Usha Mehta & Sakhi Group..!

Dear Well Wishers,
Though Raas Garba and Garba are not exactly the same, though they are related and often combined. Garba is a solo dance performed in a circle, while Raas (also called Dandiya Raas) involves two people holding sticks and tapping them together in a circle. Raas-Garba is a term that often refers to a combined event that includes both Garba and Raas dances…

As you may know, Garba is a form of Circle dance and Social dance form originating in the state of Gujarat, India, and played across the Indian diaspora worldwide. In fact, the phrase “Garba dance is in Gujarati blood”  is a metaphorical expression highlighting the deep cultural significance and tradition of Garba in Gujarat, India. While not a literal biological trait, it emphasizes the strong cultural connection and ingrained familiarity that many Gujaratis have with Garba… 

Proud to mention, our India Home’s respected member, versatile dancer and always well dressed Usha Mehta is a perfect समीकरण-Equation of the same dance. Not only Ushaben is doing the same Ras-Garba dance performances for many years for India Home with her group called, the Sakhi Group. Remarkably, her each and every performances with group are truly spectacular, superb, colourful with colourful dresses, well choreographed with deferent variety of dances, theme and music with expression and pleasing to the eye-नेत्रसुख. Since Garba is done solo and involves rhythmic steps in a circular form. There are simple versions that involve repeating a short sequence of steps, or more complex versions that require a little coordination. Besides Ras-Garba, Ushaben has done so many solo Garba dances too in other locations for India Home. Ras-Garba dance is about conveying emotions, telling stories, and connecting with the audience. Honestly, Ushaben is really a driving force behind it…

I do know arranging, organizing, planning and doing the same is not an easy job. It is a time consuming and hard work which require money, energy, dedication, passion as well. Though Ushaben has all the resources and qualities, she is simply doing it just for pleasure and love. In a way, she considered, “India Home has given her positive energy and put a really big smile on all of the member’s faces. She mostly enjoy the center’s group and group trips…”So, I was thinking to write more details for an article on Ushaben and her obedient Sakhi Group. Luckily, I had opportunity to sit down with her on our IH trip to BAPS-Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville. NJ…

My first question to her was, “How do you come up with this smart idea..?” She immediately said politely, “India Home. I could have not done this without them, their support and members.”  She added, “I’m from East Africa. I came to the U.S. in 1984 and worked for 24 years as a manager. After retiring I joined India Home. Mainly their Yoga classes. physical workoutand friendly environment with social activities which was turning point for me to do something extra for them. And also for the community. I do love all the form of dances mainly Garba, Bhangra and Bollywood. Since India Home has majority of Gujarati senior members, I came up with doing our own social, traditional and cultural dance Ras-Garba with my IH colleagues-friends.”

I was curious to know about how she manage to get their expensive, colourful dresses and time for practices. Ushaben said “I do order either custom and ready made dresses with different variety of style from India from online in advance for my group. Our group is so nice, kind, supportive and used pay the cost of the same without any problem. In our busy life, we do regular practices for the programs at our India Home, centers. Their help is greatly appreciated. Besides India Home,we did and are doing these programs all over in different locations and organizations in five boroughs, without any expectations. Last but not the least,India Home is keeping us alive…Thank you so much Jayantjee for having my interview and writing an article. I am truly obliged and it means a lot to us…!”’

The Sakhi Group: 
Organizer & Founder: Usha B. Mehta. Varsha Gandhi, Jyoti Mandavia, Mishridevi Raguibir, Nita Sheth, Rasilaben Sheth, Niruben Hansoti, Pratibha Butala and first lady of India Home, Padmaben Mehta…
I wish Ushaben and her Sakhi-Group all the best and good luck…

Take care with regards,
Jayant.

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—
Vasundhara Kalasapudi M.D
Executive Director of India Home inc
516-859-5125
www.indiahome.org