Here Come The Hautesteppers......Ae Haalo

In Gujarat, it is one thing to celebrate Navratri for its religious purpose and completely another to live it up for its sheer glam quotient .These nine and a half nights bring along with them the haute stepping sultans of swing, out in full splendour with bare feet, barer backs. Backless cholis make sexy humjolis(companions)and Gujarati women hold their place in history for having invented the same. In his book’ Indian Dress: A Brief History’, author Charles Louis Fabri has noted how, ‘The first recorded examples of the choli, the bodice or blouse, are found, in the pre-Mughal miniature paintings of Gujarat, mostly Jain religious manuscript illuminations.’ Present fashion’s gravity defying tactful tailor technology not only manages to gracefully hold the shoulder boulder in place but also save face in stringy situations, even as the booty is held together by a mere fancy broach or semi precious stone. “Bollywood has a marked impression on Surat’s revelers this year. I have designed Kareena cholis with Bodygaurd movie colour themes, as well as Singham ghaghras. Surtis are swearing by locally made laces on brocade, jacquard crepes for ghaghras teamed with sheer chiffon or georgette dupattas .The look is heavy but light in weight .Only participants of competitions are sticking to traditional patch worked gear.” says Sangeeta Choksi, who designs for Surat’s suburbians.

The Jolie art behind the cholis too has undergone a new avatar. Younger girls are opting for tattoos on small of their backs and their waists, a la Deepika from Dum Maro Dum, shown off at the spot where the odhani is tucked in. Ahmedabad’s popular tattoo artist Jagruti Parmar points out that,” Youngsters want their tattoos to look permanent and so, this year, stickers and paint are passé. The in thing is translucent nail varnish and a transparent top up coat ensures that its sweat proof too. It’s easy to apply and quick to change. Girls have patterns like a base butterfly /dragonfly etched out in black ink and they come in to change the design and colour of their wings everyday, to match their outfit.” The boys meanwhile are getting temporarily inked on neck napes and behind ear lobes, to show off body art. Magnetic diamante ear studs for boys as well as push button navel studs and rings for girls are sparkling this season, and have replaced body piercing. Florescent coloured braids are making way within hairdos to match up to the magnetism of garba gear. Unlike Vadodara’s strictly traditional garba ramzhat, jhankaar beats are set to jazz up Mallika Sherawat’s ‘Jalebi Bai’ number at commercial venues within the state. Rajkot’s Racecourse grounds are offering pure Prachin and Arvachin Garbas sung out in the praise of the nine goddesses of Navratri.” The locals have demanded pure folk songs this year. Also making a big come back are Titodas, and remix Dhunki Daklas like ‘Ae Ma khamma khamma maadi’.Daklas are played to the beat of talking drums - an instrument known as Daklu.” Says singer Utpal Jivrajani. The only modern theme here is sneakers, as twirling troupes have matched chaniya cholis and kediyu dhotis with sports shoes for better stepping comfort. It’s the season of dancing, prancing and romancing and Gujaratis are putting their finest step forward.

DREAM DATING DURING DANDIYA.............
Statistics show that in Gujarat, more people become a couple during Navratri than they do through any matrimonial institution, column or website. Everyone seems to be looking for someone during dandiyas, never mind if they already have someone by their side. Soul searching Surtis seem to be seeking the date of their dreams, their desires camouflaged by the colourful view.
Here is a sneak peek from last night, at Pandit Dindayal Indoor Stadium, where wishful matchmaking was on, in full swing, within and without the swirling circles-
Arty, kohl lined eyed boho chic; a Shanivari bazaar binger, looking for Kurta clad, college G.S.material types. Preferably with a stubble and knowledge of strumming the guitar to the tunes of Jimi Hendrix.
Rich lecherous Pandesara businessman, in printed polyester shirt that miserably failed to cover beer belly seeking a no strings attached [relationship, not blouse, silly!], pretty young thing; age no bar caste no bar, to help him get back ‘baugo mein bahaar hain ‘days, baar baar.
An elegant, strong minded, lonely divorced diva, Isckon mall shopaholic with great taste; loves men in uniform, err....barring the security agencies, of course. Searching for a well heeled boy who knows when and how to heel.
Old fashioned Surti Sheri garba lover; with vocabulary that could put the Aussies to shame and a degree in nose wax moulding, longing to get the number of English speaking modern girl, who can carry western outfits with as much as ease as she can make Gobi Manchurian.
Attractive, nimble footed, prize winner material, pretty gal. Well versed in Indian culture, sharp tongued, hoping to meet some rich, foolish, and good looking heir, with independent residence at Piplod area or a Dumas farmhouse.
Cute, Convent educated cheerleader type with pierced nose, crazy about fancy mobiles and fast bikes looking out for handsome gadget geek with accurate knowledge of PSP and Game boy, sporting long hair and lean looks. Sportsmen would be given extra preference.
Pasta fed, Burger king boy .With a passion for pets and daddy's fast cars flirting with the mousy looking ,freckle faced, intellectual girl with small waist, short hair and a penchant for ‘kaki ni pao bhaji and Binayak sandwiches’.
Cheeky grin dimpled cheeked, naughty eyed child woman, dreaming of finding a sensitive, well read gentleman. Should be able to quote Urdu poetry and appreciate the rains anytime of the year. Extra points if he has the finesse of Mr. Big, of Sex and the city fame.
Nattily dressed middle aged N.R.I, once married, now shy, man of few words but intense intentions, soon to launch new export label, shamelessly staring at voluptuous social butterfly.
Long haired Indian beauty, dressed in ethnic elegance. Bare back, barer arms, homemaker and yummy mummy, hoping the stud in tight tee and spiked hair will give her a second look on his way back from the coffee counter.
And just like that, within the suburban social circle, everyone who is someone in Tapi town was looking out for ‘the one’.
Tapi town tattle –Twitter jitter.