Surat students wear PPE costumes for garba event

Garba remains incomplete without dance, a group of fashion designing students from Surat Gujarat designed Garba outfits made of PPE kits for Navratri amid the pandemic. Students played garba in a special costume made from PPE kits (PPE).

Students of Institute of Design and Technology (IDT), Surat have created customised 'Covid Garba Dress'. The costumes are made of polypropylene fabric approved by the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA).

Students found this unique way to dance Garba even in the covid-19 pandemic, which can be admired by everyone. 

#WATCH Gujarat: A group of students of fashion designing in Surat perform 'Garba' sporting hand-painted costumes made of PPE kits. These costumes have been designed by them. (15.10) pic.twitter.com/sKSYk7e3iy

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2020

SOPs announced government?

Due to covid-19, the Government of Gujarat has not allowed garba programs and ceremonies during Navratri this year. Officials said, "The state government has issued guidelines related to covid-19 for Navratri. In Gujarat, there are usually big events on Navratri, which can spread COVID-19 infection in the state."

The guidelines also mandate that maximum 200 people can gather for the event which can extend maximum for one hour with total adherence to the SOPs.

Cultural, religious or entertainment events will be allowed outside containment zones under certain conditions including space marking with six feet distance, use of masks through out the events, use of thermal scanner and sanitiser, hand wash and total prohibition on spitting and consuming Gutka and Paan Masala, with fifty percent capacity of the area and a maximum presence of 200 people. However people above 65 years of age, pregnant women and children have been advised to stay away from such events.

What is GARBA?

Garba is a dance that honors, worships, and celebrates the feminine form of divinity. The word "garba" comes from the Sanskrit word garbha, meaning "womb."

Garba is a form of dance which originates from the state of Gujarat. Many traditional garbas are performed around centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti. Traditionally, it is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navaratri.

Religious significance of the Garba?

Navratri, literally meaning "nine nights," is the Hindu festival dedicated to Durga—the feminine form of divinity and her nine forms, from the fierce sword-wielding Kaalratri to the smiling creator of the universe Kushmanda. This festival is observed in many ways, each unique to the region of India in which it is celebrated.

The festival involves worshipping a lamp placed in painted and perforated earthen pots, which is symbolic of the power of the Mother Goddess and denotes her ‘garbha’ or ‘womb’ that brings in a new life.