Dandia trends: OTT and loving it

The biggest fashion disaster at a garba is an ensemble that does not stand out in a crowd. So anything that marks you apart makes for a great navratri outfit: dazzling colours, mirrors, sequins, tassles, heavy embroidery, patch work, brocade, bells, pom-poms, the works.

Find all this and more at the bustling Vile Parle, Bhuleshwar and Natraj Market (Malad).

It is 11.30 in the morning and shops in Vile Parle are already bustling with activity. The traditional chania choli is ubiquitous but today youngsters prefer to combine comfort with style. Lighter cotton wrap-around skirts adorned with sequins and shells have replaced the heavy lehengas.

Coy, full-sleeved cholis and tops have been swapped for halter-necks and backless cholis. Nikesh Savla, owner of Paras collection, says the demand now is for contemporary clothes with a traditional touch. “What is hugely in demand this year is sequin work.”

Traditionally women wore a lot of chunky jewellery during navratri. Even if they are made using kundan and oxidized silver, kamarpatta (waist chain), anklets and the haath balaiya have all become more colorful and jazzy this year. “We source navratri jewellery from Gujarat and Jaipur. Pendants and earrings with mirror work and big colored stones are hot this season as they dazzle the eye at night,” says Jayantibhai Gada, owner of Toran. Also thanks to Ramola Sikand of the hugely popular Kahin Kissi Roz, ‘Ramola rings’ and ‘Ramola bindis’ are in huge demand.

Also new in the market are a variety of dandiya sticks with lights, embellished with paintings, and further accessorized with bells and ghungroos. Children have the option of picking simpler and lighter plastic dandiya sticks.

In an effort to stand out in a crowd, people choose to customise their outfits. Shikha Shah, an avid garba dancer, says she buys nine outfits well ahead of the festival and adds little frills that lend her clothes a distinct look. Savla points out that customers bring along their own patchwork and design elements like to make their clothes look unique.
“We have orders for all age groups from three months old to senior citizens. No one wants to wear something ordinary.”

The puja thalis, agarbatti stands, and garbo pots are now being smartly packaged but little else has changed about these traditional elements. Megaji Bhai is particular about the garbos that he sells. He has been making garbos in Dharavi for more than eight years, and says that this is one aspect of Navrati which remains staunchly traditional.                                    
 m_brinda@dnaindia.net
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