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

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: http://www.ravishankar.org/centre.html

For blog entries and photos from our India tour:
Stories from the Rajasthani Road http://journals.worldnomads.com/libana/

LIBANA: global music, connecting cultures
To learn more, go to libana.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• libana
• global music
• connecting cultures
• india
• dandiya
• raas
• ravi shankar center
• stick dance
• mahishasura
• new delhi
• durga
• navaratri
• gujarat