Here’s What Garba Organisers Have in Mind for Virtual Navratri Celebrations This Festive Season

by  Komal Darji Entertainment | October 22, 2020 | News

Korakendra Grounds Pentagon Events EsselWorld

Just as the Maharashtra Government mandated low-key celebrations for the Ganesh Utsav in September this year, it has set restrictions for the Navratri festival too. Observing the spread of the disease and increasing number of cases, the Maharashtra and Gujarat governments have cancelled on-ground Garba and Dandiya gatherings for Navratri this year. As everybody is equipped digitally, many organizers and artistes have opted for virtual Navratri celebrations, aiming to give dance lovers a chance to enjoy Navratri this year, albeit in the confines of their homes.

Organisers will set up live performances with singers and instrumentalists either in studios, banquet halls or in their usual grounds, and live-stream them on Zoom, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.

Ganesh Naidu of Naidu Club, a popular venue for Garba, was quoted in the media as saying that to keep up with his 20-year-old tradition, he has invested Rs 10-15 lakh this year to hold Garbawithout earning any returns due to no advertisements.

Talking to the media about this year’s virtual Navratri celebration, another Garba organizer Jignesh Khilani commented that they have daily competitions for different Svups, couples and best-dressed dancers where winners will come together for a grand finale on Dussehra.

Riyaz Sayed and Khushbu Vaid, Directors at Pentagon Events, said, “We are bringing virtual Navratri to our audiences and delivering the essence of the festivities by not compromising on the dance moves. The audience can now dance in the comfort of their homes with their loved ones. It is time to remove that pause and hit the play button!”

Various virtual Navratri celebrations include

1- Naidu Club Virtual Navratri 2020:  The event is organised on the Korakendra Grounds with limited people as per Government rules, where aarti and Garbaare performed and broadcast live on online platforms like Zoom, YouTube and television channels.

2- Virtual Navratri 2020: Kirtidhan Gadhvi along with Soulbeatsis organising a four-day virtual Navratri celebration from October 21 to 25. The event will have performances by renowned artistes from North Gujarat and Saurashtra such as Osman Mir, Geeta Ben, Nisha Barot, Aditya Gadhavi, Kairavi Buch, Gaman Santhal, Rajal Barot, Kajal Maheriya, Umesh Barot, Nilesh Gadhvi, Dharmesh Barot, Sagardan Gadhavi, Rashmitaben Rabari, Dev Bhatt, Sohil Bloch.

3- NavJalsa 2020: NavJalsa, an intellectual property by Pentagon Events and Activations, is a traditional star-studded performance event being held virtually for three evenings of Navratri from October 23 to 25.

4- Bollywood Garba Nights: From October 24, 2020, 8 pm onwards, EsselWorld will be hosting DJ Lil B to play some of the grooviest Bollywood music with a flavour of Navratri that will be streamed live on their Instagram channel.

5- The Global Navratri Utsav 2020: PK Events will be hosting virtual Navratri celebration on Zoom with emceeBhavna Jain and DJ Sam. They will have prizes for Ms Graceful, Mr Energetic, Best Costume, Best Non-stop performer, Best Garba steps, Best Child Performer, Best Quirky Outfit and more.

6- Prerna Raas: A virtual Garba organizer, Jignesh Khilani, along with MP Manoj Kotak, has set up the PrernaRaas event, which sends daily Zoom links to registered participants, including housing societies.