A very melodious garbo, we are presenting today on the auspicious day of Navratri Aatham.




While Garbas are known to be one of the most enjoyable dance forms, with all kinds of music and orchestra, there is a unique tradition of 'Betha Garba' (Sitting Garba) among Nagar Brahmin community of Gujaratis. It does not have the pomp and grandeur of traditional Garba but it has its unique grace and pride, which is drawing even the young generation to it.
Traditional Garba consists of songs dedicated to Goddess Amba, music and dance, which have now replaced with Bollywood movie songs. On the contrary, in Betha Garba, members of the Nagar community gather at a pre-decided place, sing Garba songs dedicated to Goddess Amba with just a dholak or a 'Manjira'. "There is only one sentiment in this Garba, that is devotion to the Goddess. There are no folk Garba or filmy songs. Musical instruments include dholak and manjira. There is no orchestra.

Earlier Nagars used to bring idols of Goddess Ámba to their homes, like the way people bring Ganesh idols now. So members of the community would come to have a darshan of the Goddess and seek her blessings. "People would then light diya, perform puja, aarti and sing Garba. This was in rooms of houses. So there was no place to dance. So people sat and sung hymns. The tradition continues even now.