Mumbai: Navratri is over, but garba isn’t

Although Navratri is over, garba celebrations seem to have not finished yet. As authorities had banned garba during Navratri, organisers are now conducting events post the festival. Garba events, offering food and dance, have been organised on October 20 and 23 in Navi Mumbai and Thane. mid-day had reported about secret garba events planned in Mumbai and Thane despite the rules in its October 11 edition.

Mumbai and Thane's police had raided garba events; a few days ago, the Santacruz police arrested two organisers and a hall-owner for arranging a dandiya night at SNDT College. A few days ago, Bangur Nagar police had raised Rajora Banquet Hall at Mind Space and Worli police had raided Atria Mall just as garba events were to start. With events being held post-Navratri, dealing with them will be a challenge for police and civic officials as there are no guidelines. Posing as a prospective customer, mid-day spoke to the organisers of two garba events on phone.

RJ Navratri Night's 2021, BK Satra Banquet Hall, Airoli

On October 20, a garba celebration under the title RJ Navratri Night's 2021 has been arranged at BK Satra Banquet hall, Sector 19, Airoli. The organiser has allegedly invited more than 350 people. The garba will be followed by dinner at the venue itself. The whole event has been scheduled for 6 pm to 10 pm, at a cost of R550 per person. One of the contact persons mentioned on a flier for the event told mid-day that during Navratri there were no permissions, but there is no ban on arranging garba now. This event has been organised by Raj Bhuva and Jenil Nandu.

mid-day's conversation with Hasti Bhuva:

mid-day: I need five passes for October 20.
Bhuva: Yes sir, you will get it and the price has increased now, it's Rs 550 for a single pass.

mid-day: How can I pay for it?
Bhuva: Send the money via Google Pay using my number.

mid-day: How will I get the pass?
Bhuva: You have to collect it from a specific address.

mid-day: Have you received permissions because arranging garba is not allowed right now.
Bhuva: There were some difficulties during Navratri, but there is no issue now that the festival is over.

Navrang Rasiya 2021, Kanti Visariya Hall, Thane

This event has been organised by Sachin Boricha, Dipti Vora, and Dhaval Thakkar. Earlier, the passes cost R350, but now the price has increased to R500. Well-known singers, Naitik Nagda and Teena Cheda, are expected to perform at the event on October 23. Nagda is expected to perform at the event with his band Rock On Beats.

mid-day's conversation with organiser Vora:

mid-day: I need a pass for the garba event.
Vora: Yes, it will cost Rs 500 without food. The event is on October 23.

mid-day: How do I pay?
Vora: Pay online and collect the pass from the address which I'll share.

mid-day: What is the venue?
Vora: It's at Jalsa Hall, Ghodbunder Road, Thane.

mid-day: Why have the entry charges increased?
Vora: We have invited famous singer Naitik Nagda, who is as big as Falguni Pathak. He is the king of garba among Gujaratis. Hence the cost of the pass has increased.

mid-day: Will there be a problem of police coming?
Vora: Navratri is over and the guidelines lasted only till the festival did. Come freely.