FESTIVAL
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 28th September 2013
Navratri
A time of worship, dance and song
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avratri - literally means “nine nights” is celebrated in India, and elsewhere where Indians are settled around the world, as a time of worship, dance and song. The festival is celebrated during October or November (depending on where the dates fall on the lunar Hindu calendar). This year Navratri is celebrated from 5th October to 13th October in India. There are several religious interpretations in Hinduism which link Navratri, but it has become much less of a religious event now. People go to garba as a part of the Indian culture. It is a time when people can come together as a community and share something of the culture. In Britain, people celebrated Navratri at more than 500 places last year. The festivities were attended, in some places, by more than 1,000 people. At one of the largest venues, 2,000 people danced late into the night. This year, more than 40,000 people from across the country are expected to join in the celebrations in Leicester, between September 21 and 30. Two of India’s most renowned groups, Anand Melodies and Poly Tunes, will be travelling to the city to play at two venues. The festivities take the form of traditional folk dances called garba and dandya-raas. Garba is generally performed in concentric circles where the dances become more intricate as one moves closer to the centre. Dandya-raas is often performed later in
the night using decorative sticks which are hit against each other following the rhythm of traditional songs. In both instances, Brightly dressed dancers glide past each other. The gold and silver jewellery which adorms them glints under the bright lights. The air is muggy and thick with sweat, perfume, and the vague aroma of the Diwas and the incense sticks. The huge concentric circles grow and twist together, bound by the steady beat of a tabla drum. Feet and arms move quickly as the dancers gracefully complete the circles around a central alter. The excitement grows as the music grows faster and louder. The dancers laugh and clap through the final exhausting moments until the music stops. A cry rings throughout the venue, “Umba mata ki jai,” as the dancers and spectators give thanks and praise in honor of the patron goddess of Navratro. The dances, especially, rass are often wild and intense; however, much like ballroom dancing or Latin dancing, each have defined steps with individuals adding their own style and flare. As the night, comes to a close and the sound of dandya-raas sticks resound through the venue, few spectators can remain seated. Both old and young alike come together to share in dances which are centuries old. A country celebrates Navratri takes various
forms in India. In the North, where Rama is revered with more fervour, the festival of Ram-Leela is celebrated. They rejoice Rama’s victory over Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. It is a dramatic open air representation of the core incidents of Ramayana designed to instruct the moral teachings of the epic. The incidents selected for special representation deal mainly with the war in Lanka between Rama’s forces led by Hanuman. Ram-Leela ends with the defeat and death of Ravana whose immense effigy, made of bamboo lattice work pasted over with paper, is set on fire and blown up with fireworks at the conclusion of the performance. This takes place on the tenth day, which is called Vijaya Dashami. In Bengal, the Goddess
sented in female form, who is regarded, in her most comprehensive character, as the living Energy or Life-force of Nature. Although, Durga puja lasts nine days and nine nights, the last three days are the most important and the main worship Sandhi-Puja - is offered on Mahaa Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri. In Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with special worship to the Divine Power Shakti with traditional folk dances - the Garba. Men and women, young and old offer their devotion to the Goddess by singing melodious and devotional songs to the beats of the drum and traditional instruments accompanying it. The celebration sometimes lasts late into the night, in an atmosphere full of gaiety. In every household, an oil-lamp is
Durga - the more martial and frightening aspect of Parvati - is worshipped on the Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri. Durga puja began with the Shakta sect who worshipped Shakti - the divine attribute of power repre-
kept burning day and night and a daily worship is offered to the divine mother. Fasting is also a part of offering and devotion to the goddess. Dashera celebrations on the tenth day mark the end of Navratri.
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Maataji Ni Aarti Jaya Aadya Shakti Maa, Jaya Aadya Shakti Akhand Brahmaand Neepavya, Akhand Brahmaand Neepavya, Padave Pandit Maa Om Jayo Jayo Maa Jagadambe, Dwitiya Bay Swarup Shivashakti Janu Maa Shivashakti , Janu Brahma Ganapti Gaye, Brahma Ganapti Gaye, Har Gaaye Har Maa... Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Tritiya Tran Swarup, Tribhuvan Ma Betha, Maa Tribhuvan Ma Betha, Traya Thaki Taraveni, Traya Thaki Taraveni, Tu Taraveni Maa.... Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Chouthe Chatura Mahalaxmi, Maa Sachara Char Vyapya, Maa Sachara Char Vyapya, Char Bhuja Cho Disha, Char Bhuja Cho Disha, Pragtya Dakshin Ma...Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Panchame Panch Rushi, Panchami Gunapadma Maa Panchami Gunapadma, Panch Sahashtra Tya Sohiye, Panch Sahashtra Tya Sohiye, Panche Tatvo Ma...Om Jayo Jayo Maa Shashthi Tu Narayani, Mahishasur Maryo, Maa Mahishasur Maryo, Nar-nari Na Rupe, Nar-nari Na Rupe, Vyapaya Sagadhe Maa..Om Jayo Jayo Maa.... Saptami Sapt Patal, Sandhya Savitri, Maa Sandhya Savitri, Gau Ganga Gayatri, Gau Ganga Gayatri, Gauri Geeta Maa..Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Ashthmi Ashtha Bhujao, Ayi Ananda, Maa Ayi Ananda, Sunivar Munivar Janamya, Sunivar Munivar Janamya, Dev Daityo Maa..Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Navmi Navkul Naag, Sevey Navadurga, Maa Sevey Navadurga, Navratri Na Pujan, Shivratri Na Archan Kidha Har Brahma....Om Jayo Jayo Maa.... Dashami Dash Avtaar, Jay Vijyadashami, Maa Jay Vijyadashami, Ramey Ram Ramadya, Ramey Ram Ramadya, Ravan Rodyo Maa....Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Ekadashi Agyarus, Kaatyayani Kaama, Maa Kaatyayani Kaama, Kaam Durga Kalika, Kaam Durga Kalika, Shyama Ne Rama...Om Jayo Jayo Maa Barase Bala Roop, Bahuchari Amba Maa, Maa Bahuchari Amba Maa, Batuk Bhairav Sohiye, Kal Bhairav Sohiye, Taara Chhe Tuja Maa.....Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Terase Tulja Roop, Tume Taruni Mata, Maa Tume Taruni Mata, Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Gun Tara Gaata..Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Choudasey Chouda Roop, Chandi Chamunda Maa Chandi Chamunda, Bhaav Bhakti Kayi Apo, Chaturai Kayi Apo, Sinh Vahini Mata...Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Punamey Kumbh Bharyo, Shambhaljo Karuna, Maa Shambhaljo Karuna, Vashist Deve Vakhania, Markand Deve Vakhania, Gayi Subh Kavita...Om Jayo Jayo Maa.. Sauvant Sole Sattaavan, Saulashey Baavisha Maa, Maa Saulashey Baavish Maa, Sauvant Soley Pragatyaan, Sauvanta Soley Pragatyaan, Revaa Ne Tirey, Har Ganga Ne Tirey..Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Trambaavati Nagari, Aaye Roopaavati Nagari, Maa Manchaavati Nagari, Sola Sahastra Traan Sohiye, Sola Sahastra Traan Sohiye, Kshamaa Karo Gauri, Maa Dayaa Karo Gauri,Om Jayo Jayo Maa... Shivashakti Ni Aarti, Je Koyee Gaashey, Maa Je Bhaavey Gaashey, Bhaney Shivaananda Swaami, Bhaney Shivaananda Swaami Sukh Sampati Thaasshey, Maa Kailaashey Jaashey, Maa Ambaa Dukh Harashey, Om Jayo Jayo Maa Jagadambe
Coming Events for Navratri
l Saturday 5th – Saturday 12th October 2013 – Navratri at Sanatan Mandir in Crawley at 7.30pm. Contact: 01293 519 130 l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at Crest Girls Academy, Dollis Hill Lane, Neasden, NW2 7SN from 7.30pm – 11.30pm
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at Asian Community Centre, White Hart Road, Plumstead, SE18 1DG. Contact: 07780533391.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at Bexleyheath Academy, Woolwich Road, DA6 7DA. From 8pm – midnight. Contact: 01322 271 186.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at National Association of Patidar Samaj Building, 26B Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0RG. From 8pm till 11pm. Contact: 07814005096.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at Grand Marquee, SKLPC Centre Northolt, India Gardens, West End Road, Middlesex UB5 6RE. From 7.30pm – 11pm. Contact: 07831430812.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at Alperton Community School, Ealing Road, Wembley. From 7.30pm – 11pm. Contact: 07984187708.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri Ras Garba 2013 at Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Middlesex, UB6 9LB. From 8pm-10pm. Contact: 020 8578 8088.
l Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th October 2013 – Navratri at The Kapital Venue, Charter Street, Leicester, LE1 3UD. From 8pm till late. Contact: 0116 266 2644. Continued on page 30