It had begun on the afternoon of 25th September itself. The excited murmurs and plans being made as the stage was set up and the fairy lights were stringed overhead. The workshop was the talk on the tongues of those who passed the student plaza that afternoon.
In the evening, as people walked through the plaza, they couldn’t help but stare as members of Showstoppers, a student club all about dance, danced their hearts out, the rhythm of their steps leading the music, rather than the other way around. With their eye-catching outfits and glamorous moves, it’s no wonder people passing by were awestruck by the spectacle.
To the onlookers, the crowd was a mismatch, worlds apart. One could find people flaunting their best ethnic wear at the front of the audience while the back featured people enticed by the fervour of the workshop. It was to be expected- with glowing lights overhead, a spirited stage and giddy smiles along with stumbling steps, who could resist?
Everyone joined slowly, entranced by the simple yet elegant choreography, slowly understanding how to twirl, as they do in garba, and exhibit grace. The air rang with laughter from the big crowd, falling and fumbling their steps. At the same time, they keep trying to avoid accidentally hitting each other. Still, they became more energetic and confident with every sequence they completed. It was as if they let the spirit of garba course through them.
After all the “happy accidents”, people in the crowd started to resonate very well with each other, when previously they were hesitant, and started out awkwardly. Together, their stomping feet shook the ground, making it dance with them. In the end, everyone came together and brilliantly executed the choreography, truly encompassing and celebrating what the night was about: coming together despite their diverse backgrounds, because garba isn’t something you do alone; in a small room, you do it with everyone, for anyone to see and join in.
That night, the garba workshop was the talk of the tables in each mess- elated chatter of the night yet to unfold. Hype among those waiting to flaunt their newly learnt moves. A frenzy among people awaiting this festival every year.
On 25th September, the campus was brimming with an energy unique to the festival of Navratri. There was a buzz in the air alike no other. The football ground, where Jhoom ‘25 was hosted, was unrecognizable that night. The event and its visuals were so alluring that there was approximately a 100-meter line just for entering. From aesthetic photobooths, to a dazzling stage- the venue had it all. The photobooth saw people dressed in their best ethnic wear. Friends hurriedly dragged each other to the booth the capture the excitement of the moment.
The food stalls boasted such an inviting menu- for those hungry after dancing their feet off and for the foodies who couldn’t resist. The stage was a sight to behold. With strings of coloured lights overhead and dazzling lighting arrangements, the setup featured on each Instagram story that night.
The air was electric with the sounds that buzzed. A traditional “Dhol-Tasha Pathak” added an authentic twist to the night- with people dancing their hearts out to the nostalgic beats. Up ahead on the stage, the DJ played bangers after bangers- from traditional Navratri songs to desi Bollywood whose lyrics one could scream out loud- no song went “un-danced” to.
The energy of the crowd was unmatched. There were those who played traditional garba and there were those who vibed to the ‘dhol-tasha’. There were those who danced to steps their muscle recognized since years while there were those who executed the choreography they’d learnt the day before. And there were those whose feet tapped away to the beats as the slurped on their ‘ice-golas’. But each soul that day matched the rhythm of the night. No one cared for the mud underneath, no one cared for who was watching- the only focus was the spirit of Jhoom. 25th September was brimming with an energy unlike any other- an energy everyone captured in their memory that night.