Gujarati Sunburn!

Finally it’s that time of the year when all the dance lovers can come out and party in style. October brings the much awaited ‘Gujarati Sunburn’ festival called Navratri with the much awaited Dandiya-Garba nights. There is a distinct auspicious tinge in the air with millions of people across the world observing the nine day long fast for Goddess Durga and at the same time dance till their feet’s give away till the wee hours of the morning.  This time of the year is perhaps the only other time (other than the December night parties) when the parents officially allow their teenage children to go out with friends and family to enjoy the beats of the music.

While the Western India is looking forward to the dancing (Navratri is celebrated worldwide but it’s formally a Gujarati dance form), the Eastern India is looking forward to the ‘Durga Puja’ where larger than life Goddess Durga’s murti is placed in a Pandal (fabricated temporary structure) and people throng to catch a glimpse of the goddess and pay their tribute. Soul believes that for anyone visiting India, it is a must to visit both parts of India to witness and be a part of such unique and different form of celebrations. I have never seen a ‘murti’ more beautiful with the perfect features and makeup than that’s done by the artists of Kolkata, neither have I seen the vigor and frenzy in the people the way it is during the Dandiya-Garba nights.

While both the events are full of life and excitement, not to be understated is the need to be at our fashionable best for these festivities. With thousands of people out on the streets and sizing each other up from head to toe, it is but natural we would want to look our best.  A strict garba rule is that one cannot be seen in a particular outfit twice and the festival is 9 days long, Jeez!

Let’s take a look at some of the fashion tips we should keep in mind during Navratri. A garba lover would have definitely sorted out his\her outfits way in advance. But even for the last minuter, all hope is not lost.

• This season, floral prints are totally rocking.
• If you are running late and now the last minute dress rates have gone up, how about bringing out the creativity in you?
• Take a look in your wardrobe and your mom’s. Chances are you will find something or the other in floral prints. Take it straight away to your local darzi and ask him to make you a ghaghra out of it. If the material is not enough for a ghaghra then how about a skirt? Frills and laces are usually available and chances are there may be some with your darzi himself.
• Team it up with a plain color blouse or choli (many are available ready-made).
• You can add a heavy dupatta (chunadi) to your outfit and accessorize the look with oxidize jewellery.
• We would suggest to experiment with colors like lemon yellow, sea blue, fuchsia, purple or hot pink but one can also opt from the safe choices consisting of orange, marsala, red, blue and black.
• Tattoos are very imp if you are planning to go backless. The popular tattoo designs are an image of goddess durga, a lady doing garba, butterfly or a simple paisley design with a lot of color and glitter on it.
• Nail art is another time consuming but very much a fashion-do this Navratri.

For the dance lovers always keep in mind, the heavier the set of clothes you wear, the lesser is your freehand dance movements.

-The beads, mirror work, gota, jari (Brocade) or the more traditional work of Kodi and Aabhla are the ideal choice for a chanya-choli.

-You can also go all-fusion with palazzo pants and a long choli or kurta with a flowy dupatta or a dhoti and choli (remember Priyanka Chopra in her ram chahe leela item song?), with thick anklets.

– Last but not the least the onlookers, who just want to be a part of the festivity and not the dancing, can go in a typical Gujarati dress with moti or bandhani work or skirts with oxidized jewellery. Who knows, you may also become an attention stealer from the professional garba players and catch the judge’s eye and win the best dressed award!

So how about getting ready and planning your dandiya and\or pandal hoping in advance so that you can cover as many venues as possible this Navratri.

SOUL tip on Gujarati Sunburn: This is also the time of the year when the roadside romeos are overtly active. So try moving out in groups and wear artificial jewellery to be safe and sound.

Happy Navratri to all our SOUL readers!

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