More first-timers at Garba classes for Navratri this year

Nagpur: As the trainer Kunal Vaidya gives the beat, the group of women in their early 50s and 60s begins to swirl, twirl and take a leap. This is a new step, ghoda, and the ladies with stiff knee joints are finding it a wee bit tough to get it right. “I am a banker and the nine to five job does not afford me much exercise or activity,” says 55-year-old Smita Pendharkar who has joined the Garba classes for the first time.“Coming here for learning and practice is a good change in routine for me,” she says.
There has been a rise in number of middle-aged women in these classes held every year 15 days prior to Navratri. “I got many calls this year from women who wanted to know if there is any upper age limit for learning,” Vaidya says. “Usually we have an equal number of men and women who join our classes but over the past couple of years there have been more women,” he says.
“Many of them are not able to go for the Garba during Navratris as they are busy with fasting and rituals. Here they enjoy and get to dance for a fortnight that keeps them fit and happy,” he adds.
There are many first timers too at the various Garba classes. “This is exciting as we are getting to really move and shake our legs and bodies,” says Rekha Deshpande, a teacher also in her 50s. “Fitness is our aim but now that I am learning the steps, I think I will go to a pandal also during Navratri,” said homemaker Saroj Tambi.
Dance instructor Chetan Dashamukhe has made two batches of women. One is 16 to 35 years and the other 36 to 55 years. “There are many first timers as now elderly women are also getting an urge to take part,” he says adding they are happily grooving to numbers like Kala chashma and the peacock and selfie steps that he has innovated.
It is not just the steps, an entire get up for performing Garba has to be acquired. “The demand varies from individuals to groups,” says Nitish Madhani of Mamata Natya Shrungar that rents out and also sells Garba dresses for men and women. “Last year there were 900 bookings but this year I am yet to start marketing,” says Madhani, who manufactures the dresses and also runs Garba classes. A dress can be rented for as low as 200 per day and as high as 3,000. “The higher one is an exclusive design that can’t be found anywhere else,” he says.