Garba ringtones add zest to Barodians festive fervour

Youngsters are opting for tunes, wallpapers & batwas for their mobile phones

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA

Friday, September 26, 2008

This Navratri, revellers in the cultural capital of Gujarat will have great savoir-faire. In a way that is tech-enabled. Though the festival is yet to begin, famous garba songs like Tara Vina Shyam…, Chhela Ji Re…, Halaji Tara…, Tara Nam Ni Chundadi..., are already in lavish use as mobile ringtones. And to add to the fervour, wallpapers and caller tunes of your favorite garba pose or song are just a click away. Youngsters in Vadodara feel that garba has its own charm and it gives a traditional feeling when one hears them on mobile phones. In fact, during Navratri, some youngsters also keep changing their garba tunes every day. Kaushal Joshi, a commerce student, said, “I am a big fan of movie songs but during Navratri, no movie song can be as interesting as garbas. The garba songs on my mobile give me a festive feeling. Therefore, I make a point to get latest song as ringtones when the fest is just a few weeks away. This time, my friends will hear Dholi taro dhol vage as my caller tune when they will call me.”Gujarati folk songs Sanedo and Timali are also a rage among youngsters because of its typical Gujarati rust. At the MS University campus, students are be seen exchanging garba ring tones and wall papers. Bhargav Jani, a management student at MSU, said, “The demand for Navratri ring tones and garba wallpapers and screen savers are in full demand this year. Youngster are busy exchanging ring tones with friends when the meet up.” Traditional garba are also ringing as caller tunes. A customer care executive of a mobile service provider company, said, “As the Navratri is approaching, demand for Gujarati garba as ring tones and caller tunes are increasing. Everyday we get numbers of calls asking for popular garba songs and procedure to set it as caller tunes. Our service provides special collection of Gujarati garba as ring tones and caller tones, especially during the festival.”Funky mobile covers called batwa with mirror, bandhani and traditional woolen work which come in attractive style of bangles and work are in huge demand among city girls.Garba reveler Poonam Patel, a collegian, said, “I have bought bandhani mobile covers to go with my chania-cholis.”