Garbaa and Raas is a community folk dance from Gujarat, India. The dance is performed in circular formation around a center marked by a lighted lamp that signifies womb and mother diety. The claps of Garbaa or the clicks of daandia sticks in Raas marks the pulse of the accompanying rhythms on traditional drums. 

 

Navratri is a 9-day festival dedicated to 9-mother dieties of Hindu tradition, during which Garbaa and Raas are performed as a form of devotion to mother dieties and enjoyed by the entire community. Garbaa and Raas is also performed during festive occasions.

 

Traditionally, the Garbaa and Raas folk dance are accompanied by Garbaa music ensemble consisting of singers, melody instruments flute and harmonium and rhythm instruments kutchhi dhol drum and jaanj or kaansa jodaa (finger cymbals).

 

Garbaa and Raas are community dance traditions, thus audience and community participation is essential.