Fall in India brings a vibrant outburst of festivals and celebrations throughout the country. The second the season steps foot in the terrain, it embraces the atmosphere with the inviting fragrance and unapologetic enthusiasm of the upcoming festivities full of sparkle, colour, devotion, and of course, the multiple occasions to adorn ourselves with vivid hues, fabrics and jewellery.
The first of the many festivals is Sharada Navratri, a Hindu festival observed in the honour of goddess Durga, and celebrated over a period of nine consecutive days in the months of September or October. Throughout India, it is celebrated differently and for different reasons. From attending the glorious Durga Pujas in the eastern states to partaking in the euphoretic Garba Dances from the west of the country, there’s devotion, elation, hue and sparkle at every nook and corner.
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The Garba Events are one of the most popular forms of celebrating the festival, wherein people gather to perform traditional devotional dances to show their faith to the goddess, as well as enjoy the glamour and bliss of the upcoming season as they welcome it.
The outfits revolve around the concept of heavy movement. Hence, the silhouettes and fabrics are chosen so that they feel comfortable while performing the energetic dance form, as well as look good while presenting themselves. The colour palette traditionally involves nine different colours for the nine days of the festival, including the hues of Orange, White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Purple and Peacock Green. While it is not mandatory to wear the colours according to the days, people find it as a part of their pride and spirituality to follow these traditions faithfully. The designs contain colourful embroidery and intricate mirrorwork, along with prints like Bandhani and Ajrakh which not only give us a glimpse of the traditional attire, but also help the people remember their West-Indian roots. Chaniya-choli and Anarkali suits are some of the traditional staples, while in the recent years, the youth have also been experimenting with Indo-Western looks, pairing their crop-tops and halters with traditional lehengas, dupattas and oxidised jewellery, giving a contemporary touch of individuality and self-expression to the celebration.
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With nine nights filled with shimmery hues, dance, culture and divine euphoria, the festival is absolutely an occasion to make the best of memories with loved ones, enjoy traditions from multiple parts of the country, and dress ourselves with the most vibrant colours and jewellery without feeling that it is ‘too much’! It brings a wonderful opportunity to celebrate culture and welcome the season with utmost love, warmth and devotion.
XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market
