Various Garba Forms with Step by Step Video Tutorials

Garba a word which reminds everyone of Gujarat and this has indeed become an eccentric and exciting dance form known worldwide. Garba is the dance form which people usually perform during nine days of Navratri in honor of divine power of various forms of goddess. It’s a one of its kind dance form which every Gujarati is very passionate about. Garba songs are so vibrant that even if a non-Gujarati listens to a Garba tune then he/she automatically starts to sway and tap the feet.

With the passage of time, garba has also derived so many fusions, modifications and variations. Apart from Garba, now people also perform Dodhiyu, Gauff, Hinch, Popatiyu, Paanchiyu, Dasiyu, Raas, Ek Taali ( Single clap), Bey Taali ( Two Claps), Tran Taali ( Three Claps) etc. Check out some of the famous forms below with the step by steps video tutorials:

Raas ( Dandiya)

Dandiya is one of the most popular dance form of Garba, where the men and women who are decked up in colorful attire dance in pairs with a pair of beautifully decorated sticks.  The sticks usually symbolize swords and in older days people used to dance with swords. They swirl and keep changing there positions and opposite partners while dancing in praise of their Goddess Amba.

Dodhiyu

Dodhiyu garba style is a form which includes total six steps. It is usually performed in small groups because the coordination among all the players is extremely important. The khelaiyaas perform some steps in the front and then return back with different steps. People keep on changing their styles depending on interests and no. of people involved.

Gauff

This dance form is a beautiful amalgamation of Garba and Dandiya. It’s performed in small batches and is an unusual format of winding and unwinding dupattas between each dancer.

Hinch

“Dholida Dhol Re Vagad Maare Hinch Levi Che” is a very famous song that you might have heard. Here is how you can do 8 step garba with hinch:

Ek Taali ( One Clap)

In this form the khelaiyaa (players) generally clap once in one complete set of steps. The tune associated with this is also unique which people usually get acquainted too and change their steps accordingly.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0cbnyRzRC0

Bey Taali ( Two Claps)

Here the danseuse clap twice in one single set, the footsteps here are also quite different from ek taali form. Generally the first clap is taken in your front and the second is done after taking a reverse swirl.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b83_Slv_mRs

Tran Taali ( Three Claps)

As the name suggests here the people clap three times in one complete step. The claps are usually done by gradually decreasing the height from your right shoulder towards your left leg. This is the most easiest of all the three dance forms and can be learnt very quickly.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnSOPxWyGyk

Apart from these are many region specific dance forms where people customize it as per their choice and common interests of all the people. Garba is all about dancing to the tunes as per your mood and learning new steps from your friends every time someone gets a new move to make it more graceful and enjoyable. Those nine nights are full of fun and dancing it out to your heart’s content.