Navratri holds a sacred space in the hearts of millions, blending deep-rooted religious devotion with unmatched collective joy. For Dharti Bhatt, who essays the role of Rupa in Sony SAB and Neela Film Production’s iconic, long-running show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, the festival is much more than a seasonal celebration—it is a heartfelt return to her cultural roots, cherished childhood memories, and the vibrant camaraderie of her larger onscreen family at Gokuldham Society.
For Dharti, the essence of Navratri stems from the simple, unscripted moments of her upbringing in Ahmedabad and the deep-seated spiritual connection she shares with Mataji. “Being a Gujarati, Navratri has always been very close to my heart. In Ahmedabad, my mother and I used to go to the society, pray to Ambe Maa, light diyas, etc. Every preparation we did gave a different feel. Childhood Garba was pure with a different feel—Mataji’s stuti, aarti, dressing up, meeting people.”
Reflecting on the evolution of Garba today versus the pure, traditional style of her childhood, Dharti shares how her heart still belongs to free-flowing, unchoreographed dance. “Honestly speaking, I like doing free dancing. When it comes to Garba, there are a lot of steps as per the trend. I need to learn it to master it. There are people who learn steps beforehand. When I was in Ahmedabad, we used to do free Garba with all our hearts. That was a different vibe doing Garba around Mataji. As a Gujarati, when there is dhol and music, my legs will start moving. Garba is more about energy and happiness.”
She recalls a memorable visit to a massive ground in Mumbai where trendy, intricate routines took centre stage. “There are a lot of Garba songs that I like. Dholida is nice. I love Falguni Pathak’s Garba songs from childhood. We had been to a ground in Mumbai for Garba. We did not find a place to perform as people were so involved in their steps. We saw them and enjoyed. We do not know the fancy and trendy Garba. We did our simple Garba.”
Festivals on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah mirror the warmth, unity, and cultural grandeur depicted in Gokuldham Society on screen. Under the visionary guidance of producer Asit Kumarr Modi, celebrations are treated with profound religious respect and scale, bringing the entire cast and crew together as a closely knit family. “Honestly, Navratri is very special. And being part of TMKOC is a blessed feeling. Gokuldham Society brings us together through all the festivals’ happiness and sorrow. It creates wonderful memories with the team.”
