Women (and men) dancing around an image of the Goddess Amba during Navratri at the Hindu Community Temple, Maputo, Mozambique

Garba (also spelled Gharba), is an Indian form of dance that originated in the Gujarat region. Unlike other famous types of Indian dance, such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi, Gharba is much more similar to Western social dancing than the presentational style of the others. The greatest difference between Gharba and western social dancing is that it is circular and is religious in origin. Image File history File links Garba-circle03. ... Image File history File links Garba-circle03. ... For other uses, see Dance (disambiguation). ... Gujarat (Gujarati: , , IPA ; also spelled Gujrat and sometimes Gujarath. ... India offers a number of Classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. ... Stamp issued in honour of Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam (also spelled Bharathanatyam, Bharatnatyam or Bharata Natyam) is a classical dance form originating in India. ... Odissi (or Orissi) is the traditional style of dance which originated in the temples of the state of Orissa in Eastern India, where it was performed by the devadasis. ... Biss second full length proper. ...

The name Garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha Deep. Garbha, when translated, most closely resembles the English preposition inside, and Deep is a small earthenware lamp. For this reason, many traditional Garbas are performed around a central lit lamp. Traditionally, it is performed during a 9 day festival called Navratri (Nav = 9, Ratri = nights). Navratri celebrates the Goddess Amba as well as other popular Hindu gods and goddesses. This festival, most commonly celebrated by women, that celebrates the Hindu Goddess Amba, the Mother Goddess. Traditionally, either the lamp (the Garba Deep), or an image of Amba is placed in the middle of the concentric rings deliniating the dance, as an object of veneration. People dance around the deity clapping rhythmically.At every step they gracefully bend sideways, the arms coming together in beautiful sweeping gestures, up and down, left and right, each movement ending in clap. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with adposition. ... Earthenware is a particularly common type of ceramic material and is used extensively for tableware and decorative objects. ... Lamp can be: A portable light fixture such as a table lamp or reading lamp (common usage) Lamp (electrical component), a replacable component that produces light, such as: Incandescent light bulb, also known as an incandescent lamp Fluorescent lamp Gas discharge lamp Arc lamp Signal lamp, a device used for... Hinduism (Sanskrit: , IAST: ), also known as , (IAST: ) and , (IAST: ) is a set of religious traditions that originated mainly in the Indian subcontinent. ... Amba was the eldest daughter of King of Kashi. ...

Modern Garba is also heavily influenced by Dandiya, 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, and is meant to represent the sword of the avenging Goddess Durga. The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy, exciting dance that is seen today. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Garba (dance). ...

The Dandiya Raas dance

Image File history File links Garba-dandia02. ... Image File history File links Garba-dandia02. ...

External links

• Description of Garba and other forms of dance from Gujarat
• Official FOGANA Website with more information on competitions as well as a history of Garba itself
• Garba With Attitude (GWA), a national Garba/Raas competition
• Nonstop Garba Songs With Falguni Pathak