SWINE CAUTIOUS, YES, BUT BEE PROOF?
The carnival of nine nights this year promises to be more culture rich and colourful than ever before. With International delegates participating, our Sultans of swing are extremely excited to sway.Gujarati garba will be going global in a graceful new way.
In mythology, the credit for promoting garba goes to Usha, the great granddaughter –in –law of Krishna. Vedas state that earlier known as ‘Lasya Nritya’, the word Garba comes from ‘garbhdeep’, lamp within earthen pot. In the olden days, Gujaratis would gather at temples of Ma Jagdamba and perform traditional garbas around perforated matlis within which silver coins, betel leaves and a little water would add to the glory of the pious lamp ,’Pawan sapata khai toey Maa no garbo ghumto jaay.’The idea was to protect the lamp within, come what may.
Prachin garbas were sung in praise of the Goddesses’ often inviting them to come play with mortals,’Amba aavo to ramiye, Maa maney ramta nahi avde’ at times devotional, at times playful, they built a friendly rapport between devis and devotees. Arvachin ones had fun filled, flirty lyrics like,’Odhani odhu toh udi udi jaay.’
As generations progressed, a dramatic change has developed in the way this tradition is carried on as well as the social messages that lie hidden in its songs.
Early eighties rang with Babla’s disco dandiya ‘tinak dhin na’jhankaar beats, we now do dodhiyu on ‘Dhan ten nen!’.
The late Maniraj Barot of ‘Sanedo sanedo humjo lal sanedo’, created history when he penned and performed the popular number that causes footwork frenzy amongst revellers; now, modern day poet Dr.Mukul Choksi has penned ‘shiyaley shardi bhali, unaley mardo, chomasey malaria bhalo, pun swine flu baarey maasey, lal lal sanedo.’
Queen of garba pop, Falguni Pathak’s masti filled music’ Chudi Jo khanki haatho mein ‘scores with the youngsters because it talks about love in the days of dandiya.
Navratri nowadays, is a different ball game altogether. This year, while hip hop and bhangra steps have been added to basic traditional steps, a fusion of foreign steps with techno trance can well be expected, the Macarena with its jiggy wiggy is going to mingle with the, ‘put your right hand in, put your right hand out and shake it all about’ routine.
Celebrating the carnival gets more challenging for youngsters with each passing year. These days of legal dating are now tracked via spy phones, terrorised by thoughts of swine flu and tormented by temptation of falling prey to the ‘HIV bhawran ‘that their idol Shahid warns about. With pills offering instant remedies to ‘pyar ke side effects’, promoting better to play safe than sorry, it’s easy to snuff out life in the womb within 72 hours but whats the point if HIV could knock one out within the next 72 months?
With minister for women’s welfare Anandiben Patel having stated the fact that the number of abortions rise a couple of months after Navratri and statistics proving just how fast contraceptives fly off the counters during these days, about time, we talked to our young guns about birds and bees and STDs, instead of shying away from clear and present danger.

FLU INFLUENCED MASK APPEAL.....
All the characters in the following article are real and bear every resemblance to who you think they are.

Last weekend, I was invited to a strange gathering. The self appointed, down the road dress designers of Tapi town had held an urgent meeting. The P.S. read,’ since you never pay us any attention, make sure you attend because this is a very serious social matter. ‘

As Swine flu had made sure I drop my travel plans, I had nothing better to do. Letting curiosity get the better of me, I braved the fashion meet.

Three of Surat’s popular tailors Ms.Metoo Kumar, Ms.Neata Khulla and Mr.Fahid Kapoor, had got together to make the Surtis aware of the dangers of swine flu. The purpose of the meet was to promote ‘designer masks’ and thus encourage the junta to take precautions against the same. Here are their presentations-

Ms.Metoo Kumar-Ladies and gentlemen, putting aside all my important orders and assignments, I have decided to contribute my precious time towards making designer masks for our fashion conscious crowd. Keeping in my mind the upcoming Navratri season, here is my line of masks-I have used bandhni, cowries, mirror spangles and bead work to enhance its look. I shall be using the cloth cut out from backless cholis to make the masks and thus recycle, with less wastage. You may mix and match your outfits for all nine days or opt for a single multi coloured one. Group orders are welcome.

Ms.Neata Khulla-Hello sweeties and the not so sweeties ha ha ha! As you all know, the N.R.I’s are always gaga over my designs. So, I have included leather, lace and Swarovskis to my signature styles. Talks are also on for fur and diamond studded custom made creations, for the exclusive, one of a kind type. A lot of Bollywood heroes and heroines are contacting me desperately but I want to serve the Surtis first. You may want to put sunglasses on before viewing my dazzling pieces.Whats more Rs.50 from each purchase will be donated to a good cause by my company, come help make the town better.

By then, the hall was buzzing with excitement.’ I saw models walking the ramp with swine flu masks in the news yesterday,’ said a pretty young thing,’ but they were just wearing boring white masks, nothing this fancy.’

Then, it was Fahid Kapoor’s turn, he looked grave as he said,’Friendf and refponfible citizenf of Furat.Thif if fo fhocking! We are not here to promote fafhion; we are here to promote awareneff.Af we all know, fwine flu if commonly fpread out in crowded placef, fo, the mafkf for the fame fhould alfo be common. I am going to fimply put an emblem depicting the mood of the perfon wearing it.Fmilef for people in authority, profanity for fhort tempered furtif etc.
Unfortunately, no one took him seriously, but I hear the former two got bulk and corporate orders.
Tapi town tattle-America discovers Shah Rukh Khan.