Kids garba is gaining popularity

Exclusive garba venues for kids has nearly doubled this year

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Sunday, October 05, 2008

Increasing number of exclusive garba venues for kids and the grandeur with which these are organized in city certainly reflect the enthusiasm of the Barodian children. Garba venues meant only for kids are gaining popularity in the city. In fact, it has nearly doubled this year.More than ten venues in the city are organising kids' garba this year. In most of the venues, children only up to 15 year are allowed in the ground. Interestingly at kids' garba, playback singing and instrument playing is also done by the kids. Group of kids make the garba enthusiasts dance on their beats.What attract kids' attention towards the garbas are gifts. Each participant is given gifts everyday. Anal Patel, an 11-year-old enthusiast, said, “From last three years, I am playing at kids' garba venue near my home. I like it here as it gives me enough space to dance in comparison to common garba venues, where we kids don't get any attention. Along with that, a new gift everyday adds excitement to our garba fervor.”Parents find kids' garba perfect for their children due to exclusive entry only for kids. Smita Shah, mother of 12-year-old twins, Rahul and Ruhali, said, “I prefer these garba venues for my kids as they provide an environment essentially of their kind also granting safety. At general garba venues it is difficult for children to dance. Here I can also see them dance.”Avani Patel, an organizer of kids' garba in Vadodara, said, “We have been organising kids' garba at Karelibag for last seven years. The increased number of young enthusiasts has made this place equivalent to other garba venues.” Young garba enthusiasts with their unique dressing style are also making the festival alive.