Come Navratri festival, Garba, and Dandiya Raas – the traditional Gujarati festivities are the place to head for. They are now popular crowd pullers well beyond Gujarat, across the cities in India, and even abroad where Gujaratis live. The traditional dance in colorful attire with people dancing to popular Garba songs or Dandiya songs is a delight to watch. Some of these songs are traditional in the local Gujarati language. Can Bollywood be behind, no, they too have several popular songs in the movies.
What is Garba and Dandiya Raas?
Navaratri as we know means the nine nights of the Goddess. These 9 days and nights celebrate the Devi across India in their own ways. Bengal has Durga Puja, Telangana has Bathukamma, Tamil Nadu has Golu, North India goes vegetarian and fasts. In Gujarat, it is celebrated in the most vibrant fashion with two dance forms – Garba and Dandiya.
Garba represents Garbha or the womb which in turn represents fertility. The Goddess is invoked in a clay pot, with a lamp, lit inside it. This is called Garba. The dance performed to invite the Goddess into this pot came to be known as Garba. It is performed before the Arti. The movements involved are circular around the Garba, representing the circle of life and death for us humans, while the mother remains eternal like the light. Garba thus is more devotional in nature and is accompanied by songs praising the Devi.
Do read – 50 Places in India named after Devi
Celebration
Dandiya Raas is a celebration, usually performed after the Arti. Some accounts say that this was originally performed only by men, but these days it is done by both men and women. In fact, couples do it with colorful sticks called Dandiya in their hands.
An interpretation of sticks used to dance says that they represent the weapons of the Devi that were used to kill the Asuras. One thing is for sure the energy required to perform this dance is a lot.
The best part of Dandiya is the colorful attire. Men are dressed in Kediyu, Kafni Pajamas, and an occasional Pagdi. Kediyu is usually adorned with mirrorwork and embroidery. Women dress in the best of fineries with colorful Chaniya Cholis and even more vibrant Odhnis. They look resplendent as if Devi herself has descended on earth.
To visit a Dandiya pandal in Gujarat is like witnessing the biggest riot of colors. Of course, it is also the biggest dance festival in the world.
Garba Songs Dandiya Raas
Traditional Gujarati Dandiya Garba Songs
Kesariyo Rang Tane Lagyo by Falguni Pathak
This video is that of popular singer Falguni Pathak performing live at Mangal Navratri at Goregaon Sports Club, Mumbai organized by Mangal Entertainment on October 18, 2012. Watch the Kesariyo Rang Tane Lagyo, Amu Kaka Bapa Na song video. Do watch the popular traditional Gujarati language songs.
Ke Odhni Odhu Odhu Ne Udi Jaye
Audio song of Ke Odhni Odhu Odhu Ne Udi Jaye from the album Meru Malan. Sung by Alka Yagnik and Praful Dave. The music Composer is Mahesh – Naresh. The lyricist is Kanti Ashok. Label Saregama India Limited.
Mehandi Te Vavi – Rang Gayo Gujarat
Navratri special Dandiya Garba track that is sung by the popular singer/performer Falguni Pathak.
Ultimate Dandiya Mix Garba songs in the Gujarati language
Top 10 Navratri special songs in Gujarati. You must watch it.
- Navrat Naveli
- Padvethi Pelu Manu Nortu
- Ramto Bhamto Jay
- Hichko Amba Tano Sambhlaye
- Sonano Garbo Rupano Garbo
- Ambemano Ghamar Ghaduliyo
- Tarnetarna Re Ame Mele Gyata
- Maa Taro Garbo Jhakamjhol
- Jhule Jhule Chhe Gabbarni Manye
- Patnani Shaherni Naar Padmani
Album by Zhankaro. The singer is Kavita, Jaideep, and Dipak. Music by Moulik Mehta. Lyricist Manu Rabari/Dhanudas. Label Raghav Music Company
Bollywood Songs
Here is a curated list of them from Bollywood and the traditional ones as well. So, celebrate the festivities with your favorite music and dance.
Sabse Bada Tera Naam Re
Watch this Sherawali Mata, Hai Naam Re Sabse Bada Tera Naam devotional song video on youtube using the below link.
He Naam Re Sabse Bada Tera Naam – Sherawali Mata, Devotional Song
O Sheronwali song – Suhaag
O Sheronwali song from the movie Suhaag, starring Amitabh Bachchan & Rekha. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohd Rafi. Lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Below is the youtube link.
O Sheronwali | Amitabh Bachchan | Rekha | Suhaag 1979 Songs | Asha Bhosle | Mohd Rafi
Main Tu Bhool Chali Babul Ka Desh – Saraswatichandra
1968 movie Saraswatichandra starring Nutan, Manish, Vijaya Choudhury, and Ramesh Deo. Music by Kalyanji Anandji. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Directed by Govind Saraiya. A superhit song of its time, watch and listen on youtube using the below link.
Main To Bhool Chali Babul Ka Des
Dholi Taro Dhol Baje – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Dance number Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Music by Ismail Darbar. Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai & Ajay Devgn starred movie produced & directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Sung by Hariharan & Kavita Krishnamurthy.
Do read: Top 20 Rain Songs from Bollywood – Monsoon Music
Radha Kaise Na Jale – Lagaan
Aamir Khan as Krishna teases his Radha played by Gracy Singh in this entertaining song from the movie Lagaan. Sung by Asha Bhosale and Udit Narayan. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are composed by A.R. Rahman. A music label of Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd.
Nagada Sang Dhol Baaje – Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Celebrate Navratri Garba with “Nagada Sang Dhol” from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela featuring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. Sung by Shreya Ghoshal & Osman Mir. Music by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Lyrics by Siddharth-Garima.
Chogada Tara – Loveyatri
Bollywood Movie Loveyatri song “Chogada”. It features Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain. The movie is directed by Abhiraj Minawala. This popular song is sung by Darshan Raval and Asees Kaur. Lyrics by Darshan Raval and additional lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed. Music by Lijo George and Dj Chetas. The song is based on ‘Hey Ranglo’ written & composed by Avinash Vyas.
Do read: Top 20 Bollywood songs on trains – you must see
Kamaraiya – Mitron
Festive dance track from the film Mitron. The movie starring Jackky Bhagnani and Kritika Kamra, the Kamariya song is for your dance party playlists. Sung by Darshan Raval, it is composed by Lijo George and DJ Chetas. Lyrics by Kumaar Singers.
Do read: Bollywood songs – Famous Indian Destinations & Monuments
So, which of these are your favorite Dandiya songs?
Great very nice festival information provided by Garba songs and Dandia. we should follow our culture you proved that. good article
Their dresses are so beautiful then the dance they did is also.
These are some traditions, which are still alive in India. This folk dance is one of the oldest dance forms, which is still playing an important part in the Gujarati community. I want to know more about this dance and tradition, will wait for your other post on this..!
Thank you for sharing this information,