Raas

Raas is a traditional folk dance form from Gujarat, India, commonly performed during the Navaratri festival. The term is often used alongside Garba to describe the sequence of dances held in the evenings, contributing to a festive, social atmosphere. Raas encompasses circle dances performed by groups of participants, emphasizing rhythm, coordination, and communal celebration. A prominent variant is Dandiya Raas, in which dancers carry paired wooden sticks called dandiya and strike them in time with the music and claps, creating a distinctive percussive sound.

Performance contexts typically include outdoor spaces or large indoor venues, with music drawn from Gujarati folk traditions. Songs are usually in Gujarati or regional languages, accompanied by percussion instruments such as the dhol and nagara, along with rhythmic clapping and vocal accompaniment. Traditional costumes feature women in colorful chaniya cholis or sarees with mirrors and embroidery, and men in kediyos with dhotis or trousers, often complemented by turbans.

Cultural significance of Raas lies in its role as a community activity that promotes social interaction, cultural continuity, and festive expression during Navaratri. The practice has spread beyond Gujarat through the Gujarati diaspora, where it adapts to local venues and musical influences while preserving core steps and motifs. See also Garba, Dandiya, Raas Leela.