By Krishiv Shah
Levittown, NY — Garba, a traditional dance form originating from the Indian state of Gujarat, is performed during the Hindu festival of Navratri. It involves rhythmic, circular movements around an image or statue of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the cycle of life and the goddess's victory over evil. For Indian Americans, especially the youth, Garba serves as a powerful way to reconnect with their cultural roots.
This year, songs like "Kanudo Zilva Hendyo" and "Mari Mata Na Pagla" have trended across social media platforms like TikTok, where young Indian Americans proudly showcase their Garba outfits and dance moves. It is amazing to see Garba participation digitally, allowing the Indian American diaspora to share their love for the celebration, especially youth.
My experience with Garba this year was especially memorable. I attended the Rotary Club of Jericho Sunrise's Dandiya Night at Levittown Hall on Friday, October 11th. Chaired by Vidhi Shah, alongside President Jaya Bhooplapur, Vice President Gayathri Murali, and co-chairs Sunita Sadhnani and Priya Suri, the event was a vibrant celebration, with over 250 attendees. It wasn’t just about the beautiful music and dance — the Rotary Club raised more than $18,000 for the Gift of Life India charity, which provides medical aid to children in need.
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(Image courtesy: Rotary Club of Jericho Sunrise)
One of the highlights of the evening was the appearance of North Hempstead Town Clerk, Ragini Srivastava, who presented the Rotary Club with official town citations in recognition of their outstanding efforts. It was inspiring to see the community come together, not only to celebrate Navratri but also to give back.
As a high school student balancing academics and extracurriculars, attending the event was a much-needed break. Dancing Garba surrounded by hundreds of people, all united in our shared cultural heritage, reminded me of how close-knit our community can be.
Nitin Rajagopalan, a junior at Syosset High School, shared my sentiment, saying, “I thought that the Garba was a really well-run event, and it was a great way to end my Navratri celebration.” In the end, Garba is more than just a dance. It's a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and how we can preserve our heritage while living in a different world. Events like the Rotary Garba bring that connection to life.
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Krishiv Shah, the founder and submission coordinator of Kaleidoscope, is an Indian-American senior at Syosset High School with aspirations to pursue a degree in South Asian Studies and Business.
