Anna Maheshwari

Schoolcraft College’s Asian Students Association will present Navratri Garba on Saturday, October 8, from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Vistatech Center. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Children 5 and younger are free.

Navratri is a Hindu festival that takes place over nine nights. The word “Navratri” is a conjunction of the two words “nava” (meaning “nine”) and “ratri” (meaning “night”). This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known variously as Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba and Chandika.

Garba is one of the dance forms. Dandiya Raas, from the state of Gujarat, is a popular dance form as well.

Navratri customs include:

During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities among Hindu people.
Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worship Goddess Durga Maa.
Mother Goddess is seen as personification of strength, courage, knowledge, wealth, art, fertility and love.
Water, mango leaves, rice, coconut, betel leaves, haldi, kumkum and ritual fire (aarti) all help celebrate the supreme mother and her divinity.

You can purchase advance tickets for Navratri Garba from:

Schoolcraft College Student Activities Office (lower level of Vistatech Center)
Call 734-462-4422

Taj Cottage
8429 Grand River Avenue, Farmington Hills, 48335
Call Rachna Chandra, 734-620-4933

The ticket includes an Indian dinner catered by Suvai and live music by Kuldip Bhatt. Indian clothes and jewelry will be available for purchase as well.

All proceeds will go toward the Schoolcraft Student Food Pantry, a program that is dedicated to providing non-perishable food items to students and their families who are impacted by financial hardship.

Our thanks to Dr. Anna Maheshwari, Chair of the English Department, for her assistance with this story.

Spring carnival will have merchandise, food and more

If you’re looking for something new this Memorial Day weekend, consider attending Basant Bahaar Mela 2022, presented by Schoolcraft College’s Asian Students Association, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, in the DiPonio Room in the VisTaTech Center on the main campus.

All are welcome to this free (no admission charge), family-friendly event, which will provide a fun and immersive cultural experience.

Basant Bahaar Mela can be loosely translated to “Spring Fair” or “Spring Carnival.” Guests can shop for clothing, jewelry and home décor from area small businesses. Food will be available for purchase as well, and there will be music, games and face painting for children. A fashion show and dance performances are scheduled as well.

“The pandemic has put a huge strain on small businesses, so we want to support them by hosting them at Schoolcraft College,” said Dr. Anna Maheshwari, Chair, English Department. “Basant Bahaar Mela 2022 will provide a great way for the Schoolcraft community to experience this fun event and shop while enjoying delicious food while showcasing our College.”

Proceeds will benefit the Schoolcraft Food Pantry.

Photo 1: Guests can purchase food at Basant Bahaar Mela 2022, which is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, May 28, in the DiPonio Room in the VisTaTech Center on the main campus.
Photo 2: Jewelry and other items from area small businesses will be available at Basant Bahaar Mela 2022, which is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, May 28, in the DiPonio Room in the VisTaTech Center on the main campus.