Colourful Attires Attract Youngsters From Australia, USA

INDORE : When in Rome, do as the Romans do. A group of six Australian students at The Daly College seems to be doing exactly the same this Navratri season. Forgetting steps of bush dance, classical ballet and ballroom dancing for a while, these young have been getting their grooves on to beats of garba songs in Indore ever since the festival began. Soaked in festive fervour, Indoreans are enjoying teaching these foreigners one or two garba steps.And not just this bunch of Australians, students from others countries as well, who are here for studies could be seen struggling to match steps with their Indian friends at garba venues.
“India is a land of festivals and I am glad I am here during Navratri. We all went to a garba function where Indian friends took us to the middle of the ground. They taught us some steps and I tried my level best to copy the moves of all the girls dancing around us. It was sheer fun,” said 24-year-old Chayna from Australia. It is her first visit to India and she is here for a cultural exchange programme at Daly College along with other students.
For her classmate Jessica, 26, colourful dresses and jovial mood during the revelry are a big motivation for her to make another trip to India at this time of the year. “I knew jazz moves but learnt from pre-primary students some garba moves,” said Jessica.
“Atmosphere in Indore these days is amazing. Back home in Australia, we did not have extravagant and colorful costumes like these. I felt like an Indian prince wearing them. It is a very interesting festival and I have already learnt a few garba steps,” said Nethan, 24.
For Steve, Rebecca and Lisa, it was a big clap party in a circle.
“I have been trying to learn the intricate garba steps from my local friends. Idea of dancing for nine nights sounds completely fascinating,” said Rebecca, another teaching student from Australia, who too loved wearing the traditional and colourful garba attire.
“We have purchased many colourful kurtis and chania choli for garba. We may not use them in Australia but they will always adorn our cupboard as treasured possessions,” said Lisa. 13-year-old Messimr Acquaro has come to India for the second time from Australia, especially to learn learn garba. He plans to teach the unique dance form to his friends back in Australia. Some of the foreigner even attended garba classes to ensure they are not left behind while matching the steps of their Indian friends.
Hayley Koskela, 17 from United States of America (USA), who is taking Hindi lessons in Indore said, “I enjoyed a lot to tap foot on vibrant music and clash ‘dandiya sticks on traditional beats. Most of the times, I would get the beat wrong but it was an evening I am going to remember for my lifetime.”