by Vidhi Bhargava

In the world India perhaps has the most festivals. We Indian just need a reason to celebrate -- the onset of monsoon, harvest, planting of new crops or the birthday of any among the 330 million Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

After Ramadan, the month-long Muslim festival that precedes Eid, Navratri (‘nav’ means nine and ‘ratri’ is Hindi for night) is the longest festival in India. Though the Festival of Nine Nights is celebrated across the country there’s something more special about it in Gujarat. The state that is often in news for all the wrong reasons takes on a new glow during the festivities that involve music, dancing, fasting and feasting. Navratri ‘pandaals’ (tents) spring up across the city and are witness to all-night traditional Gujarati dances – Garba and Dandiya.

A recent visit to Gujarat, not just gave me a chance to join in the celebrations but also appreciate the effortless marriage of the traditional and modern. Evenings in Ahmedabad turned magical as fairy lights lit up the city and drumbeats permeated the air. And as I soaked in the festivities a sight that had me awed were roads full of scooters driven by women in ‘chaniya cholis’ (embroidered blouses worn with ankle length skirts) and pillion riders dressed similarly.

For a Western audience this may not really mean much but for a non-metropolitan Indian city that is still firmly rooted in traditions and adheres to strict conventions specially for girls, it is about liberation. About finally being able to do what they want. To be able to move around the city without chaperones, to assert their individuality, while they are still rooted to their traditions. India is changing and for the better. And now keeping up with the changing times is all a way of life.