The South Asian Culture Club put on an energetic celebration of Indian culture with a Garba dance night in the John England Jr. Hall Ballroom.
Garba is a traditional Hindu folk dance that celebrates feminine power, centering on the goddess Durga. Participants dance in a circular motion accompanied by a strong drum rhythm.
Students arrived at John England Jr. Hall dressed in vibrant outfits, wearing traditional dresses and suits that allowed them to stand out and show their cultural pride. When the dancing began, it created a whirlwind of color.
“It’s something that’s very close to a lot of Indian students,” said Manav Patel, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering and the SACC’s secretary. “It’s also something that we can share with the community, because everyone here loves a lot about India.”
Food for the event was provided by local restaurant Sitar of India, with dishes including samosas and chicken tikka. After guests had dinner, the dancing began and music filled the space.
The dance begins slowly, with the participants stepping in sync with each other in a counterclockwise circle, and gradually increases with the rhythm of the drums. By the end, it reaches a speed that can make it difficult to keep up with but is nonetheless thrilling to partake in.
“I have fond memories of dancing at Garba nights or at my grandparents’ houses,” said Bhavvya Singh Devra, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering. “I think I’ve missed that for the past few years, and hopefully at Alabama I can relive that with new friends.”
Dandiya Raas, another dance, then took place. The dance uses Dandiya sticks, which are hit to the beat of the music. The dance involved finding a partner and hitting each other’s sticks together, also increasing in pace as the music went on.
For Yasmeen Boomhauer, a sophomore in nursing, Garba night was an opportunity to find community.
“With so many people, it can be hard to be able to embrace your culture,” Boomhauer said. “With the traditional clothing and everyone coming together, that’s what appealed to me.”
The night ended in a party, with popular contemporary Indian songs being played and sung along to and a more freeform dance breaking out.
“It brings a lot of belonging to the community,” Devra said. “You don’t feel alienated. You feel more at home.”
