Disco Dandiya........Article

Durga Puja isn't the only Navratri party in town ' there's dandiya, too! Dandiotsav at Nicco Park, with t2 as partner, was "a rocking show". A packed podium saw footfalls running into thousands every day with Saptami seeing the maximum crowd count of 15,000. The celebrity draws of the event from September 25 to 28 included small screen stars like Karan Singh Grover, Arjun Bijlani, Kritika Kamra, Karan Kundra, Vishal Karwal, Karan Mehra and more. Salman Khan was expected but chose to stay away "because of security concerns". Instead, the Wanted star arrived (but didn't play) at a football match at Mohammedan Sporting Ground. "Next year, we will organise a big dance area for the audience too, not just for the artistes. We will also try and uplift traditional dandiya," promised joint organiser Sudhir Satnaliwala of Dandiotsav.

Heartthrob Karan Singh Grover does the bhangra

Karan Mehra of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai with Nisha Rawal, who acted with Jimmy Sheirgill in Hastey Hastey

Vishal karwal, winner of Splitsvilla 1 (in checked shirt) with joint event organiser DJ Ravi

Kritika Kamra and Karan Kundra of Kitani Mohabbat Hai fame

Arjun Bijlani who plays Mayank in Miley Jab Hum Tum

Hina khan from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai waves at the crowd

Joanna Magee (LEFT) and Mohit MalhotrA, finalists of Splitsvilla 2

Thousands spent their nights dancing to Bollywood beats and garba music from Saptami to Navami at Dandiya Mahaotsav 2009, in association with t2, at Swabhumi. The partying began early with revellers trooping in as early as 7pm. While 6,000 people danced with the stars on Saptami night, Navami night saw footfalls skyrocket to 16,000!

And why wouldn't they? While Hina Khan (Akshara) of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai danced with the crowds and put up a special performance to the title track, the sultry Joanna Magee of Splitsvilla 2 fame raised temperatures by shaking her booty to Shakira's Hips Don't Lie. Petite and pretty Avika Gor (Anandi) of Balika Vadhu grooved to songs from Wanted while MTV hot bod VJ Rannvijay shook a leg to songs from London Dreams. Dashami night also saw a performance by the winners from India's Got Talent.
And if one was tired of dancing, there were special "chilling zones" to take a break with cool games and lucky prizes. To keep energy levels up, there was cola flowing and food from Gangaur to gorge on. What a party!