Garba Queen of Midwest Bharti Desai Rocks Chicago
Chicago IL: Gandhi Samaj of Chicago, one of the oldest cultural organizations of Indian-Americans in the U.S., presented "Bharti Desai Midwest Queen of Garba" on Saturday - October 8, 2016 at Maine East High School, 2601 W. Dempster St., Park Ridge. This auspicious event was celebrated by over 700 GSC members, friends, and well-wishers.
For the Garba, as usual, members adorned beautiful and traditional attire for Chaniya-Choli and Kurta-pajama. The whirling dancers, clapping hands, distinct sound of wooden 'Dandia' striking together, toe tapping music and people wearing vibrant colorful clothes marked the Navratri celebration at the Garba & Dandiya Raas dances held all over Chicagoland. This is part of the worship of Durga Mata who symbolizes the victory of God over Evil. Navratri celebration marks a festival of nine nights during which Hindus worship goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the goddesses of health, prosperity and knowledge, respectively. While Navratri and Dussehra (the 10th day) are celebrated by Hindus with regional variations, the most famous one is from the state of Gujarat.
This year, the Navratri celebration was organized by Mr. Keyur Ghayal (President), Mr. Hitesh Gandhi (Executive Vice President), Mrs. Bhumika Gandhi (Vice President), Mr. Ashwin Bodalia (Treasurer), Mrs. Roma Bhagat (Cultural Secretary), Mr. Manhar Gajjar (Secretary) along with joint sectaries Mr. Bharat Ghayal, Mr. Ramesh Gandhi, Mr. Dipak Ghayal and the youth committee Mr. Hiren Ghayal and Ms. Priya Ghayal of Gandhi Samaj of Chicago.
Aarti table was beautifully decorated in the center of the hall with the flowers, fruits and candle lamps around the pictures of Ambamata and Modheshwari Mata by Bhumika Gandhi and Roma Bhagat with the help of Saroj Ghayal, Salma Ghayal, Mohini Ghayal, Kusum Gandhi and Jagruti Ghayal. The atmosphere was warm and heartfelt. Our goal was to create spiritual uplift when friends and family walked in to the event.
Garba Queen of Midwest Bharti Desai is a renown & award winner singer in the Chicago who enthralled the audience with her charming personality. She also did a great job at the in Gandhi Samaj Navaratri garba. She started with Three claps Garba " kum Kum Kera Pagale Madi" She sing Classical " Raksha Karo Ambe Maa Bhavani". She continued amazing Garbas in Two Taali. In Raas everybody enjoyed Disco Dandia, Sanedo, Amu Kaka Bapa Na, Bhai-Bhai, Hitch. She sing all what's the Khelaiys wants to do dance. She sing alone almost 4 to 5 hours continue with Mataji's Arti, Thaal & Stuti.
The reason people love Bharati Desai could be "because she sing from her heart and soul", said Hitesh Gandi' executive vice president of the organization. "The songs that she selects are well known and original folk songs" said Nisha Deshpande who was accompanied by her 3 yrs. old son dressed in Gujrati dress, one of the many energetic participants present. She gives little variation in notes, but keep the soul, the 'atma' of the song intact" said Priya Ghayal and Roma Bhagat. This was echoed by another very happy attendee Mrs. Priya Ghayal who described the event in ecstatic manner: It was an excellent, enjoyable, exceptional event presented
The Garba Queen of Midwest Bharti Desai was complemented by Amit Desai (Manager & Side Rythem), Arpit Pathak (Dhol & Tabala), Shivam Thakker (Drum Player), Ali Saad (Key Board), Nikhil Thakkar (Sound Engineer) and Chirag Thakkar (Sound Engineer).
A delicious variety of food was available on site, which included Traditional Pav-Bhaji, Samosa-chole chaat, Mango Lassi, and tea.
We are prepared and ready to tackle the big crowd with a solid executive plan. "It was a very smooth execution even though we received over 700 members that night," "Thanks to all the sponsors of the grand event without their support it would not be possible to have such a wonderful event also thanks to audience of Chicago and well-wishers who attended the event to make this magnificent event successful" said by Mr Hitesh Gandhi, Exec Vice President of Gandhi Samaj.
"It was a colorful, cherished event as kids, youth and adults of all ages participated and brought the liveliness around us" said Bhumika Gandhi, Vice President of GSC who was also the main lead of this event.
The Garba program ended with an Arti around 12:00 a.m. followed by Prasad distribution.
"The number of people attending this Navratri event, held by Gandhi Samaj of Chicago, shows the commitment and support within the community to come together, celebrate, and dance the night away!" said Mr. Keyur Ghayal, President of Gandhi Samaj of Chicago.