The morning after Dussehra, when most
people are packing away their chaniya cholis and resting their feet,
Jheel Vasavda is already feeling a quiet sense of withdrawal. For her, nine
nights of dance never quite feel like enough. Raised in Thane in a Gujarati
family, she grew up with an instinctive love for Indian folk traditions,happily
dancing to and teaching everything from the high-energy beats of Maharashtrian Lavani
to traditional Gujarati Garba. Over time, that lifelong passion evolved
into something bigger: her signature GET-SET-GARBA workshops and her community
Garba night, CHAALO
रमWAAH.
In her sessions, Jheel always highlights
the roots of the art form. The word Garba stems from Garbha
(womb), and the traditional Garbo, the perforated earthen pot holding a
lit lamp, symbolises life, paying homage to the Mother Goddess (Maa).
Understanding this shifts Garba from a simple festive workout into a genuine
celebration of womanhood, fertility, and strength.
That inclusive spirit carries over into
how she connects with people. Once a circle gets into rhythm, age and
background fade away. Jheel put that philosophy into practice during a workshop
with Mumbai's Rescue Foundation, teaching girls across different age groups and
using dance as a bridge to unite society.
Always looking to innovate while keeping
traditions alive, Jheel has also introduced Thane’s first Glow-in-the-Dark
Garba Night, pairing traditional Maa na Garba with UV lighting for a
serene, immersive experience.
A Gujarati raised in Thane, part Garvi
Gujarati, part Marathi Maaz, she runs her workshops not to train
professionals, but simply to pass on the pure bliss of Navratri to all.
