Dr. Dinesh
Garba fever has gripped Sri Vijaya Puram, with people of different ages coming together to dance, exercise and enjoy the infectious rhythm of traditional Gujarati folk dance. The workshop has brought together a fascinating mix, from children below six to adults, cutting across age and profession.
As the music begins, age and profession take a back seat. Even amateur dancers who initially struggle with the steps make every effort to match the rhythm and coordinate their movements. What starts as an unfamiliar sequence soon becomes an enjoyable challenge, with confidence growing with every session.
Participants are introduced to different Garba movements, including Be Taali, with two claps; Tran Taali, involving three rhythmic claps; and Dodhiyu, a two-step movement with coordinated turns. Each demands rhythm, balance, coordination and concentration.
Within minutes, participants begin sweating profusely, leaving with the feeling that they have completed a meaningful cardio workout rather than merely another routine walk. They are particularly happy that Garba provides an enjoyable form of physical activity beyond their otherwise mundane walking routine.
The sessions are conducted by Dinesh Rathod, Founder / Artistic Director at The DanceXtreme of Pune/Nashik, a trained dancer with expertise in contemporary dance and a diploma in Street Jazz. He is a two-time national-level gold medallist in Indian folk dances in the SNDT event competition. Rathod runs dance academies in Nashik and Pune and has been visiting Sri Vijaya Puram once a year for several years to conduct workshops.
His tremendous energy and infectious enthusiasm have made him a favourite among participants.
Discipline is central to the sessions. Time, rhythm and music must work in perfect coordination. Missing a beat or step can mean losing the sequence. Concentration, timing and synchronisation are therefore as important as physical movement.
Garba is much more than dance. It requires simultaneous coordination of the legs, body and mind, almost as if “the brain is in the legs.”
By the end of each session, participants often leave refreshed and energised. For them, Garba has become exercise without boredom, fitness without monotony and fun without limits, bringing people together to sweat, smile and celebrate movement.