Lack of sponsors, restrictive parking regulations, concerns about rain are some of the reasons fewer professional garba events are being organized with every passing year in Ahmedabad. So far, the city police have received close to 35 applications to organise community garbas, as opposed to the 55 last year. The applications have been dwindling over the past five years. "Sponsorship has been very poor," said Himanshu Shah, chief mentor of Soi Live Marketing and Events, one of the pioneers of 'Party Plot Garbas'. "We used to get sponsors based on personal relations, but that too has shrunk now." The first Party Plot Garba was in 1996 and continued annually till 2017. In 2018, Soi stopped organising the event independently and began partnering with clubs — first the YMCA and then Blue Lagoon. "Earlier, sponsors set aside huge budgets for Navratri," he said. "Of late they have been more prudent and linking spending with returns on investment." Earlier, paan-gutkha manufacturers, telecom companies, soft drink companies, auto dealers and realtors would to chip in for the sponsorship. Unlike Surat or Vadodara, Ahmedabad does not have the culture of selling passes or tickets for garba events, Shah says. "People will spend money on movie tickets, but not on Navratri events. Ticket income only make up only 10% of the revenue," Himanshu laments. Where’s The Garba Tonight? Police say they have received only 35 applications to organise community garbas, as opposed to last year’s 55 Lack of sponsors makes organisers reel under costs incurred by security personnel, CCTV cameras, artistes Stricter parking regulations have shrunk dance floors and thus number of attendees Meghal Shah, another pioneer of commercial garbas in the city, said he too has stayed away from organizing events for past couple of years. High operating costs, reduced hours for festivities and other regulations have made the business inviable. "The budget for sound and light system has increased from Rs 25 lakh to over Rs 60 lakh. Artistes have also raised their fees, and there are additional costs for installing CCTV cameras, security for women. On the other hand, increased regulations for parking have shrunk the dance floor space, so income has shrunk," said Meghal. Two major clubs — Karnavati and Rajpath — whose garbas were a huge draw, not allow only members because of restricted parking space. Earlier, they would also outsource the event to professional garba organizers. "Our event is only open for members and we have passes for their guests. We have to cap it at 3,000 dancers as we have limited space," said Anil Shah, director of Rajpath Club. Amrish Patel, chairman of the entertainment committee at Karnavati Club said that they will cater to close to 3,500 members and their guests, again, due to limited parking space. He is also afraid that the rain could dampen enthusiasm on the first three nights. Krishnakant Jha, president of the Cultural Forum that organises garbas in Gandhinagar, is unaffected with the market trend. The garba is in its 25th year. "We are not motivated by profit," he said. "We just want families to enjoy in a wholesome and religious environment. Things are difficult, but we are getting sponsorship from small business owners. We are able to garner footfall of 25,000 dancers, which gives the sponsors visibility." They have been able to procure a larger space than last year for the festivities this year, and allot even more spots for parking. Navratri begins from Sunday, September 29.

Stay updated with all the Ahmedabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.