Grabbed the opportunity to perform in Ahmedabad this Navratri: Geeta Rabari

While Geeta Rabari is a name synonymous with garbas, she never got the chance to perform live in Ahmedabad during Navratri in all these years. However, that is set to change, and she is in a happy space. The Galgoto Me Zukine Lidho and Tetudo singer, famous for her tran taali garba songs, is just back from her pre-Navratri performances in the US. Geeta, who will be performing in Ahmedabad during Navratri for the first time, says, “Usually, I am always travelling during the pre-Navratri period. But this year, for the first time, I came back to India five days before Navratri. So, I grabbed this opportunity to perform in Ahmedabad.”

‘I try to add some hip-hop music to traditional garbas’
Geeta, who is known as Kutch Ni Koyal, likes to mix traditional garba songs with new age music like hip-hop. Describing how the garbas have changed over the years, she says, “I try to add some hip-hop music to the traditional garbas. It gives a new tune and twist to the existing garbas and that is what the Gen Z garba enthusiasts prefer.”
However, she does this only while performing in India. She explains, “When we talk about garba abroad, they prefer very old, traditional garbas. Through Navratri, they like to connect to their roots in India and so, they don’t prefer very modern tunes or songs.”

‘I love reds and blues, and prefer to keep my look breezy’
Geeta, who is also known for her traditional looks, says she discusses her outfits with designers, since she is very choosy. “I always wear my traditional look while performing a dayro or garba abroad because that is what the audience expects from me. But while I am performing in India, I love experimenting with my looks. I love reds and blues and try to keep my look breezy, since I have to perform for many hours at a stretch,” she says.
‘Around Navratri, my food habits are very basic’
For someone who performs for hours on stage, Geeta isn’t too picky about food. She says, “I love eating different types of food. While travelling abroad, even if it is for work, I love trying out different cuisines. I eat pizzas, fries and whatever that country has to offer. But just before or around Navratri, my food habits are very basic and usually, I just have khichdi and non-fried food to keep my stamina up. I have been performing for many years now in different cities, so I am not very choosy when it comes to food.”