Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust – Cultural Events
Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust organises two main cultural events every year. Bhajan Competition and Garba Competition.
Garba Competition
A very colourful Garba Competition is held every year in the memory of Late Shree Bhagwanji Kalidas Patel of Dandi. The programme is sponsored by the family members Shree Shantubhai and Girishbhai Patel. Shree Shantubhai or his wife Shreemati Hansaben usually make it a point to travel to India from UK to attend this highly prestigious event in the calender of our Koli Patel Samaj in Navsari. In their absence Ramaben their sister presides. Each year an average of 40 villages take part. Prizes worth in the region of Rs. 40,000 are awarded each year to the winners, runner up and consolation prizes to the participant teams. The event is professionally judged by distinguished and knowledgeable persons in the field. This event is held at the Koli Patel Samaj Vadi in Navsari.
Garba is a most popular cultural event in the whole of Gujarat and every village has a Garba Group. And in a prestigious competition by Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust in Navsari each group dresses up in the most colourful costumes. Over 2000 people attend the whole day programme.
Our Appeal: The costumes are expensive. We invite you to help your village by offering them this cost when you next visit your Gam.
This popular cultural Ras Garba Competition program that has been held every year for the last 30 years. 35 to 40 villages take part and there is intense competition. Winning this competition is a great achievement for the village. A number of sponsors have been involved over the years. For the last several years Dharmeshbhai and Bharatbhai have been sponsoring in memory of their father Lare Shree Bhimbhai G Patel.
Bhajan Competition
Since 1986 Bhajan Competition has been sponsored by Shree Hirabhai Valabhai and family in the memory of Late Mrs Valiben, wife of Shree Hirabhai. Each year an average of 40 villages take part. Prizes worth in the region of Rs. 50,000 are awarded each year to the winners and consolation prizes to the participant teams. This event is held at the Koli Patel Samaj Vadi in Navsari. A few years ago a collection of all the Bhajans sung at these competition were published in a booklet and distributed.
Every village has at least one (and quite often three or four) Bhajan Mandals. These Mandals are a medium of character building and popular entertainment.
Our Appeal: Once again you can help encourage your local village Mandal by supplying them with Harmonium, Tabla, Manjira etc. Please do check out and help when you are next in the Gam.
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Bhajanotsav is another annual competition. For the last 31 years Shree Hirabhai Vala Patel of Bori Falia, Onjal has been sponsor in memory of his wife Late Mrs. Valiben Hirabhai.
Here are a few pictures from the 2015 followed by the 2016 program.
