BHUBANESWAR: All festivals have things that excite us. During Navratri, a nine-day festival, it is the Dandiya nights that provide the excitement.
Dandiya nights in the city are occasions for fun and enjoyment for people of all age groups.
Many hotels and organisations are organising Dandiya nights, where popular singers of the state and the film industry will perform to which the participants will dance and enjoy themselves.
Many hotels and cultural organisations which host Dandiya Raas as it is popularly known, have announced the schedules for these events. Leading hotels will begin their Dandiya celebrations from October 13.
“We have been organising Dandiya nights during Navratri as people of city seem to like it a lot. We have a huge dance floor where youngsters can dance to the Garba and Hindi music,” said Sainath Mohapatra, who is organising Dandiya nights at Saheed Nagar since five years.
“Every year, we ensure that the dancers enjoy themselves in a safe environment. We have also brought Disc jockeys (DJs) from Mumbai,” he added.
Prayas, a cultural organisation, is organising its 7th Dandiya Mahotsav at the Exhibition Ground from October 17 to October 19.
Bana Mohanty, the President of Prayas, said, “The Dandiya festival is a time for the family, friends and relatives to enjoy. We have made special arrangements like live DJ. Prizes will be given to the Dandiya queen, best dancer, best couple, best costume and best child dancer.”
Many hotels have invited Hindi and Odia singers to participate in these events. Leading singers from the Hindi and Odia film industry will attend the ‘Raas Garba 2018’ from October 13 to October 18 at a city hotel.
Celebrity singers like Sujata Singh, Arindam Chakraborty, Vinti Singh, Shasanka Sekhar, Gautam Giri and Sonam Dash among others will entertain guests during the event.
Dandiya Raas organisers have made arrangements not only to attract kids, but also to provide a wide variety of Indian snacks like panipuri and chaat.
Though a North Indian tradition, community dancing has caught up with the residents of the city since some years.