Kinjal Dave, a popular folk singer from a village near the Patan border in Gujarat, has set the stage for a fierce competition for the title of ‘Dandiya Queen’ with her Navratri performances. In a candid interview with mid-day, the 23-year-old says she despises comparisons to veteran Navratri performer Falguni Pathak, whom she calls an inspiration.
Dave has captured the hearts of Mumbai with her popular song ‘Garbe Ramvane’ and other foot-tapping songs performed for the city’s ongoing Navratri festival. Dave told mid-day exclusively that she feels like she’s performing in her home state of Gujarat when she’s in Mumbai, but she despises being compared to veteran Navratri performer Falguni Pathak, whom she considers an inspiration.What do you prefer, Mumbai or Gujarat? Where is your heart?
In my debut show in Mumbai, I received so much affection and overwhelming response that it felt like I was performing in my home state Gujarat. There’s a famous line in Gujarat: Jya Jya Vase Ek Gujarati, Tya Tya Sadakal Gujarat (Wherever a Gujarati lives, there is Gujarat forever) It is from a poem by veteran Parsi poet Ardeshar Faramji Khabardar, who wrote under the pen name Adal.