The Rhythm of The Night
- 26 Sep 2014
- Features
We join the throngs forthe Garba and get a flavor of Gujarat in Mattancherry.
Chetan Shah is excited. It is Navratri time again and he isbusy with the celebrations of the Gujarati Mahajan. “Everyone is welcome†saysChetan as he turns around to greet the crowd that keeps walking into theSamoothri Matha Temple. The 4500 odd community holds celebrations in threeparts of Mattancherry that goes on till the wee hours of the morning. We canhear the ‘dholi’ beat a steady rhythm and the music soars over the crowd. Womenin dazzling ‘chaniya-cholis’ and sarees draped in the Gujarati style walk ingroups. Some have ‘mullappoo’ in their hair in the southern style. Little girs run around with the mirror workon their skirts reflecting light on the walls of the temple as kurti clad menherd them in. The festive atmosphere is infectious as we join the ‘Garba’circle that is moving around the central offering to the Shakti Devi.
Navratri is a time of celebration dedicated to the goddessDurga. The nine forms of the ‘devi’ are worshipped during these days. Garba isthe form of dance that is done in circles (symbol of Hindu view of time) arounda central lamp or picture of the goddess. The crowd seems born to do the Garba.We have trouble keeping up with the steps but finally we fall into some senseof a rhythm. Two steps forward, two steps back, turn around, then twosteps….guess it’s better left to the experts. Most of them remember how grandthe festival is in Gujarat but they are quick to say that it is as impressivehere. There is a color theme for each day. Thursday-yellow, Friday-multicolor,Saturday- blue black, Sunday – pink etc. The dholi was brought from Gujaratespecially for the occasion. The music changes from trendy tunes to thetraditional beat of only percussion. The crowd keeps moving and you can feelthe tempo own you.
We step out from the thronging crowd into the streets towalk into an ongoing procession. Women hold ‘thalis’ with flowers and men beaton huge drums to bring the idol of the ‘Devi’. Gujarati street in Mattancherryis going all out to bring in the festivities. This is what makes Kochi soexciting, a melting pot of cultures where each flavor is as vibrant as theother.
