Page 33 - The Indian EYE 090525

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 05, 2025 | The Indian Eye 33

South Street Seaport Museum to Host

Navratri Celebration Aboard Historic Tall Ship Wavertree

OUR BUREAU and join in, whether seasoned danc-
ers or first-timers. Dandiya sticks—
New York, NY
an essential part of Garba dances—
he South Street Seaport Mu- will be provided in limited numbers,
seum is bringing the colors, with participants urged to bring their
Trhythms, and joy of Navratri own for the full experience.
to Lower Manhattan this fall with “This is a festival that welcomes
Navratri at the Seaport Museum, everyone,” the Museum noted in
a public Raas-Garba celebration its announcement. “It’s about joy,
aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree. rhythm, and community spirit, and
The event, organized in collaboration we’re excited to bring that to such a
with The Culture Tree, will be held on historic setting.”
Saturday, September 27, 2025, from The venue itself adds a unique
2–4 pm, making it one of the city’s South Asian communities have been with ports across the world, including dimension. Built in 1885 in South-
few open-access Navratri festivities. steadily shaping the city’s cultural New York. ampton, England, the iron-hulled
Navratri, which literally means fabric, such public celebrations are Following the introduction, the Wavertree circumnavigated the globe
“nine nights,” is one of Hindu- still rare. decks of Wavertree will come alive multiple times before retiring in the
ism’s most widely celebrated festi- Anu Sehgal, founder and CEO with Raas-Garba dance led by Sheh- early 20th century. Now preserved
vals, honoring the divine feminine of The Culture Tree, will launch the naaz Dance Academy. The acad- as part of the Seaport Museum’s
through music, dance, and devotion. afternoon program with an intro- emy’s dancers, dressed in vibrant “Street of Ships,” the vessel stands as
Traditionally observed with commu- duction to the festival and its signif- costumes, will guide participants a symbol of New York’s maritime his-
nity gatherings, dance circles, and icance. Sehgal will also highlight the through the energetic steps while DJ tory and global connections. Hosting
devotional songs, it is a time when historic ties between Wavertree and Tauba provides the pulsating beats Navratri aboard the ship draws a cul-
families and neighborhoods come India, a reminder of how maritime of traditional Gujarati music. Guests tural bridge between India’s rich tra-
together. In New York City, where trade once connected South Asia are encouraged to wear festive attire ditions and New York’s seafaring past.

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