On October 4th, the JPS Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) collaborated with Middlesex County College (MCC) to put together an energetic Garba Night Festival filled with the rich cultural heritage of the Indian community. Starting at 8 pm all the way to 1 am, students, families, and community members joined together for a night packed with traditional music and dance. This lively event was held at the local county’s college, which was spacious and adorned with vivid-colored decorations, setting the stage for an evening of music, dance, and unity.

Rex D’Souza took center stage, performing and singing old-time traditional Garba music. His stimulating beats combined with enchanting melodies held the audience spellbound and on their feet, dancing in unison in circular movements. The constant drumming of the dhols and jingling of multi-colored bangles created an atmosphere of joyousness and community.

Garba, a native folk dance from Gujarat, India, symbolizes joy and community. The dance is performed to pay respect to all nine forms of the mother goddess Durga, in Hinduism, during the nine nights of Navratri. It is a ceremonial dance that represents the cycle of life and death, in which dancers form circles around an image or picture of the goddess while performing this dance. To many JPS students who attended the Garba night, it wasn’t about dancing; culture was being celebrated and a community was able to come together. 

“It was such a fun experience being able to celebrate my culture with my community!,” said junior Diva Vachhani. “I’m so glad this PTSO-partnered event was so well organized as I enjoyed it a lot with my friends.”

The event showed how such cultural events showcase the diversity within a community, while also bringing people together, and strengthening communal bonds. Whether individuals knew the dance steps or not, everyone was invited to join in and be involved, promoting a sense of inclusion in a lively atmosphere. The spirit of families and friends who came together to celebrate the festival and the sense of community was noticeable throughout the night. 

Junior Jeeval Paliwal said, “I think Garba is a great way to combine having fun and connecting with your culture. I loved seeing the different colorful outfits people wore to this Garba event!.”

In addition, this Garba event wasn’t just a night of dancing, as traditional Indian snacks were also being munched on by various families and friends who sat together. Not only did the sweet dishes and savory snacks provided allow families to enjoy the taste of India but they also further sensed the spirit of festivity the event had provided to them. The setting was so lively for bonding over bits of food and relaxing in between rounds of dancing. 

Garba Night was indeed a grand success; it reflected the magic involved in engaging communities and celebrating culture. The music blended with dancing and a mutual sense of cultural pride gave way to a night to remember. There was an even deeper feeling of community: new friends were being made and appreciation for cultural diversity began to bloom. It wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of unity amidst diversity—a showcase of how JPS’s PTSO and the county can come together to create a vibrant, inclusive space for all people. Not only were participants able to enjoy their culture, but they were also in the process of making lifelong moments and sweet memories with their friends and family.