Here, revellers pen their feelings on violence against women on mango tree

Vadodara: One of the first things that women at the Laxmi Vilas Palace (LVP) Heritage Garba do is walk up to a huge mango tree at the venue. They pick a piece of paper, pen their feelings about violence against women , and hang it on the tree called ‘ Bolto Ambo ' (speaking mango tree). The initiative has been taken up by the organisers to encourage women to speak against violence or share their own experiences.

Hundreds of women have pasted notes about violence on the tree in the last four days. "Bolto Ambo serves as a living testament to the voices of women, offering participants of the garba a chance to share their definitions of violence. As dancers move to the rhythm of traditional music, they pause to pen their thoughts on leaves, adorning the tree with their perspectives and experiences," said Radhikaraje Gaekwad, vice-president of Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya, which took the initiative.

"Each year, the tree will lend its voice to a different cause related to women in India, evolving into a living chronicle of the journey towards equality. The initiative is generating interest among the women revellers at our venue," said Jayant Bhokare, a member of LVP Heritage Garba's core committee. The organisers have also tied up with the SHE team of the city police department for this initiative.

The organisers said that cultural events like garba can act as a platform to address social issues. Last year, LVP garba organisers had taken up the theme of inclusivity for the.