BY MAHADEV DESAI 

After winning the 1st Place trophy in the Regional FOGANA Competition in Charlotte, NC, in June 2005, the winning team competed in the 2005 FOGANA Competition held in New Jersey’s India Performance Arts Center, on September 4, and emerged triumphant once again!

Considering that 35 top Regional Teams with 650 participants took part in the fierce competition, this feat is all the more laudable.

The volunteer teachers and choreographers Hetal Patel and Jeepsi Patel deserve accolades for putting the garba troupe of 16 girls, under rigorously disciplined practice and rehearsals.

Away from the limelight, team of Parents and volunteers helped the girls with their travel arrangements, accommodation and sightseeing.

The Atlanta team, with its scintillating, and riveting Garbo, gam ne padar medo jamyo. The fast paced folk-dance by the team, attired in traditional chaniya-choli costumes, hands decorated with mehndi, faces adorned with jewelry and hair with venis, befitting Gujarati-belles, evoked memories of exuberant outdoor garbas performed in Gujrat’s villages. The high octane garbo grew faster and faster with synchronized patterns accompanied by loud drum beats and singing which reached a crescendo as the garbo climaxed and received a thunderous ovation for its outstanding performance from the packed hall. 

For the Atlanta girls, winning the trophy was not all. They got an opportunity to travel away from home in a group and spend three days in New Jersey, networking with other girls, forging bonds of friendship, and also exploring a new place.

The Competition was widely televised by TV Asia during first week of October.

Jubilant spokesperson for the Atlanta Team, Varshaben Patel, congratulated the winning team-Aekta Patel, Ayesha Patel,Bianca Desai, Jayna Patel, Keya Patel, Karishma Amin, Mili Chauhan, Neshima Patel, Paris Patel, Priya Patel, Priyanka Patel, Priya Malhotra, Sabrina Patel, Shivany Bhakta, Sonam Patel and Tulsi Patel. “It is not about winning. The Competition gives them an opportunity to showcase their budding talents, and boost their confidence by performing in presence of a large audience. It will inspire them to accomplish even better things in life. I would also like to thank our sponsor Bina and Bharat Desai for sponsoring air-travel to New Jersey.”and Horizon Bank for Regional Travel.

Well done, FOGANA 2005 National Winners!