Dandiya Raas (India) performed by Libana at Ravi Shankar Center (New Delhi, India) 2011

LIBANA: global music, connecting cultures
Learn more about Libana at www.libana.com/
Libana performed this traditional Gujarati stick dance (as well as its companion Garba dance) throughout our February 2011 tour of North India. Originating as devotional Garba dances (which were always performed honoring the Hindu Goddess Durga during the festival of Navaratri), the Raas is a mock-fight in dance between the Goddess and Mahishasura, the mighty demon-king--with the sticks (dandiyas) of the dance representing the sword of Durga. The circular Garba (see videos of the Garba) is danced before Aarti (the worshipping ritual) in devotion to Durga, while Dandiya Raas is danced after it in a more playful spirit of celebration.
The beginning of spring and fall are important seasonal points in the wheel of the year in India, and are seen as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. During the nine nights of Navaratri (an autumnal festival) leading up to the full moon, communities all across Gujarat, as well as Gujarati communities worldwide, honor the Goddess Durga, the manifestation of the divine feminine in the form of Shakti, or energy/power. The Raas is not only an important part of Navaratri in Gujarat, but is also danced during other festivals related to harvest and crops.
Libana learned these songs and dances with the generous help of Veena Teli and Shuchita Rao in the Boston area, and the dance was choreographed by Linda Ugelow. Dancers are Linda Ugelow and Marytha Paffrath. Performed on hammered dulcimer, dholak, frame drum, cymbals, and vocals (Allison Coleman is soloing). Ravi Shankar Center: www.ravishankar...
For blog entries and photos from our India tour:
Stories from the Rajasthani Road journals.worldn...

[@shikhasri1172]

Jacqueline kisi Ko Nahi batana Tak tabla kisi Ko batana nahi aata ya paise Ki shopping ho gayi tabla hota Phalguni Ki tarah Phalguni jagati Hai Kitna badiya Karti ke gane ko kaise kara karo jab proper tarike se sare instruments ho to majak nahi karna chahiye Sangeet se Saraswati Ji hoti hain

[@RowleyBurn]

Hello, I enjoyed the dancing great! Can you suggest some songs that I could get from itunes that would be suitable for this type of dancing. I'm a teacher and want to teach it to my students. Thanks