Bollywood music blasting, vibrant lehengas twirling, and the aroma of Indian snacks permeating the school, students gathered in the cafeteria for a Garba held by Westwood South Asian Student Association (SASA) and Hindu Yuva on Friday, Nov. 10.

Garba, an essential part of Navratri, a 9-day Hindu festival, is a celebratory dance form where participants move in a circular pattern while utilizing Dandiya sticks to worship God. 

Over 150 attendees came together from a variety of schools in the Austin area, including Rouse High School, Vista Ridge High School, and Leander High School. This corroborated a community by enabling students to meet new faces through celebrating familiar and integral aspects of their culture. 

“It was surreal meeting and spending time with a community of people at Westwood and other schools who all came to celebrate our culture, no matter their background,” Tanvi Reddy ’25 said. 

But to some, it was more than just the annual celebration — it was an opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture. 

“It was my first time going to Garba, and it was so fun,” Awa-Susan Currier ’25 said. “I felt lost at first, but everyone was really welcoming and guided me.”  

Being the first Garba held by Westwood, this event was a cause for new traditions. With a new officer team, SASA President Shrishti Mahajan ’25 had fresh ideas to revamp the ideologies and implementations of the organization. 

“This year, SASA’s focus is on fostering a strong South Asian community, not just at Westwood but in our city,” Mahajan said. “Hosting fun events such as Garba brings the community together while celebrating our culture.” 

Collaborating with Hindu Yuva, a club dedicated to educating members about Hindu culture, both officer teams worked tirelessly to plan the event. 

“Bringing on the Hindu Yuva team to help us was a great addition to this event,” Mahajan said. “We had multiple planning and logistic meetings leading up to Garba Night, and we were able to pull off such a big event that we hope to make a tradition.”