by Sunaina Chaturvedi (H No. 11121, 98119 26287)
With the change in season (and things cooling down a little), the one thing that every Indian now looks forward to is a celebration! And with a hint of autumn or sharad ritu, in the morn-
ing and evening air, everyone looks forward to the grand celebration that the Navratris bring!
At AOH, it was no different. With an emphasis on making up for lost time, the AOA announced a Garba Night on 2nd of October, and the talented and enthusiastic residents swung into action to prepare their dance performances. From making groups ranging from little children as small as 4 to ladies across age groups) to giving them identities, to choosing their songs, to their matching outfits, and even hiring choreographers, the different dance groups practised for weeks to put together stellar performances of the programme!
On D-Day, with bright decorations and lights in and around the amphitheatre, and food spread to keep up with the festivities, it could not have been a more perfect setting with a large audience turnout, all decked up in traditional clothing, waiting for their turns to dance.
Prabhat (8183), our master of ceremonies for the evening kept the enthusiasm alive, encouraging the participants, and later, encouraging all others to continue on the dance floor.
The children’s groups included Funkie Monkies (kamariya), Little Dandiya Stars (Medley), Dancing Angels (Mashup), Nidhima & Friends (Mashup), Firefly Girls (Mashup), Dancing Divas (Nagadey), Garba Swaggers (Medley), while the ladies’ groups that were a part of the performances included Dancing Jewels (Medley), Priyanka & Friends (Medley), Gujariya Gang (Medley) and Massakkali (Ayo Re Mashup).
The pandemic (and its subsequent fading away) has taught us many things. One of them is to celebrate every given occasion with greater joy, and a previously unmatched zeal!
