PANJIM, OCTOBER 5
Leading activist of the Sanatan Sanstha and spokesman of the Hindu Janajagriti Samiti (HJS) Dr Manoj Solanki has said that there is widespread desecration of “Hindu dharma and culture” in the commercial use of ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandiya’ during Navratri. This, he says, sets an undesirable example for the future generation.
‘Disco Dandiya’, in darkly lit halls with flashing lights and deafening volumes of music created by modern instruments using filmy songs with intermittent creation of smoke, is not in tune with ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandiya’. The reason for this is that the majority of Hindus are apathetic about their dharma, lacking education and information about it, and do not have pride for their religion.
‘Garba’ means devotion-filled singing of hymns praising the goddess in the combination of rhythmic clapping. She protected the people by slaying the demon Mahishashura, and in gratitude, this dance is performed.
‘Dandiya’ is the symbol of ‘khadag’ (a sword like weapon), to tell the goddess that the dancers are doing her worship. ‘Dandiya’ symbolises war against our ‘Shad-ripus’ (six defects). The presently practiced Disco Dandiya is undesirable, Dr Solanki said in a press statement.
