MUMBAI: The nine-day festival of Navratra that starts on Tuesday has spawned an entire entertainment industry which appears to reap the profits of working merely a week in the year. However, the investment and preparation that go into the event are intense. The Ghatkopar Gujarati Samaj has struck a high pitch in its 16th year by signing Falguni Pathak for Rs 1.50 crore. “Preparations are complete, the wooden flooring has been laid at the Police Parade Ground and Falguni will rehearse on Monday,” says organizer Jignesh Khilani. “Given the crowds she draws, we have increased the presence of female security guards this season.” A season ticket sells for Rs 3,000 while a single ticket on the weekend will cost Rs 1,000. Organizers of commercial garba events carry out the ‘bhoomipujan’ ceremony before installing the stage and starting rehearsal. Singer Preeti of the Preeti-Pinky duo says, “Preparations for Navratra begin after Anant Chaturdashi, which coincides with the start of the ‘shraddh’ period. As a rule, no auspicious works are undertaken during these two weeks leading up to Navratra, but since we must get on with stage management and rehearsals, we sanctify the area with a bhoomipujan ceremony.” The sisters will perform at Pushpanjali grounds in Borivli. “We have been singing on stage since we were little children, I’d say seven years old, yet the challenge of keeping spectators entertained keeps us on our toes. We will begin rehearsals from October 13. These days one must be mindful to create a fresh playlist and make sure to not repeat too many numbers from the previous year,” says Preeti. Not just the lead singers, dance enthusiasts too are putting their costumes in order and fine-tuning their dance steps. A dress rehearsal was held at Kapolwadi in Malad on Saturday afternoon where learners arrived for the litmus test. They were students of young Hardik Mehta who runs Raasleela dance school. He says, “Some have been training since July, others took a crash course in the last three days. Many were keen on dancing the garba but were afraid of looking clumsy. We set their fears at rest and taught them basic and advanced steps not just for garba but on Hindi film songs as well. Now they twirl effortlessly and quickly modify their steps with as change in the beat of songs.” Hardik himself rose from the ranks of garba dancers and found his calling at Shiamak Davar’s institute. His team member Vidhi Mavani says, “I’d say 95% of those who have enrolled at our school are Gujaratis, followed by a few Marwaris. Part of the training includes getting them to manage heavily embroidered ghaghra cholis and the kedia and yet appear graceful under the glare of TV cameras.”