Dandiyas of Navratri a major source of living for Muslims of Godhra
27 Sept 2014 4:46 AM IST
Several Muslim families in Godhra, about 60 kms from here, start preparing the dandiyas, used by men and women in the traditional folk dance, 5-6 months prior to the onset of the nine-day Navratri festival.
The about 18-inch long dandiya sticks, made from mango tree and ‘baval’ thorny tree wood, are decorated with colourful laces, beads and ‘ghungroos’ (tiny metallic bells strung together), says Rafiqbhai Abdulbhai Menda, who owns a dandiya manufacturing unit in Godhra.
According to him, over 500 Muslim families survive on ‘Kharadikam’ (painting and decorating of wooden sticks and other toys) done on these wooden sticks used for participating in ‘dandiya raas and garba’ across the state. ‘..the Muslim craftsmen feel happy preparing the dandiyas for a spirited participation in the Navratri festival by Hindu community members,’ Menda said.
The about 18-inch long dandiya sticks, made from mango tree and ‘baval’ thorny tree wood, are decorated with colourful laces, beads and ‘ghungroos’ (tiny metallic bells strung together), says Rafiqbhai Abdulbhai Menda, who owns a dandiya manufacturing unit in Godhra.
According to him, over 500 Muslim families survive on ‘Kharadikam’ (painting and decorating of wooden sticks and other toys) done on these wooden sticks used for participating in ‘dandiya raas and garba’ across the state. ‘..the Muslim craftsmen feel happy preparing the dandiyas for a spirited participation in the Navratri festival by Hindu community members,’ Menda said.
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