What's your dandiya statement this year?

If you are set to dance through the Navratri this season, you might want to pick a dandiya to suit your personality
It's that time of the year when every evening people dress up their best and rush to Navratri mandals near them. As dance is the mode of worship for these nine days and in case if you have not shopped for your dandiya sticks as yet, it is time to hurry up.The market is offering a wide range of dandiya sticks. Most shops and street vendors in Mumbai have lined up a host of colourful dandiyas that is difficult to resist. Here is a look at the variety of dandiya sticks the city has to offer.
The sound of metal: Then, there are these lightweight metal dandiyas, that are usually preferred by kids as they are extremely easy to handle. They are available either in silver or golden. Since they are made of metal, the sound emanating from them is metallic. This year they are available in interesting designs, and are wrapped in golden, silver or copper colour crepe paper, jamewar dandiyas, silver brocade ones, etc.

Designer metal dandiyas: Rs30-50 pair (depends on design and size)

The bandhani effect: The most important and integral part of the festival, dandiyas have evolved in not just one or two, but in several patterns. Starting with the traditional bandhani-wrapped dandiyas that mostly come in red colour, they are now avail able in yellow, blue, green and black colours as well.

"These are the most common patterns for dandiya sticks and are a completely sell-out from the lot. These dandiyas are made of wood and hence, make interesting sounds when hit against one another. This year, we have got golden brocade borders and laces wrapped on the sticks to give them an interesting look," mentioned Rachana Velchi, a Vashi-based vendor.

Designer dandiya: The most interesting dandiyas are the ones embellished with male and female dolls or khilaiyyas (as they are called) dressed in traditional Gujarati outfits. The store always has something unique for Navratri, and this time they are these khilaiyyadandiyas available in different patterns of dolls dressed in vari ous colours like golden, orange, red, blue, green, yellow, etc. They are all sold out very fast and very few pieces of them are left for sale. Some of the other patterns are bright two-coloured satin and lace wrapped dandiyas that are also doing rounds as girls match them with their outfits.

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