Prasad Indulkar  


Garba Dance in Navratri by Prasad Indulkar

October 2024 - Garba Dance in Navratri

About the Image(s)

Navratri is a nine-night festival celebrated in India and other parts of the world to honor the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Durga. It is a time for spiritual devotion, celebration, and cultural expression.

Why do women dress up and dance during Navratri?

Religious Significance: The nine nights of Navratri represent the nine forms of Goddess Durga, each associated with different virtues and powers. Dressing up and dancing are seen as ways to honor and worship the goddess.
Cultural Expression: Navratri is a vibrant celebration of Indian culture, and dancing and dressing up are important aspects of the festivities. It's a time for women to express their creativity, beauty, and joy.
Social Bonding: Navratri gatherings provide an opportunity for people to connect with friends and family, strengthening social bonds and fostering a sense of community.
Physical and Mental Benefits: Dancing is a great form of exercise and can be beneficial for both physical and mental health. It's a way to release stress, have fun, and stay active.
The traditional attire for Navratri is known as "Ghagra Choli," which consists of a long skirt and a fitted blouse. Women often accessorize with jewelry, bangles, and other traditional ornaments. The vibrant colors and intricate designs of the clothing add to the festive atmosphere.

Garba and Dandiya are popular folk dances performed during Navratri. Garba is a circular dance where participants hold hands and move in a rhythmic pattern. Dandiya is a stick dance where participants use two decorated sticks to create rhythmic beats. Both dances are energetic and fun, and they encourage social interaction and teamwork.

Overall, Navratri is a joyous and colorful festival that celebrates the divine feminine, culture, and community. Dressing up and dancing are integral parts of the celebrations, allowing women to express their creativity, connect with others, and honor the goddess.

I clicked this picture last evening in my building complex where I stay. We are celebrating this 9 day festival, I have recently purchased Sony A-6700 with 18-50mm lens, main purpose of this camera is to shoot Vlogs and reel videos. I wanted to test this for picture quality ( vs my A7Riii Full frame Camera). I used Godox AD200 flash with a diffuser to click this image. EXIF is Shutter Speed 1/160, f/2.2, ISO ISO 400, at 24mm Focal Length.

I am happy with the quality of the image, I have processed this image very minimum, only the highlights and exposure minor tweaks. Nothing more.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
3 comments posted




Kathleen Colligan
Oh My! I love this photo! The colors, the balance, and the way the dancers are in focus while still showing the background people and the lines of light make it perfect. Thanks for sharing all this interesting info about the Hindu culture. I have never used a diffuser or an external flash and can see why you are happy with the quality of the image.   Posted: 10/07/2024 17:01:26



Jerry Taylor   Jerry Taylor
Nice image. I would clone out the center bright light; it is distracting. However, I believe your goal is to keep your photos accurate for specific contests.   Posted: 10/09/2024 14:10:27



Laurie McShane
A stunning shot, and I love the expressions on the faces of the dancers. I so appreciate you sharing your interesting culture with us!   Posted: 10/10/2024 13:23:37