The importance of a good chaniya choli or koti and kediya cannot be overlooked when preparing for garba and dandiya. This Navratri, dance troupes integrated their own unique style in their costumes.
Kaushal Nishar is a 24-year-old interior designer from Kalina who has got a Gautam Buddha-themed koti and kurta which will be worn by the men in his troupes, whereas the girls will have it stitched on their chaniya choli. "We have been dancing as a group for more than six years. We decide beforehand what we will wear on all nine days. This time we have a Buddha theme. Last year we had worn neon colours. Sometimes we buy from Ahmedabad, but this year we got our costumes stitched in Mumbai," said Nishar, whose group of 30 dancers will perform at the Goregaon Sports Club.
Ketan Shah, owner of a garment shop in Ghatkopar that made the outfits for Nishar's troupe, said traditional embroidery is still popular among men. "We have made more village embroidery-based clothes than others. Big designs like the Buddha are trending too. There is more demand for patialas and flashy prints and fabrics," he said.
Women take more initiative when it comes to looking different every year and also making a mark with their dance. This year, comfort and elegance rules the popularity meter. Saloni Shah, an 18-year-old college student said she was going for convenience and tradition this year. "The trend last year was neon but it has faded now. This year my outfit is based more around Abla laces, traditional Gujarati mirror and stone work, which is very simple and light. Navratri isn't just about looking good but its also about dance," said Shah, who teaches a batch of 75 people garba and dandiya before Navratri.
Kandivli resident Chirag Vithalani takes a lot of care when it comes to clothing and dance. "Last year, all of us had bought traditional Bharwadi Kediya and Pachedi from Navsari in Gujarat. We had 9 different colours on the same type of dress and it cost us more than Rs 6000 each. There is a transcendental feel to dancing in traditional clothes. You feel divine and the charm is something else," said 22-year-old Vithalani, who has received many awards for his dance.
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