SAPNA MONANI Navratri Raas Garba Dandiya QUEEN from Rajkot Gujarat India

Gujarat is famous for the festivals or sometimes it called a Land of Festivals. Among the several festival celebrations, one the most famed festival is called ‘Navratri’, and is celebrates for a 9 nights by playing raas garba thanksgiving for fertility and prosperity to the Goddess Ambe as Durga.

Gujarati Garba is famous worldwide for its unique dressing style and different garba steps, people played during Navratri nights among all mega cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda and Rajkot… Rajkot, a city situated in Saurashtra region makes its special identity in popular Garba Celebration.  The most well-known and successful Garba Group in the Rajkot city is Akila Pioneer Navratri Group, who organize Navratri Mahotsav from last 34 years.

In the picture, you can see the Pioneer Queen (Winner in Garba Competition) named Sapna Monani. She makes her position as a winner in the Akila Pioneer Garba Group from last many years. She is a Rajkotian kuddi and also plays Raas Garba in “One Day Navratri Event” which is mostly organizes in Rajkot prior to Main 9 Days Event, also known as “Welcome Navratri”.

Sapna Monani is a well-known personality in Rajkot for her unique Garba playing style during Navratri Mahotsav. There are different types of Raas Garba including Tali, clap Raas, Manjira musical instrument raas, diva clay lamp raas, Tippni special stick raas, Talwar raas, beda raas, Mer Dance, Gopi Dance, thaliplate raas, etc…

A pioneer Queen, Sapna Monani execute different styles of Garba Dance during navratri festival nights such as Six step reverse garba style, multi dance styles, 12 step garba Dandiya raas style, 12 step garba Dandiya raas style, Chokdi, Titodo, Dodhiya, Three claps, Two claps very beautifully and gracefully. She also looks gorgeous in the western look with short open hair.  Sapna Monani seems to be fond of tracking and roaming around the world.

People usually dance in circles with their partners as we can see in the picture. Sapna Monani always has seen in the traditional vibrant color costume during Garba.  She always comes to navratri with attractive designer bright colored Ghagra Choli, traditional jewellery and makeup. 

Image Courtesy - Ms.Sapna Monani