Niles West finally brought back its annual Garba Night this year after the pandemic. In the past few years, Garba was held at other schools, however this year, West’s South Asian Student Association (SASA) hosted it along with the Niles North’s SASA. Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance done in large groups during the festival of Navratri. It consists of everyone creating a circle clapping and dancing in a synchronized manner to Gujarati music.

Aside from dancing to Garba, those at the event were taught another popular dance known as Dandiya Raas; a folk dance originating from Gujarat. This particular dance involves dandiya (sticks) and is a partner dance done in a large group assembly. Everyone has a partner and at a certain point the partner changes and the cycle repeats.

Senior Krishna Patel and his family took the lead in introducing the dances as they originate from Gujarat and celebrate Navratri.

“Garba is a Hindu cultural dance, which is usually performed during the festival of Navratri. Garba is usually always accompanied with Dandiya, another type of dance specifically with wooden sticks. Navratri is a time where Hindu families come together and celebrate each other. It’s important to me because it’s the one time of the year where my family from across the country comes together. It felt very special to have a Garba event at school because I felt my culture being recognized but I also felt nostalgic because it was the first time in years where we had one,” Patel said.

Many people who attended the event were not from Gujarat and were unfamiliar with the concept of Garba, but they still participated and enjoyed the event.

“This was my first SASA event aside from the BBQ and I have heard the events were always amazing, and they delivered. It was incredible, I was blown away by just how beautiful everyone looked in their traditional dress and the music was so fun,” Director of Student Activities Caitlin Lucci said.

Students were also able to experience the traditions of other cultures and learn something new which they might have never known about.

“Garba night was a new experience for me as I had never hear of it until my friends convinced me to go. Everyone was super welcoming and willing to teach. I was very happy to learn more about another culture and would 100% do it again and recommend others to see it for themselves,” senior Grace Zientarski said.

The event included refreshments for the guests including two types of desserts: biscoff mousse and ras malai tres leches cake, an Indian fusion dessert. Those at the event loved a sugar break to re-energize for some Garba.

While it can be overwhelming to try something new, everyone at the event was very inclusive and supportive of one another.

“I will admit it was nerve-wracking to have the courage to go and dance at first, being unfamiliar and not being someone who does that regularly, but it was so fun and everyone was so welcoming and so inclusive and supportive. It was incredible and everyone should show up next year,” Lucci said.

Towards the end of the event, there was free style dancing to Bollywood music. Many people created small groups and danced the night away with family and friends!