5 Dandiya Steps you must know for the upcoming Dandiya Dhamaka Event

Dandiya is a joyous dance form carried out mostly during Navratri festival season. This beautiful dance form is originated in Gujrat. The steps of Dandiya and Garba are somewhat similar; the difference is the use of props. In dandiya as the name suggests sticks are used. The hand and foot movements are similar to Garba.

These dandiya sticks are adorned with colorful laces and heavy mirror work. The outfits of women and men are magnificently colorful. Women wear Gaghra and choli i.e. long skirts and top. This outfit is unique to the dance form and has to be decorated with mirror and embroidery work. Along with this dupatta is carried by women. The dupatta is done with bandhani work. Bandhani is a traditional form of making dupattas.

Men wear a headgear i.e. a turban as per their choice, along with dhoti and Kurta. People usually match their outfits with their partners. Dandiya is a group dance form, so you will always require a partner to dance with. Below is the 5 must know dance steps, which are not only easy but are pretty basic:

1. Alternate Dandiya Hand and Foot Movement:

Dandiya has got a rhythm to it. The music is also in regular beat form, so it becomes easy to catch the rhythm and get on with it. Your right dandiya will hit your partner’s left and alternate leg and foot movements will go along. You can also call this as a “rhythmic swirl” movement, as you will be pushing yourself forth and back and sideways while hitting the sticks. You have to catch the beat in order to dance. Dandiya is all about catching the beat. Even the tapping of the dandiya sticks is done together in the group. Everything works in synchronization. So follow the beat and you will see that dandiya is so easy to perform.

2. Simultaneous close and wide circle:

Couples use the same alternate rhythmic movements but gather in order to make close circles followed by wide circles like a blooming flower. So you all together raise your dandiya sticks high up, get together making a close circle. After that, you spread back wider to make a bigger circle using dandiya sticks at every movement. This can also be followed by couples swirling on their own during the wide circle formation before pushing closer again.

3. Revolving in trails exchanging partners:

In this, you follow your group in a trail and swirl sideways tapping the dandiya sticks of opposite partners. This is also done in a rhythm following the beat by tapping the sticks together. This creates such a beautiful ambiance which looks so positive and joyous. Usually, all are excited to form the trail. People dance in unity and there are smiles on their face. Making a trail is so exciting and it looks perfectly synchronized. Also, this is the easiest of all the steps as you are only following what the other is doing.

4. Classic Raddha-Krishna Style:

It’s not difficult to figure out what Raddha- Krishna style is. You will hold the dandiya stick like a flute that Lord Krishna holds. Radha will play along with the gesture and you can use the simultaneous hand and foot movements. This step can be improvised at so many levels. You can swirl, use it in a trail or perform solo as per your choice. It looks divine to perform and or the audience to watch.

5. Fast dandiya tapping in circular rhythm:

Just like Garba where you clap here, you will tap the dandiya sticks. Usually, the ending of a song is faster and people go crazy performing the last part of the dance. This is no different than the simultaneous hand and foot movement. The only difference is its way faster and you are tapping the sticks with your partner and the partner at your sideways too. It looks beautiful and people enjoy following the trail. It’s the best part of the dance which is so powerful and energetic.

The spirit of dandiya is in bringing all of us together where you dance and bring smiles to everyone's face. It is a cultural dance form and is enjoyed by everyone. Dandiya dance competitions are held where couples perform solo or in a group. People look forward to performing dandiya as it is an auspicious activity for them. They celebrate their religion, faith, and love for each other in this dance form.