The rhythmic clicking of Dandiya sticks, swirling traditional costumes and energetic Garba dancing transformed the Laguna Ballroom at Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore into a colourful celebration of Gujarati culture from Oct 16 to 18.
More than 3,000 people attended the Singapore Gujarati Society’s (SGS) flagship Navratri 2026 celebrations, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who joined participants on the dance floor.
Billed as “Singapore’s Truly Original Navratri”, the festival attracted enthusiastic crowds, with tickets for Oct 16 and 17 selling out in advance.
SGS president Sharmila Patel said the celebrations reflected the society’s commitment to preserving authentic Gujarati traditions while welcoming Singapore’s diverse communities.
“From authentic Garba music and traditional steps to the different styles and rhythms practised in Gujarat, we strive to recreate the experience of celebrating Navratri in its homeland,” she said.
For more than six decades, SGS has organised Navratri celebrations, helping successive generations maintain their cultural connections.
This year’s programme featured Garba sequences ranging from beginner-friendly six-step movements to intricate 72-step formations.
Participants danced around an idol of Goddess Durga, accompanied by traditional music and Dandiya rhythms.
A highlight was Ms Indranee’s participation.
“It was a pleasure to have her join us on the dance floor and play Dandiya with our community this year,” Mrs Patel said.
A significant addition was the society’s first dedicated Senior Citizens’ Navratri, featuring live performances of traditional Garba songs by SGS’s in-house singers.
“Our seniors are the keepers of our traditions, and we wanted them to experience Navratri in a way that was meaningful and enjoyable for them,” Mrs Patel said.
The encouraging response has prompted SGS to consider making it a regular feature.
A dedicated Kids’ Navratri session on Oct 17 introduced children to Garba and Dandiya, while cultural performances by SGS members and guest artistes added to the festivities.
Entrepreneur Nitin Jain was impressed by the atmosphere and community participation.
“What a wonderfully colourful and energetic evening, beautifully organised and enthusiastically supported by the community and Singapore’s ministers,” he said.
“It was heartwarming to see so many different Indian associations come together in celebration of our shared culture and traditions.”
He added that the turnout and energy were so fantastic that the event could easily have been twice the size.
Mr Akbar Makani, an urban strategist and sustainability advocate, highlighted the celebration’s multicultural significance.
“What made the evening meaningful was the openness, friendship and mutual respect we shared,” he said.
“Singapore’s strength lies in the relationships we build across cultures and faiths. Gatherings like this give expression to pluralism, deepening understanding and a shared sense of belonging.”
Mr Makani also thanked SGS’s leadership and volunteers on behalf of the Ismaili community for their hospitality.
More than 100 volunteers supported the celebrations, alongside sponsors and community partners.
Mrs Patel emphasised that Navratri remained fundamentally a celebration of faith and devotion.
“When culture brings people together in this way, it strengthens both our community and Singapore’s multicultural fabric,” she said.
