Dance of Everyday South Asia'', [[Oxford University Press]], 2024.</ref> 


'''Garba''' is a form of [[dance]] which originates from the state of [[Gujarat]] in India. The name is derived from the  [[Sanskrit]] term ''Garbha'' ("womb") and ''Deep'' ("a small [[earthenware]] lamp"). Many traditional garbas are performed around a centrally lit lamp or a [[picture]] or statue of the Goddess Shakti. Traditionally, it is performed during the nine-day [[Hindu]] [[festival]] [[Navratri|Navarātrī]] ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] નવરાત્રી Nava = 9, ratri = nights). Either the lamp (the " garbha Deep'') or an image of the Goddess, [[Durga]] (also called ''Amba'') is placed in middle of concentric rings as an object of veneration.
Garba is traditionally danced by women as part of the annual Hindu festival of [[Navaratri]] (or "Nine Nights"), held in celebration of Amba Mata, or the primordial mother, an incarnation of [[Durga]]. Garbas form part of Navaratri celebrations at fairs and feasts. Typically, at the end of each Navaratri night of dance, the community also plays [[Dandiya Raas|dandiya raas]], a sibling circle-dance form, in which players hold a stick in each hand and tap out a rhythm with a partner. Everyone is invited to join garba and raas, and people of all ages dance together. It is played around an earthen pot with holes on the sides, revealing a flame inside (a symbol of the [[jiva]] or soul inside the womb). Alternatively, a picture or statue of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] goddess Amba may be placed in the center of the circle. When there are large numbers of participants, they make concentric circles to form rings around the object of veneration.  


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word ''garba'' comes from the [[Sanskrit]] word for womb and so implies gestation or pregnancy — life. Traditionally, the dance is performed around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a ''Garbha Deep'' ("womb lamp"). This lantern represents life, and the fetus in the womb in particular. The dancers thus honor [[Durga]], the feminine form of divinity.
The word ''garba'' comes from the [[Sanskrit]] word ({{Langx|sa|गर्भ|translit=Garbha}}) for "womb" and so implies gestation or pregnancy — life. Folk dances in Gujarat are frequently performed to mark the first [[menstrual cycle]] or are performed to mark a [[Marriage in India|marriage]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Desai |first=Anjali |title=India Guide Gujarat |publisher=India Guide Publications |year=2007 |isbn=9780978951702 |page=43 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite EBO|title=Garba|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/225552}}</ref>
 
Garba is performed in a circle as a symbol of the [[Hindu]] view of time.  The rings of dancers revolve in cycles, as time in [[Hinduism]] is cyclical. As the cycle of time revolves, from birth, to life, to death and again to rebirth, the only thing that is constant is the Goddess, that one unmoving symbol in the midst of all of this unending and infinite movement. The dance symbolizes that God, represented in feminine form in this case, is the only thing that remains unchanging in a constantly changing universe (''jagat'').


The ''Garbha Deep'' has another symbolic interpretation. The vessel itself is a symbol of the body, within whom Divinity (in the form of the Goddess) resides. Garba is danced around this symbol to honor the fact that all humans have the Divine energy of [[Devi]] within them.
==Dance, music and symbolism==
 
==Dance==
<gallery widths="220" heights="220">
<gallery widths="220" heights="220">
Traditional_Folk_dance_garba_dress.jpg|Garba dressing: traditional dressing male is ''kediyu'' while the traditional female dress is ''chaniya choli''.
Traditional_Folk_dance_garba_dress.jpg|Garba dressing: traditional dressing male is ''[[kediyu]]'' while the traditional female dress is ''[[chaniya choli]]''.
Gagra choli.jpg|Little girl dressed in [[Gagra choli]].
Gagra choli.jpg|Young girl dressed in [[Gagra choli]].
</gallery>
</gallery>
Modern Garba is also heavily influenced by ''[[Dandiya Raas]]'' ([[Gujarati language|Gujarātī]]: ડાંડીયા), a dance traditionally performed by men. <!--and from which the sticks originate. These sticks, which can vary from 1.5 to 2 feet in length, are meant to represent the sword of the avenging Goddess [[Durga]] ([[Sanskrit]]: दुर्गा).-->The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy dance that is seen today.<ref name="doi">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h67wZpGPUi0C&q=garba+dance&pg=PT25 | title=Let's Know Dances Of India | publisher=Star Publications | author=Sinha, Aakriti | year=2006 | pages=26 | isbn=9788176500975}}</ref>
Modern garba is also heavily influenced by ''[[Dandiya Raas]]'', a dance traditionally performed by men. <!--and from which the sticks originate. These sticks, which can vary from 1.5 to 2 feet in length, are meant to represent the sword of the avenging Goddess [[Durga]] ([[Sanskrit]]: दुर्गा).-->The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy dance that is seen today.<ref name="doi">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h67wZpGPUi0C&q=garba+dance&pg=PT25 | title=Let's Know Dances Of India | publisher=Star Publications | author=Sinha | year=2006 | page=26 | isbn=9788176500975 | access-date=2021-10-06 | archive-date=2023-10-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022053045/https://books.google.com/books?id=h67wZpGPUi0C&q=garba+dance&pg=PT25#v=snippet&q=garba%20dance&f=false | url-status=live |first=Aakriti}}</ref> Traditional garba music accompanying the dance involves the [[dhol]] and [[dholak]] (Indian drums), [[Cymbal|cymbals]] and [[shehnai]] (an Indian flute).<ref name=":0" />


Both men and women usually wear colorful costumes while performing garba and [[dandiya]]. The girls and the women wear [[Chaniya choli]], a three-piece dress with a [[choli]], which is an embroidered and colorful blouse, teamed with [[chaniya]], which is the flared, skirt-like bottom, with intricate work and [[dupatta]], which is usually worn in the traditional Gujarati manner. Chaniya Cholis are decorated with beads, shells, mirrors, stars, and embroidery work, mati, etc. Traditionally, women adorn themselves with jhumkas (large earrings), necklaces, [[Bindi (decoration)|bindi]], bajubandh, chudas and kangans, kamarbandh, payal, and mojiris. Boys and men wear kafni pyjamas with a ''Ghagra'' - a short round [[kurta]] - above the knees and pagadi on the head with bandhini dupatta, kada, and mojiris. In Gujarati, this costume worn by men is called ''<nowiki/>'Kediyu'.'' Over the years, the interest in Garba has only increased. There is a huge interest in Garba among the youth of India and in particular, the Gujarati diaspora. Traditionally, this dance is performed in concentric circles and the entire group performs once step in sync, with the beat starting slow and slowly catching on speed.
The dance is a counterclockwise [[circle dance]], alternatively participants can form concentric circles moving in opposite directions. The dance gathers speed as it progresses. Its main aspect consists of encircling an image or symbolic representation (like a clay pot), representing the [[shakti]] of goddess [[Durga]]. Garba dances honour the [[Navadurga|nine forms of Durga]] during the [[Navaratri]] ("Nine Nights") festival and celebrates fertility and womanhood.<ref name=":0" />


Garba and Dandiya Raas are also popular in the United States where more than 20 universities have Raas/Garba competitions on a huge scale every year with professional choreography. The Canadian city of Toronto now hosts North America's largest annual garba by number of attendees.<ref> http://www.torontogarba.com/</ref> Garba is also very popular in the United Kingdom where there are a number of Gujarati communities who hold their own Garba nights and widely popular among the Gujarati community worldwide.
==Recognition==
[[Image:UWoB2011.jpg|thumb|800px|center|<center>Women and men performing Garba as part of Navratri celebrations in [[Vadodara]].</center>]]
[[Image:UWoB2011.jpg|thumb|800px|center|{{center|Women and men performing Garba as part of huge Navratri celebrations in [[Vadodara]].}}]]
Garba has spread beyond Gujarat all over India and among the [[Indian diaspora]] worldwide. For instance, garba is popular among [[British Gujaratis|Gujarati communities in the United Kingdom]] where there are a number of these communities hold their own garba nights. Garba competitions are now also organised by [[Dance troupe|dance troupes]] in universities since the turn of the millenium.<ref name=":0" />


==Tradition==
In December 2023, [[UNESCO]] recognized garba on the list of the world's [[Intangible cultural heritage]].<ref> {{Cite news |date=2023-12-06 |title=Unesco declares Gujarat's Garba as Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unesco-declares-gujarats-garba-as-intangible-cultural-heritage/articleshow/105786410.cms |access-date=2026-01-24 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |title=A Joyous Swirl: UNESCO Tags Gujarat's Garba An Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/a-joyous-swirl-unesco-tags-gujarats-garba-an-intangible-cultural-heritage/90223/1 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=[[Forbes India]] |language=en}}</ref>
Garba is a Gujarati folk dance celebrated in [[Navratri]], a celebration lasting nine nights. Garba songs typically revolve around the subjects of the nine goddesses. Garba styles vary from place to place in Gujarat.


The traditional costume of the Garba dancer is red, pink, yellow, orange, and brightly colored chanya, [[choli]] or [[Gagra choli|ghagra choli]]; [[dupatta]] with [[bandhani]] ([[tie-dye]]), [[Shisha (embroidery)|abhla]] (big mirrors) or with thick Gujarati borders. They also wear heavy jewellery, such as 2-3 necklaces, sparkling bangles, waist belts, and long oxidized earrings. Traditionally men wear an ethnic ''kedia'' and a pajama or a dhoti with an oxidized bracelet and necklace. Normally, the dandiya sticks are Wooden.
==See also==
*[[Kediyu]], traditional dress for men for the garba
*[[Chaniya choli]], traditional dress for women for the garba
*[[List of Indian folk dances]]
*[[List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in India]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}<br />{{Dance in India}}
{{Reflist}}
 
==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Britannica|id=225552|title=Garba}}
*[https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/01962 Garba] at [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage]]
*[http://www.indianfolkdances.com/garba-folk-dances-of-gujarat.html Garba] at indianfolkdances.com
 
{{Dance in India}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:Asian folk dances]]
[[Category:Circle dances]]
[[Category:Dances of India]]
[[Category:Dances of India]]
[[Category:Gujarati culture]]
[[Category:Group dances]]
[[Category:Performing arts in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of India]]
[[Category:Social dance]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian folk music]]

Latest revision as of 20:33, 18 March 2026


Garba
People performing garba (dance) in Vadodara during Navratri festival.
Instrument(s)Singing and Sitar as well as Dhol
OriginGujarat, India

Template:Infobox intangible heritage

Garba is an Indian folk dance. It is a form of circle and social dance originating from Gujarat, and played across the Indian diaspora on festivals and other events.[1]

Garba is traditionally danced by women as part of the annual Hindu festival of Navaratri (or "Nine Nights"), held in celebration of Amba Mata, or the primordial mother, an incarnation of Durga. Garbas form part of Navaratri celebrations at fairs and feasts. Typically, at the end of each Navaratri night of dance, the community also plays dandiya raas, a sibling circle-dance form, in which players hold a stick in each hand and tap out a rhythm with a partner. Everyone is invited to join garba and raas, and people of all ages dance together. It is played around an earthen pot with holes on the sides, revealing a flame inside (a symbol of the jiva or soul inside the womb). Alternatively, a picture or statue of the Hindu goddess Amba may be placed in the center of the circle. When there are large numbers of participants, they make concentric circles to form rings around the object of veneration.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word garba comes from the Sanskrit word (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) for "womb" and so implies gestation or pregnancy — life. Folk dances in Gujarat are frequently performed to mark the first menstrual cycle or are performed to mark a marriage.[2][3]

Dance, music and symbolism[edit | edit source]

Modern garba is also heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas, a dance traditionally performed by men. The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy dance that is seen today.[4] Traditional garba music accompanying the dance involves the dhol and dholak (Indian drums), cymbals and shehnai (an Indian flute).[3]

The dance is a counterclockwise circle dance, alternatively participants can form concentric circles moving in opposite directions. The dance gathers speed as it progresses. Its main aspect consists of encircling an image or symbolic representation (like a clay pot), representing the shakti of goddess Durga. Garba dances honour the nine forms of Durga during the Navaratri ("Nine Nights") festival and celebrates fertility and womanhood.[3]

Recognition[edit | edit source]

Women and men performing Garba as part of huge Navratri celebrations in Vadodara.

Garba has spread beyond Gujarat all over India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. For instance, garba is popular among Gujarati communities in the United Kingdom where there are a number of these communities hold their own garba nights. Garba competitions are now also organised by dance troupes in universities since the turn of the millenium.[3]

In December 2023, UNESCO recognized garba on the list of the world's Intangible cultural heritage.[5][6]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Desai, Parijat, "Dance In The Round: Embodying Inclusivity and Interdependence through Garba" in Music and Dance of Everyday South Asia, Oxford University Press, 2024.
  2. ↑ Desai, Anjali (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. p. 43. ISBN 9780978951702.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Template:Cite EBO
  4. ↑ Sinha, Aakriti (2006). Let's Know Dances Of India. Star Publications. p. 26. ISBN 9788176500975. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  5. ↑ "Unesco declares Gujarat's Garba as Intangible Cultural Heritage". The Times of India. 2023-12-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  6. ↑ "A Joyous Swirl: UNESCO Tags Gujarat's Garba An Intangible Cultural Heritage". Forbes India. Retrieved 2024-10-11.

External links[edit | edit source]

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