By Khalida Sarwari
It won’t be basketballs and volleyballs bouncing off the walls of West Valley College’s large gym, but the rhythmic sounds of sticks slapping against each other amid the reverberations of Indian folk music at the Saratoga Dandia on Sept. 27.
The sixth annual program offers an evening of cultural music and food, according to Seema Kumar, head of the Saratoga Dandia organizing committee.
Backed by a band, singers Madhvi and Asim Mehta will perform traditional music, switching between tunes for dandia and garba, another type of dance that consists of various hand and foot movements.
Kumar encouraged participants to dress up in Indian outfits, which traditionally consists of long Indian skirts, a blouse and long scarf for women and a long, loose shirt paired with loose-fitting pants called “kurta” for men.
Chaat Bhavan will provide food and refreshments for purchase. The menu consists of Indian vegetarian fare and non-alcoholic drinks.
More than 1,000 people attended Dandia last year and organizers raised nearly $29,000 in proceeds, according to Kumar. The proceeds went toward the construction of the planned Saratoga Spiritual and Community Center. The goal is to move the temple to a home of its own within the next five to 10 years.
This year’s fundraising goal is about the same, Kumar said. The funds will be used to support various programs at the Saratoga Community Center, including yoga, meditation, Bollywood fitness, and Hindi and Sanskrit language classes. The classes are free and offered every Sunday between 4-7 p.m.
The event is open to everyone, and all attendees are encouraged to participate in the festivities. Whether dressed to the nines or just in jeans and a T-shirt, “anybody who enters through the door can dance,” Kumar said.
Those who don’t know how to dance have some time to learn. Organizers are offering free dandia and garba training on Sept. 7, 14 and 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the community center. The classes are open to everyone, even those who don’t plan on attending the event.
Dandia will be held Sept. 27 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $15 through Sept. 7 and then $18 after. They will be sold for $20 at the door. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Children under 5 get in free.
To purchase tickets, visit saratogadandia.org. For more information, contact Kumar at 408.634.0295.
Link: Sixth annual Saratoga Dandia to offer evening of music, food
