More than 1,600 people from across the country took part in a spectacular Dandiya celebration last night.
The Grand ILA Dandiya night (GARBA NI RAAT) 2022, a signature event of the Indian Ladies Association (ILA), was held at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain.
Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava and his wife Monica Srivastava, who is also the patron of ILA, were chief guests at the event.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ communication and promotion director Huda Al Alawi and Capital Governorate director of information and follow-up Yousif Yaqub Lori were guests of honour.
Dandiya is a folk dance from the Indian state of Gujarat which is popularly performed during the Hindu festival Navaratri. The nine-day festival celebrates the victory of good over evil.
ILA has been organising the ‘Dandiya Night’ for more than two decades. Funds raised through the event will be used for supporting the differently-abled children at Sneha, a unique ILA initiative launched more than five decades ago.
Among the attendees were Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company board chairman and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member Basim Al Saie and Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
Businessmen and heads of various associations also attended the celebration, which featured traditional dance performances by professionals besides bazaars and stalls that showcased art, craft, jewellery, clothes and food.
There were many competitions for the crowd including the best Rangoli (Indian art of painting using coloured powder), best Thali decoration, best traditional Navaratri outfit, best dancing group, best dancing couple, best dancer male/female and best dressed kid.
There was also a grand raffle draw for three mega prizes.
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