As a multi racial country, India enjoys the luxury of having innumerable festivals. Over the years, most of these festivals have been reduced to an obligation. However, there's one festival when people of any caste or creed thoroughly enjoy themselves. That auspicious festival is Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu festival of worship and dance. The word Navratri itself means nine nights in Sanskrit. During these days, nine forms of female divinity are worshipped. The pujas are followed by dandiya - the sword dance.

For the youth, rituals and legends don't matter. The only thing that they want is to dance with their dear ones for ten full days.

Our telly stars don't always have the luxury of celebrating a festival with their family. In fact, these festivals get incorporated into their shows. Thus it implies that the actors can't be themselves while enacting such episodes. Dandiya is all about shedding your inihibtions and simply moving your body. Our poor actors have to get each of their steps right while doing dandiya in their serials.

Our reporter Mayur Lookhar spoke to few telly stars and asked them the difference in dancing before the camera and off it.

Ketki Dave: There was no Sankalp or Prerna during our days. I would perform with my friends from theatre. I belong to South Mumbai, where we had various maidans (grounds) hosting dandiya. There weren't many people then so we had ample space to dance. You don't find that in a populous city today.

I enjoy playing dandiya in soaps. I first experienced it in the early years of KyunKi Saas.. We used to have numerous retakes but it was fun.

Stage Shows: This year, I'm planning to celebrate Navratri by performing in a stage shows at Indore.

Rucha Gujarati: When I was in college (Mithibai), I was called the 'dandiya queen' across Borivili, Kandivali and Malad. I've participated in various shows. I've reached the finals on many a occasion and have even bagged the winner's price. I used to begin my preparations a month before the D-day. I would never buy a readymade Ghagra choli but rather have them stitched.

For the past two years, I've been performing in USA. Before that, I danced in my show Bhabhi. Dancing in a soap was no way near to those good old days. By the time I used to wind my shoot, there was no time left for me to attend any stage show. Also, I didn't enjoy the numerous retakes in the show.

Now that I'm free from all soaps, I'll be performing in a stage show.

Nimisha Vakharia: Before entering Tellywood, I used to regularly perform at various stage shows. I've won the best dancer award on numerous occasions. These awards have been conferred upon me by Times group and Mid-Day. When I was pregnant, I begged my family to take me to a venue. I couldn't dance but derived great pleasure in watching others tap their feet.

Whether it's at Sankalp or in a soap, I simply love dancing. Where there's music my feet begin to move automatically. We'll be having a special Navratri episode for Teen Bahuraniyan. Last year, we had invited Falguni Pathak on our show. This year, we'll be celebrating at Kanjurmarg. We have started our rehearsals.

Stage Shows: Attending stage shows is next to impossible. I'm acting in two soaps, so it leaves no time to go anywhere else. I was invited at Pune for a special function for HIV affected children. However, I won't be able to attend it.

Deven Bhojani: I've never been interested in playing dandiya. It was only as a kid that I visited such stage shows. I've always been very uncomfortable dancing in my serials. However, I've never felt it as a burden.

Stage Shows: Every year people invite me to perform in their shows but I restrict my participation to being the chief guest only. One doesn't have to try too hard for it.

After all, all you need to do is say a few words. This year I've received invitations from Aurangabad, Gujarat, Bhopal and Indore. I'm just weighing my options based on who'll provide me with the fattest cheque.