VOICE hosts 9th annual garba
Anupma Sahay
Issue date: 10/22/10 Section: News
Variety of Indian Cultural Expressions hosted its 9th annual garba along with Drexel Pragathi, the Indian graduate student organization, and the Drexel Indian Student Association Oct. 15 at Behrakis Grand Hall in Creese.
A garba is a form of Indian dance, composed of coordinated steps where participants dance around in a circle, sometimes with partners.
The annual garba was in celebration of Navratri, the 10 days leading up to Hindu holiday Dussehra, which was Oct. 17 and signifies the death of Ravana, the demon who kidnapped Lord Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to Lanka.
The Drexel VOICE garba followed two other garbas - Raas for a Cure hosted by Delta Epsilon Psi fraternity and Garba Gone Greek hosted by Sigma Beta Rho fraternity and Delta Phi Omega sorority. However, the VOICE garba, as Drexel University's official garba, attracted college students from all around Philadelphia, welcoming students from the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
The event began with aarti, where students prayed to Ganesha, Mataji, and other deities with offerings and praises. Following aarti, the dancing began, with students participating in raas and dandiya. Mango juice and water were served as refreshments.
The difference this year from past years was that the Hindu Student Association hosted aarti, whereas before, no specific person or group led prayer. Also, unlike in past years, this year's garba took place at Behrakis Grand Hall in Creese. Last year the event was held in the lobby of the Main Building.
"It was a smaller turnout this year, so it had a more family feel to it," VOICE president and junior business administration major Ashish Joseph said. "This was the third garba of the year and also there are other garbas in Philadelphia, so that probably explains the lower turnout."
According to Joseph, the VOICE garba, as it was not affiliated with any of the South Asian fraternities at Drexel, was more inclusive and inviting to students all around Philadelphia.
"I think it was a great success; a lot of people had fun," Joseph said. "Hopefully next year more people come out and we can involve more schools around Philadelphia."
For next year, VOICE looks to expand its annual garba, involving the other major Philadelphia universities to host a larger inter-collegiate Philadelphia garba. The garba would be hosted by Drexel University, Joseph said, and VOICE is just waiting on University approval to move forward with the plans.
Admission money to the VOICE garba will be totaled with admission money from VOICE's other upcoming events to be donated to the foundation One Voice, which aids youth in India. Drexel VOICE's next event is a Diwali dinner Nov. 18.
A garba is a form of Indian dance, composed of coordinated steps where participants dance around in a circle, sometimes with partners.
The annual garba was in celebration of Navratri, the 10 days leading up to Hindu holiday Dussehra, which was Oct. 17 and signifies the death of Ravana, the demon who kidnapped Lord Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to Lanka.
The Drexel VOICE garba followed two other garbas - Raas for a Cure hosted by Delta Epsilon Psi fraternity and Garba Gone Greek hosted by Sigma Beta Rho fraternity and Delta Phi Omega sorority. However, the VOICE garba, as Drexel University's official garba, attracted college students from all around Philadelphia, welcoming students from the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
The event began with aarti, where students prayed to Ganesha, Mataji, and other deities with offerings and praises. Following aarti, the dancing began, with students participating in raas and dandiya. Mango juice and water were served as refreshments.
The difference this year from past years was that the Hindu Student Association hosted aarti, whereas before, no specific person or group led prayer. Also, unlike in past years, this year's garba took place at Behrakis Grand Hall in Creese. Last year the event was held in the lobby of the Main Building.
"It was a smaller turnout this year, so it had a more family feel to it," VOICE president and junior business administration major Ashish Joseph said. "This was the third garba of the year and also there are other garbas in Philadelphia, so that probably explains the lower turnout."
According to Joseph, the VOICE garba, as it was not affiliated with any of the South Asian fraternities at Drexel, was more inclusive and inviting to students all around Philadelphia.
"I think it was a great success; a lot of people had fun," Joseph said. "Hopefully next year more people come out and we can involve more schools around Philadelphia."
For next year, VOICE looks to expand its annual garba, involving the other major Philadelphia universities to host a larger inter-collegiate Philadelphia garba. The garba would be hosted by Drexel University, Joseph said, and VOICE is just waiting on University approval to move forward with the plans.
Admission money to the VOICE garba will be totaled with admission money from VOICE's other upcoming events to be donated to the foundation One Voice, which aids youth in India. Drexel VOICE's next event is a Diwali dinner Nov. 18.
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