As part of my CAS experience I took part in the school’s garba fest as a guest.Ever since I was little,I have loved navratri mainly because it brings a sense of togetherness and it allowed me to express my creativity through dance which makes me more connected to my gujaratri roots.Throughout the event I tried to balance enjoying myself while staying synchronised with others since garba is done in a group,this made it both fun and challenging.
I have been attending Garba fest for the past 2 years and I noticed a big difference in how confident and skilled I have become. This years I was ablce to follow more complex steps and join different circles easily which made by experience even more enjoyable.
Learning outcomes :
LO1- Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Through this activity, I recognised my strengths in rhythm, coordination and stamina, which I have developed through years of playing garba. I became aware of how much my dancing confidence and pace improved after performing at the Fest. However, this experience also highlighted areas where I can grow further. When new and faster Garba styles were introduced, I occasionally found it challenging to adjust immediately. This showed me that while I have improved, I still need to work on flexibility and my ability to adapt quickly to changing dance patterns. Recognising this helped me set a personal goal to continue practicing different Garba forms and strengthen my quick reaction skills for future events.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
Performing Garba in a large group requires synchronisation. It was a bit challenging to stay perfectly in rhythm with others; one wrong move can disturb the flow. Initially, I hesitated to join the circle where the steps/dance were unfamiliar to me; however, instead of giving up, I observed closely and tried to imitate the moves.Through this experience I developed the ability to adapt quickly and learn visually.I also learned to stay confident and composed and focus more on progress than perfection. This made me realise that challenges are growth opportunities.
LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experiences
Participating actively in Garba Fest required dedication and consistent effort. Even though the long sessions were physically tiring, I stayed motivated because of how much I enjoy the dance and its energy. Garba is a meaningful cultural and personal tradition that I look forward to every year. While school events like the Fest only happen occasionally, I make it a point to participate in Garba during Navratri celebrations outside of school as well. This ongoing involvement shows my commitment to staying active while also celebrating my culture. Taking part again this year and noticing my own improvement made me realise how consistent effort, practice, and enthusiasm can truly lead to personal growth.
Overall, participating in the Garba Fest was a meaningful and enjoyable CAS experience that allowed me to celebrate my culture while learning more about myself. Through this activity, I strengthened several important skills such as open-minded, balanced and communicative learner profile. Communicator because I interacted with other people and synchronised through rhythm and body language to maintain smooth flow; open-minded because I actively participated in cultural practices that is valued by many in my community. Engaging in this event helped me understand and respect the cultural significance while also learning a new style of dancing. I also developed a balanced LP because the event encouraged physical activity, dancing actively needs energy, while actively communicating and interacting with others(social skills).
