UNESCO inscribed "Garba of Gujarat" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. UNESCO recognizes it as a living tradition that combines ritual, devotion, performance, craftsmanship, music, costume, and community participation.
One of the most performed dances of the world is the GARBA of Gujarat. It is far more than a folk dance. Its roots lie in ancient goddess worship, fertility rituals, and the celebration of the feminine principle (Shakti). While the exact date of its origin cannot be established, scholars generally agree that Garba evolved over many centuries in Gujarat from devotional and community rituals associated with the Mother Goddess.
Garba gradually moved beyond temple precincts into village squares, neighbourhood courtyards (sheri garba), and public grounds. It became a shared cultural expression cutting across caste and economic divisions. UNESCO notes that Garba continues to foster social equality and community cohesion.
The presentation is based on Prof (Dr.) Parul Shah's love for Gujarat being Gujarati. Her quest to know the dance traditions of country. It is built upon decades of observation, trust, documentation, dialogue, practice and participation. It will have performance visuals, analysis and information and live demonstration .
Prof. Shah represents a rare synthesis of accomplished performer, cross-cultural choreographer, Bharatanatyam guru, dance educator, researcher, scholar, and visionary arts administrator. Equally adept in classical, folk, and contemporary dance vocabularies, she has excelled in solo performance, ensemble productions, dance-theatre, and large-scale choreographic works.
Prof. Dr. Parul Shah’s contributions to the field of dance span more than six decades. Born and raised in Gujarat, she nurtured a deep love for the state's rich folk traditions, particularly Garba and Raasa, alongside her extensive work in classical and contemporary dance forms. A dedicated practitioner and researcher of folk arts, she earned her Ph.D. with a pioneering study on the Raasa dance traditions of Gujarat. With extensive experience and deep knowledge, she was invited directly by the PMO, Govt of India to write the dossier for Garba which earned the ICH tag of UNESCO in 2023.
Throughout her illustrious career of 35 years of University teaching, she has not only enriched the world of dance through performances, choreography, teaching, research, cultural advocacy, and institutional leadership but also by creating a whole PG Pathashala course of 16 papers for SWAYAM Govt of India and MOOCs. Form 2016 till today more than 200,000 dance learners have visited the site. At the age of 41, she became the youngest Professor and Dean of the Faculty of performing Arts of the illustrious Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat India. Her scholarship and artistic excellence have received international recognition through prestigious fellowships, including the Fulbright Program and Choreomundus.
Alongside an active performing career, she has successfully nurtured the cultural organization Anjali Memorial Committee, fostering artistic excellence and cultural dialogue through festivals, workshops, and educational initiatives. Combining rigorous scholarship with artistic sensitivity, Prof. Shah continues to inspire generations of dancers, scholars, and cultural practitioners through her dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the performing arts.
Ms. Neelima Ahirwal, gold medallist, post graduate in Bharatanatyam from the Faculty of Performing Arts, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda India. Since 2016, she is promoting Indian classical arts through teaching, choreography, and performance in London through her institute Navya School of Dance. She, along with her students have presented work at venues including the High Commission of India, The Bhavan, Krishna Temple Watford, and Watford Fringe Festival.
Kushal Patel, a Barodian is in love with dance. Currently both Nilima and Kushal are pursuing advanced training in the folk traditions of Gujarat under Professor Dr. Parul Shah.