I miss celebrating Navratri in Vadodara: Anshul Trivedi

While Anshul Trivedi has been busy shooting for different projects in the last few weeks, he says that he is glad that he got to celebrate Navratri for a couple of days in Mumbai. He tells us, “This time, I could play garba for a couple of days in Mumbai and it felt great. I visited the venues where Bhoomi Trivedi, Parthiv Gohil and Manasi Parekh were performing, and it was great fun.However, I missed celebrating Navratri in Vadodara. How can I not play garba? It’s in our blood! I have been a professional singer and there was a time when I used to perform during Navratri with music director Viju Shah (in Mumbai). The festival has played a significant role in my life and being a devi bhakt, it’s also a way of worship for me.” Excerpts from a chat:
‘I used to save money to buy garba passes’
I started playing garba regularly when I was in Class XI. We had limited pocket money, and I used to save money to buy garba passes. I would even try to convince my parents to allot more pocket money and say, “Aur kuch nahi kharidunga. Bas pass ke liye paise de do.” Once that was achieved, I would request more pocket money for buying new kurtas and petrol allowance! I could afford only two or three new kurtas and so, I would do a lot of mix and match. For instance, I would take mom’s chunriand tie it around my waist or head. For the last few years, my girlfriend (now wife) has been designing outfits for me. So, I have been wearing designer stuff ever since (laughs)!
‘Atul Purohit is my favourite garba singer’
Ever since I started acting, I have never been able to celebrate Navratri in a full-fledged manner as I am either shooting or travelling during the festival. But I try to play garba at least for a day or two. Last year, we celebrated Navratri in London, where I was shooting. Atul Purohit is my favourite garba singer and Aaj No Chandaliyo is my favourite garba track. When he sings it and all the lights at the venue are switched off, with revellers holding up their mobile flashlights, it feels like a sea of stars has descended on the ground. It’s just mesmerizing! I also love grooving to Mumbai Thi Gadi Avi Re, Tara Vina Shyam Mane and Ke Hove Hove.

I have done all kinds of jugaadsto celebrate Navratri in Vadodara. In 2005, since I had exams, I thought I would skip playing garba but then, I wanted to join my brother and friends at the last moment. Since the last date for getting the passes was over, I used the previous year’s playing pass that my brother had retained and even managed to enter the venue! In Vadodara, we follow the traditional approach in terms of rhythm, singing style and selection of songs. In Mumbai, it’s diametrically opposite and it feels more like a concert. People performing the same style of garba in sync, in large circles, is a divine experience. One truly experiences divinity during Navratri. After playing garba, we loved roaming around the city and having tea near the railway station after midnight.