Within the slender, labyrinthine lanes of Ahmedabad’s outdated metropolis, the partitions whisper age-old tales, maintaining alive traditions each uncommon and delightful. One such story is that of Saduma, a girl from the Barot neighborhood, whose reminiscence lingers in a ritual nonetheless noticed.
The legend dates again to 1816, when Ahmedabad was underneath Maratha rule. Based on one retelling of the story, the ruler of town, captivated by Saduma’s attraction, demanded that she be dropped at his palace. However Saduma resisted. She requested her husband to finish her life with a sword somewhat than give up to the ruler’s whims. He might solely inflict a minor harm, and in her anguish, Saduma cursed her personal neighborhood.
Because the years handed, the Barot neighborhood sought to atone. They promised that on each Navratri Ashtami, males from the neighborhood would don saris and carry out garba in Saduma’s reminiscence. This symbolic inversion — males sporting ladies’s apparel — was an act of penance, remembrance, and devotion.
Over two centuries later, the custom continues, a dwelling testomony to delusion and cultural reminiscence. Yearly, the ritual is carried out with a quiet depth that contrasts sharply with the grand commercialised garba celebrations elsewhere.
Males in saris dance via the lanes, maintaining alive the story of Saduma with each step.
On September 29, the eighth night time of Navratri, an occasion was held to recreate Saduma’s story as chronicled by author Jhaverchand Meghani. The occasion drew over 180 guests, who gathered in a neighborhood corridor for the efficiency and a subsequent dialogue.
In these quiet rituals, Ahmedabad’s outdated metropolis reminds us that historical past isn’t solely remembered in books however that it’s lived, carried out, and celebrated. The ritual is carried out solely every year.
Whereas it’s rooted within the Barot neighborhood, this 12 months noticed many younger males from outdoors the neighborhood donning saris and becoming a member of the dance.
“I have been wearing a sari and performing garba every Navratri Ashtami for the past 15 years, to please Saduma and seek her blessings for peace and prosperity in our Barot community. Believe it or not, many men from outside the community also join the celebration… The rule is very simple: one must wear a sari and perform garba on Navratri Ashtami,” stated Nileshbhai Barot (55), a resident of Saduma ni Pol, Ahmedabad.
Preparing: A Barot man attire up in a sari for the garba at Saduma ni Pol in Ahmedabad. The efficiency is a standard apply that native folks imagine will ward o a curse on the Barot neighborhood
Paying obeisance: A Barot man performs rituals earlier than the Vanshavali, a file of thecommunity’s historical past, in Ahmedabad.
Night time of hymns: A gaggle of males render songs forward of the garba efficiency on the Saduma Temple
Tiny steps: There’s no age bar on who can take part. A younger boy from the neighborhood will get decked up at his residence for the dance.
Holding the religion: Bangles adorn the palms of a Barot man as he will get prepared for the ritual on Navratri Ashtami to hunt blessings for peace and prosperity locally.
Sari and tales: Males of the Barot neighborhood step out of their homes sporting ladies’s apparel as a part of a centuries-old custom for the garba on Navratri Ashtami
Pitching in: Girls assist Barot males prepare for the occasion that retains alive the story of Saduma. This 12 months, some males from outdoors the neighborhood additionally took half within the garba at Ahmedabad
Turning curse to customized: Wearing finery, Barot males sing, clap and twirl in the course of the garba in Saduma’s reminiscence.
Annual atonement: A younger boy from the neighborhood performs rituals at Saduma Temple.
Handed down: A person and youngster sit up for becoming a member of the dance
Printed – October 05, 2025 08:54 am IST
