By Ranjan Kumar Amritnidhi, Delhi

This year Gujarati youth has a new trend of tattoo for Dandia dance during Navratra. Kantilal Patel of Ahmedabad says –
” This year we are preparing for a new style Dandia Dance. Each member of this year dandia dancers will decorate his body with attractive and colorful tatoos.We will organize musical Dandia dance competition for youth.”

“Dandia Raas”, performed at Navratri time in Gujratis the most popular form. In Dandia Raas men and women dance in two circles, with sticks in their hands. In the times Raas did not involve much singing, just the beat of Dhol was enough. “Dandia” or sticks, are about 18″ long. Each dancer holds two although some times when they old are short on Dandiya they will use just one in right hand. Generally in a four beat rhythm opposite sides hit the sticks at the same time, creating a nice sound.

Boys and girls decorated with beautiful rainbow colored tattoos dances at the rhythm of sweet music. This years dandia dance would be “Tatoo Dandia” dance.

Indeed Dandia dance on occasion of the Navratra festival gives us message of love, unity, brotherhood and happiness.

Let’s enjoy dandia dance by participating physically or mentally.

Happy Navratra !!!!

Jai Mata Di !!!!