TOWAMENCIN – A fast-paced and loudly colorful event, Garba took place last Friday in the North Penn High School gymnasium. Hosted by the Indian Cultural Association, the nine day festival brought together over 200 people for that night, from students and graduates to parents and teachers.

The celebration began with students – mainly the girls – dancing around a table in the center while the boys grouped against the wall. Although most of the girls already knew the dances, the steps were easily picked up by newcomers.

“If you do not know [the dances], by watching and trying you can pick it up, it’s usually a learning experience,” said ICA president, Ayushi Pola.

Once more students and adults joined in the dancing, the night took a new turn as electric Garba began. After a glow sticks sale at the door, the lights were turned off and the dancers began a new style called raas. This dance involves partners in long lines and a series of quick steps moving down the row. The entire gym was ringed with lines as participants clustered and put their own spin on the dance.

Pola is very optimistic about this new development: “Everyone was really enjoying themselves and then because the lights were turned off, it really gave Garba a new twist!”

The night concluded with a religious ceremony called Aarti, in which many people gathered around the center table and prayed to their God. By dancing around the table the majority of the night, the implication was that people were dancing around Him.

A very popular event full of high energy activities, Garba proved to be a success with the combination of a new electric aspect and the traditional ceremonies.