Dear Editor,
The Garba dance, hosted by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (Indian Culture Centre of the Indian High Commission and the Indian Government in Guyana), on the evening of October 5th, 2019 was truly a dance of splendour and therapy to the soul.
The evening was sponsored by the Indian High Commission and it was truly exciting, euphoric, and if I may say so, entertaining and educational. It was a form of constant self-entertainment for self and family. Not many people would know this, but the Garba dance can be a national form of exercise, as I have seen in similar cultural dances in China where they do these similar exercises – at times, in front of restaurants – where the people would join each other after eating, or coming out in market places, street places and even in relaxation areas like the seawalls or peace parks and recreational areas, and the people would just start doing some Tai Chi and similar dances like the Garba dance.
These dances are a great exercise that rejuvenate the body and the spirit of man, and also spread positive energy in the universe. Dancing is something very beautiful to the human mind and the human body. It calms the soul, brings out energy and happiness. When we are happy and energized, we feel beautiful. Our breath takes that sweetness of inner refreshment into the universe and makes the universe a lot better. It is also an excellent form of exercise that will help you to keep yourself fit. Garba is an exceptional way to lose fat, especially around the stomach area because of the complicated movements which involve stretching, twisting and turning of the upper body. You have to stand, you have to use your hands, fingers, move with the sticks, move in certain postures and positions, swirl and then return to the original position. You have to raise the hand in the air and hit the floor with the sticks and move at the same time. It is an excellent form of exercise which also brings happiness by releasing happy hormones that relax the mind, body and soul.
At this juncture, I would like to compliment the Indian High Commission for sponsoring this event. I have been associated with the Indian High Commission for well over 40 years and it is only during the time of High Commissioner, Venkatchalam Mahalingam, that this Garba dance was introduced, which I think was a fantastic idea. I have now observed that the new High Commissioner, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, has continued the tradition. The Garba dance form varies from one Indian state to another. India is known to have hundreds of varied cultures, all of which not only brings everyone together, but brings joy to the human heart and soul. The evening was truly pleasurable and enjoyable, thank you Indian High Commissioner.
One of the highlights, I must admit, is to see mostly a set of African Guyanese students (and I am mentioning this for a particular reason – for identity sake), they did a spectacular piece of the Garba dance in the most unique and lovely costume that is from the Guyana School of Dance. It was amazing to see how these children performed. So much so that I had to go and find them afterwards and compliment them on how amazingly fantastic they were. All of the dancers – children and adults – shone on their own and collectively. Oh and the music master, Mr. Amjad Warsi… he is an art by himself! The repertoire of the sounds of music that he produced from his dholak and his tabla, ahhh… it was dramatically exciting and rhythmically moving to the human soul and spirit.
Thank you, Indian High Commission and the Government of India, for thinking of descendants and others living in these parts of the world, even after our ancestors left India during the days of indentureship.
Yours faithfully,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.
Chairman/Founder
RK’s Guyana Security Services
