Collegiate Times

Swirling skirts of bright colors, lively music and a large crowd of dancers make up the Raas-Garba festival, marking the end of the religious event Navratri.

A night of animated dancing and sumptuous food will punctuate the end of nine days of worship for Navratri, during which devotees pray to avatars of the Goddess Durga to mark the beginning of the fall season.

Unlike other cultural shows on campus, the Raas-Garba festival is an interactive event where audience members are the main focus, and the night is a celebration by all.

Although India is a secular country, its Hindu population is 80 percent of its more than one billion people.

Festivals in India usually take place on a large scale, hosted in stadiums or large grounds where an entire community can interact, dance and celebrate.

Nowadays, the religious connotations are not in the forefront of the event as much as the chance to dance and mingle with community members.

The festival held at Virginia Tech will bring a slice of India into Squires Student Center’s Commonwealth Ballroom.

With the prominence of India in the United States’ cultural focus, the Raas-Garba festival, put forth by the Indian Student Association, is a perfect way for students on campus to receive a different glimpse into Indian culture.

The name Raas-Garba comes from the two forms of dance that combine to make a popular genre from the state of Gujarat.

Each state in India has its own distinct culture and each celebrates Navratri differently.

Tech’s festival will be held in line with the well-known Gujarati style.

Raas usually consists of women dancing in a circle, clapping and singing, whereas Garba focuses on the use of “dandiyas,” or decorated sticks, that a couple uses to clap with during dances.

“Dandiyas” will be available to curious guests, but they will be in limited supply, as many Indians often have their own pair.

Live music will be playing for the audience, which makes up the core of the event.

The largest aspect of Raas-Garba is the celebration of the members of the community.

Here in Blacksburg it will be the ISA of the New River Valley and anyone who would like to experience a special cultural evening.

Organizers are expecting anywhere from 150 to 200 people to come out for the event.

The doors of the Commonwealth Ballroom will open for dancing on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m., and food will be served at 7:30 p.m.

While all are welcome to the dance portion of the event, there will be a $5 charge for the dinner catered by India Garden.

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 7 issue of the Collegiate Times.