Pune's Exciting Garba Workshops Prepare for Navratri Festivities | - The Times of India

With Navratri around the corner, Pune is gearing up with the energy of garba workshops. From Baner to Shaniwar Peth, and Kothrud to Chinchwad, instructors are training enthusiasts eager to dance through the fest.CLUBBING DANCE, FUN AND FITNESS Radhika Rathod, choreographer at Vibrant Learning Spaces, Baner, starts conducting workshops a month before Navratri. The sessions are as much about fitness as dance. “People want to step out of routine, socialise, and enjoy the coordination. That makes garba more fun,” she says. For Rohini Garba Group, one of the oldest garba troupes in Pune, the focus is on traditional steps. “The steps we teach can be done on any song, whether it is Gujarati, Marathi, English or Bollywood,” shares a group member adding that the fees are also very pocketfriendly.AGE NO BAR FOR PARTICIPATIONAt Garba Junction, run by siblings Nakul and Megha, the focus is on presentation as much as steps. “Every year we conduct workshops in Pune, Jalna, Aurangabad and Latur,” says Megha, adding, “We get 30 to 100 participants on an average. Most are between 20 and 35 years, but there are no age restrictions. We use props, colour codes and choreograph to latest Bollywood tracks too.” Their playlists move between classics like Sanedo and Nagade Sang Dhol to favourites like Dholida , Jhoom Jhoom and Radhe Radhe . Rahul Sathe, founder of The Inspiration Dance School, prefers to keep sessions closer to the festival. “We start 10 to 12 days before Navratri so people can learn just in time for the festival. On average 40 to 60 people join each session,” he shares. Ajinkya Bansi of AJ Dance Company adds that the crowd can go up to 100 to 150 too.This season’s Garba playlist●Sanedo , the evergreen favourite● Shubharambh , Nagade Sang Dhol , Dholida – Bollywood picks● Jhoom Jhoom , Thumak Thumak , Radhe Radhe, the rehearsal favourites