GaRbAa BeAtS

Never before had I been to a GaRbAa night. Except for one forgetful evening when I had been to one around 10:15pm and it got over by 10:30pm. :p

So this year (29th September) it was my first time and like all other things was unplanned and was decided at the last moment after some coaxing from my colleagues (Hardik, Ashwini and Pawan). I just happened to say ‘yes’ and then the next thing I remember was changing in to a shirt given by Hardik.

Ashwini made a couple of phone calls to ensure a pass for me was available. So me, Hardik, Pawan and Ashwini left for Mithibai college where the event was. Reshma, her dauther Anoushka, her husband and brother-in-law were going to join us at the event.

I was sure I would not be able to pick up the steps naturally. I am not a born dancer ! But I knew if someone gave me a crash course I may pick it up. Inside the music was loud and everyone were all enjoying. I was coOL… good music, coOL people and gr8 looking guju babes around :p

Among us Hardik was a pro and so was Ashwini, Pawan had two left feet and I had one 😉

Hardik and Ashwini joined a small gang and started dancing. I was warming up (;-) and just trying to let the beats seep in. Suddenly the music stopped and looked like the show was over. Unlike my previous experience this time I knew they would start again bu this time without the loudspeakers. It would just be the band and no vocals. It wouldn’t make a big difference to me.

I said to myself I am not here to see others dance… I wanted to try dance too. Hardik was extremely supportive and encouraging. He told me, “Akshay you need to learn the steps before the band starts playing again. Its your only chance!”. I said, “Fine! I don’t care whether the music is playing or not…just teach me now.”

So, there he was teaching me his favorite (and now mine too) move called ‘Popat’ while others were taking a break and resting. I was trying my best to match up to what he was try to teach me, but it wasn’t working. The flow wasn’t there. I would somewhere go wrong on the turns. There were people who were seeing us dancing with no music but we continued. Also, not all were interested in watching us, my steps were not that amusing.

So, to cut things short it wasn’t working untill… I came up with this algorithm.

Algo: POPAT_GARBA (2 - 4 : This is how its signaled 🙂

(Intialise: Face to the center of the circle formed)

1. Take a step towards your right. ( This may also look like a step and a half )
2. Now take a 180* turn in the clockwise direction
3. Take another step, this time towards your left and stop
4. Now take a step towards right.
5. Now take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
6. Take another step, towards your left.
7. Again take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
8. Now take a step towards right.
9. Now take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
10. Take another step, towards your left.
11. Again take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
12. Continue from Step 1 untill everyone decides to change the step. Also, even if you miss any keep continuing.

This may seem childish but I am sure people who are not well versed with Garba (lik me) may find it useful. Also the key here is taking the turns in the right orientation (clockwise/anti-clockwise).