Navratri festivities are underway and so are the celebrations: A practical reader guide

Navratri festivities are underway and so are the celebrations: A practical reader guide

Navratri festivities are underway and so are the celebrations with dandiya nights taking the centre stage. Lucknowites are putting their best foot forward to celebrate the evenings of garba and dandiya. A host of events have been rolled out to make the festivities special this year.

Hindi daily Hindustan, in association with Fever FM and Hindustan Times, is organising a Dandiya Nights event at the Babu Banarasi Das Academy on October 17. A two-day JoyRatri festival is being held at The Centrum on October 18 and 19. Hotel Ramada, too, is organising a two-day Dandiya Night at its premises on October 17 and 18. The lush-green lawns of Lucknow Golf Club will witness a mega musical performance on October 19, informed its secretary Rajneesh Sethi.

Fever Voice of UP winner Rehan Ali and runner-up Shreya Sharma will perform at the event and will be joined by DJ Moksh. “After winning the talent hunt contest, I am looking forward to entertaining Lucknowites with my live performance. Dandiya nights are very special for a singer. On the same day, folk singer Malini Awasthi will curate an evening at the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy where she will be performing garba and folk songs along with her troupe. “We have live musical performances by reality show SaReGaMaPa -fame singer Dharna Pahwa, singer-composer Zulfi Ali Raj and folk singer Manoj Porwad. A Garba and Dandiya Raas event is being held at GD Goenka School which will witness DJ Tasha from Ukraine. A three-day Great Garba Festival is being held at UP Darshan Park which will witness performances by HRX, Perisha and Armero. Clubs in the state capital are also not far behind. Oudh Gymkhana Club is organising a music night for its members.

When your audience dances to your songs, it’s the best feeling,” says Noida-based singer Rehan, who was also a part of reality show Indian Idol earlier. We have live dhol, dandiya and garba sessions and cultural dance performances,” says the organiser. “We will be providing dandiya sticks to our guests and have a lot of prizes in store for them,” says organiser Sarvesh Goel.