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This historical WGC (World Gujarati Conference) event was hosted and organised by AIANA, to celebrate the journey of Gujaratis. The event took place from 1st to 3rd September 2006.
Maher Raas Group (Leicester)
Maher Rass Group is made up of 14 players. Who performs our 3 Cultural Dances; Dandia Raas, Dhal Talvar Raas & Eshiyad Raas.
MRG has performed at various events in the UK, including at Newbury Race course. However their most proud occasion was when Maher Raas Group performed outdoor in front of over 20,000 people at Diwali Lights switch ON at Melton Road, Leicester last year (2005).
This was the first time that MRG has performed outside UK.
Three different types of Rass are: –
Dandia Raas – This Raas is performed with small sticks known as Dandias, made out of wooden about 2ft long. Raas is played with music, which includes Dhol (drum), Sarnai (Clarinet), Harmonium, Singer singing Religious Song. This Raas includes various different moves, which includes lots of spinning moves, jumping about 3 feet above ground etc. All 14 players carry all of the moves out simultaneously. The costumes we wear for this Raas is Plain White clothes, Turban, Red Band going across the chest and back, small necklace made out of gold plated beads. Maher Community men only wear these clothes.
Dhal Talvar Raas – This Raas is performed with Aluminum Swords (with Blunt edges) and Aluminum Shields. Similar Music as above with same musical instruments is played but this time the singer is singing songs about war and how Maher Community solders fought in war and how they claimed victory. Clothes are very similar to the ones mentioned above. When we are performing this Raas it is very similar to attack and defense in battlefield again with lots of spinning, jumping etc.
Eshiyad Raas – This Raas is performed with small colored wooden sticks, similar to ones used in “Dandiya Raas”. With this Raas the music is lot faster using same instruments as mentioned above but have more beats in the music. The clothes are very different to the ones we wear in “Dandiya Raas & Dhal Talvar Raas”. These clothes have lots of vibrant colors on them and have handcrafted colorful hat and waistcoat.
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They have performed at many different occasions across UK: –
3 performances in Luton
2 performances in Hayes
4 performances in Northampton
12 performances in Leicester
2 performances in Loughborough
1 performance in Newbury Race course
1 performance in New Jersey (USA)
And many more local performances.
Names of the Players :
Dilip Keshwala
Partap Modhwadia
Hitesh Godhaniya
Jayesh Godhania
Jaymal Godhania
Nilesh Gorania
Kishor Karavadra
Prahlad Odedra
Prakash Modhwadia
Lakhanshi Karavadra
Hamir Odedra
Bharat Sindhal
Ram Modhwadia
Mayur Modhwadia
Ram Godhania
Lakhu Godhania
Mandanbhai Odedra
Nathabhai Odedra
Devasibhai Karavadra
For more information please contact Laxman – 0790 303 8646 or Dilip – 0774 870 1437