Navratri Garba celebration begins
By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Above the din of conversation, the unmistakable sound of bells could be heard jingling down the hall of South Brunswick High School recently, as a small group of brightly-clad girls stepped their way through a dance routine, some more haltingly than others.
Vibrant skirts of every color and degree of embellishment swirled through the movements, and jewelry of all kinds sparkled and flashed, as the girls helped each other with the routine – marked as much by giggling as by concentration – before heading back into the school’s gymnasium.
The girls were part of the Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey’s annual Grand Navratri Garba celebration, which takes place over the course of three weekends this year, kicked off at 8 p.m. Friday night at the high school.
The event, which began Sept. 26-27, will run Oct. 3-4 and again Oct. 10-11, from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., according to the organization. It will be held at the high school again Oct. 3-4 and at Crossroads South Middle School Oct. 10-11. Crossroads South is located at 195 Major Road in Monmouth Junction. South Brunswick High School is located at 750 Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction.
According to event organizer Mac Shah, the celebration marks the festival of nine nights, during which Hindus worship the goddesses of Shakti Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Hindus believe that the Goddess Durga destroys all the evil propensities lurking in the minds of her devotees, that the Goddess Lakshmi implants divine qualities in devotees’ minds and that the Goddess Saraswati bestows true knowledge on her devotees. The 10th day, also known as Vijay Dashami, commemorates the victory of good over evil, according to the organization.
The gymnasium floor took on a temple atmosphere for the night, with the Goddess Amba Maa’s statue set up in the middle, as dancers thronged the floor, circling the center with choreographed energy.
"The generation that is born and brought up here has no understanding of how this event is being celebrated in India. That’s the reason we want them to have a taste of India in America," Mr. Shah said, the sound of traditional music blaring in the background. "We are doing it locally here because it is so convenient for the parents to come here and drop their kids and let them enjoy it so they do not have to drive (to other Navratri celebrations further away)."
Niyati Patel, 19, of South Brunswick, said that she has been attending the IACFCJ Garba for the past five years.
"It’s been a great experience, it’s always fun," Ms. Patel said. "I have been to others in Edison and elsewhere but this one is the best!"
She said that the IACFCJ Garba is the best because the space it is held in allows for more room to dance.
Fourteen-year-old Shivani Patel, of Monroe, said that she and her friends like to come as many weekends as they are able to because the Garba is always a good time.
"I love it!" Shivani said. "It’s a lot of fun!"
Newcomer Melissa Leaby, 14, of South Brunswick, who is not of South Asian heritage, said that her first time at the celebration included a spin out on the dance floor.
"I love the culture and it’s really fun to come and just have a good time with the community," Melissa said. "Everyone’s so colorful and it’s a good learning experience about different cultures."
According to Mr. Shah, the Navratri event is well attended by members of both the South Brunswick and surrounding communities, and the organization expects between 1,000 and 2,000 people to attend each night.
Media sponsors for the event include Akilanews.com, TV Asia, Radio Dil, masalajunction.com, NRI Tribune, EBC Radio, Gujarat Darpan, Tiranga, India West, Asian Media USA, Gujarat Samachar, Radio Dil, Divya Bhaskar, Parikh Media Worldwide, Radio Zindagi, Hi India, Sentinel, South Brunswick Patch and South Brunswick Post, according to the organization.

