On Sunday, Oct. 12, the University of Connecticut’s Indian Student Association (ISA) held their Garba at the Volleyball Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in celebration of the Navratri festival.
Garba is a night dedicated to the traditional folk dance from Gujarat, India. The dance features dancers moving in concentric circles to celebrate the goddess, Durga. The event is part of Navratri, a nine-night Hindu festival that honors Durga and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. While deeply rooted in spiritual meaning, Garba has also become a social and cultural gathering that brings together communities through dance, music and shared joy.
ISA hosts several events throughout the year that cultivate a rich expression of Indian culture, and Garba is the biggest event they host. This year, they hosted it at the UConn Volleyball Center to accommodate the student interest in the event. Tickets were sold on Doorlist with 3 drop times: Sept. 25, Sept. 30 and October 2.
“The event was a culmination of lots of hard work from every member of the board. We had several committees, like Logistics and Decorations, working to make this event a success,” said Aanvi Agrawal, vice president of ISA. “In the end, we’re just excited to create a space where students can experience Indian culture on campus.” Agrawal is a sixth-semester molecular and cellular biology and psychology double major.
The event was not exclusive to UConn students — many attendees were students from other colleges and even high schools.
“It was a really great chance to see that Indian culture can still be a prominent part of my life in college,” said South Windsor High School senior Arushi Sharma. “Everyone was so welcoming, and the music just made you want to dance.”
The event itself began at 4 p.m. and doors closed at 6 p.m. As soon as the event began, the energy in the room was vibrant and participants were dancing around in circles. The members of ISA had also created a decorative background for photos, so the event was filled with laughter, music and excitement.
Midway through the evening, ISA began selling colorful dandiya sticks — short, decorated wooden sticks used in another traditional dance called Dandiya Raas. Groups of friends eagerly lined up to purchase a pair and join in the rhythmic clacking of sticks, adding to the festive atmosphere. The floor filled with synchronized movements, joyful laughter and the echo of wooden sticks striking in unison.
As the evening progressed, the traditional Garba music transitioned into a high-energy DJ set that featured a mix of classic Indian beats and modern Bollywood hits. The change in tempo drew everyone back to the center of the floor for one final burst of dancing. The crowd cheered as the DJ played favorites like “Nagada Sang Dhol” and “Gallan Goodiyan,” closing the night with an explosion of energy and excitement.
By the time the event ended around 8 p.m., attendees were tired but smiling, some lingering to take photos or chat with new friends. ISA’s Garba once again proved to be more than just a dance — it was a celebration of culture, community and connection.
After the main Garba event, ISA also hosted an afterparty at Kathmandu Kitchen & Bar to continue the celebrations in a party setting.
As the event was closing, ISA also announced their next event: a Diwali Cultural Showcase to generate excitement and anticipation for their upcoming events. More information is to be released on their Instagram page.