Pre-Navratri gigs keep Gujarati musicians busy

As monsoon covers the whole nation and Gujarati travelers wrap up their vacations, it is that time of the year for Gujarati musicians when they prepare for pre and post Navratri gigs abroad to help NRGs sway to garba tunes and feel connected to their roots.

Though in

Gujarat

, the party plots and event grounds would reverberate with classics like Tara Vina Shyam, Mehendi Te Vavi, Pankhida and Sanedo from September 29 drenching all in Navratri fun and festivities,

Gujarati singers

are busy working on new Navratri singles, finalising their schedule for pre-Navratri celebration and concerts abroad and planning outfits that will help add more vibrancy to the events beginning July end.

This year, Hong Kong, China and New Zealand have emerged as new potential venues and organisers have already started to get in touch with desi singers well in advance to avoid any last minute visa issues.

Singer Bhoomi Trivedi who will be a part of pre-Navratri gig for the first time this year says, “All these years, I have been working on different projects. But, there is a different kind of excitement for pre-Navratri events abroad this time and that is why I chose Perth in Australia for one such event.”

Tight itineraries for the love of garba

With the Indian diaspora and NRGs waiting eagerly for traditional pre-Navratri events with a garvi Gujarat spirit in their hearts mostly in USA, Australia and UK, such events helmed by Gujarati folk and contemporary singers help them feel more connected to their homeland. And it is one of the reasons, performers from Mumbai and Gujarat are much in demand for such performances also helping them get fat pay cheques.

While contemporary Bollywood songs and garba have become quite popular among the youngsters in India, the audience abroad likes to listen to original devotional folk songs during pre-Navratri events.

“Garba is all about grace and traditional music. Like last year, this year too I would restrict myself to traditional garba instead of Bollywood songs,” says singer Parth Oza who is working on coming up with a new single that keeps the traditional music intact. “Except singing original singles, I will also be revealing the look for this Navratri soon,” he says.

Who is headed where?

While Jigardan Gadhavi and Dimple Biscuitwala will make NRGs sway to traditional hit Gujarati raas-garbanumbers in Australia and Canada respectively, Aishwarya Majmudar is busy working on new Navratri songs with a modern touch.

“For Gujaratis, Navratri is the biggest festival and I feel proud and special to represent our culture and tradition abroad during such concerts. Navratri pre-events evoke a different kind of excitement and I can’t wait for these to begin,” says the singer who would begin her Australia tour on August 21 and would be back in India after performing in New Zealand in September.

Similarly singer Bhumik Shah would be travelling to China ahead of Navratri. “Like every year, we will be coming up with more originals this Navratri to help revelers get in the festive mood. As the audience abroad loves traditional and folk music, I am working on new dakla and hope garba lovers will like it,” he says.

Seems Gujarati singers are all set to pep up the pre-Navratri events abroad!