Garadi, a popular folk dance of
Pondicherry, is performed during all festivals. The festivities usually continue for five to eight hours.
The dancers are masked as vanars (monkeys) and carry sticks in their hands. Vocal singing and Ramadolus (two big drums) are the accompaniments of this dance.
The major attraction is the iron rings called 'anjali', which dancers wear on their legs (ten on each leg). These rings make a melodious sound as the dancer proceeds.
Garadi is believed to have a purely mythological origin. Folklore says that when Lord Ram defeated Ravana then the vanars performed this dance to celebrate his victory.
