As Mumbai gears up for the 7th edition of Rangilo Re, Nesco Events’ flagship Navratri celebration, the spotlight falls on the anchor who has become synonymous with the festival’s energy and charm—Drashti Vajar, featured in the Entertainers Connect Handbook 2025, launched at WOW Awards Asia 2025. Serving as the emcee for the fifth consecutive edition, Drashti has brought her signature blend of classical dance, storytelling, and audience engagement to nine exhilarating nights of Garba, held at Nesco’s spacious, air-conditioned indoor venue. With almost 175,000 attendees in 2024, Rangilo Re has grown into a cultural institution, and Drashti’s vibrant presence has played a pivotal role in making it a celebration of tradition, artistry, and unity.
We caught up with Drashti to understand her journey, creative process, and insights into hosting one of Mumbai’s most iconic Navratri experiences.
Q. Drashti, you’ve built an impressive career in anchoring and hosting major events—how did an iconic, culturally rich celebration like Rangilo Re come onto your journey?
Wow! This brings back memories of Gujarati Jalso, where I was awarded the title of Miss Gujarati in 2014. While I had already established myself as an anchor for live events, including weddings and corporate functions. In addition, I performed as a classical dancer in national award-winning shows such as Gandhi before Gandhi, Sathwaro Shri Radheshyam No 2, and others. My talents and skills were acknowledged by the organizers of Gujarati Jalso, including the esteemed Parthiv Gohil, who invited me to host the curtain raiser for his upcoming Navratri event – RANGILO RE at Nesco! The curtain raiser was a resounding success, leading to an offer for me to host the entire season of Rangilo Re, and since that moment, there has been no looking back!
Q. You’ve hosted Rangilo Re for four consecutive editions. What keeps drawing you back to this iconic Navratri celebration year after year?
I must be doing something right there! Well, The Stage is my world! Events that showcase our rich Indian culture and heritage, combined with a fusion of live events, allow me to blend seamlessly into such environments! I did not merely take my role as the emcee of Rangilo Re; with each passing year, I have contributed to curating my scripts and deliverables to engage audience members, celebrity guests, and judges. As a classical and folk dancer myself, I could not resist the opportunity to curate special performances, storytelling, and vibrant costumes. I believe my experience has been immensely beneficial to me & team at Nesco has been a great support throughout!
Q. Hosting nine nights of Garba is no small feat—how do you prepare for such marathon events, both on stage and behind the scenes?
To be completely truthful, I begin to mentally register every small detail that I find beneficial months prior to the actual project. When we convene as a team, I appreciate that the decision-makers include me in this endeavor. We exchange our valuable insights with one another, and as an emcee, I am granted full freedom to integrate my ideas and engagement to lead the event as their official host.
This year, we developed some unique content and recorded an enjoyable candid podcast with Parthiv Bhai! From a mental standpoint, the preparations commence months ahead of the show, and the entire process of designing vibrant costumes is crucial. I place significant emphasis on my appearance, looks, and outfits even as an emcee, as these elements greatly influence my storytelling, including the color themes, rituals, traditions, coutures, and weaves—everything matters!
I tend to channelize my energy inwards, and that helps me stay focused during the 9 days of Navratri, come rain or shine! The demanding schedule, from 4 PM to 4 AM, is undeniably hectic but incredibly enjoyable, and during those nine nights, I wholeheartedly embrace the hustle culture!
Q. Costumes play a big role in your stage presence. Can you share the creative process behind designing your Radha-inspired look and how it enhanced both your performance and engagement with the audience?
Throughout my theatre career, I have had the opportunity to embody a wide range of characters, from Maha-Kaali to Meera Bai. I embraced the look of Shiva with Trinetra (Third Eye) as one of my looks previously! Last year, while serving as the official Emcee for Rangilo Re, I chose to take on the role of “Radha,” challenging the conventional notion of fair skin & breaking stereotypes….. This look has garnered significant praise & has become a remarkable success.
Here’s a Dream Come True: The Making of RADHA
Q. After hosting Rangilo Re for four editions, what are your biggest learnings about engaging the audience and bringing cultural stories to life as an emcee?
Goes without saying,
1. The preparations – research the day’s theme, its purpose, to craft a well-informed script and stay prepared for any eventuality!
2. Audience engagement – by now I know what works well for my audiences at Rangilo Re, curating similar engagement activities for them.
3. Most importantly, maintaining composure come what may!
4. It’s thrilling to manage last-minute changes, unavoidable technicalities at times, a costume malfunction, tripping on stage—I have witnessed it all!
Key lessons also include creating a positive and energetic vibe to set the event’s tone, mastering time management to keep the program on track, and cultivating calmness and confidence to handle unexpected situations and build audience rapport.
Q. Looking ahead, are there any new ideas, themes, or experiences you hope to bring as an anchor in upcoming editions of Rangilo Re or similar cultural events?
Absolutely, I flourish in such events; I am consistently eager to learn and integrate new concepts aligned with current market trends—ideas that cater to all age demographics. As a dedicated and supportive team member to the entire cast and crew of this event, I eagerly anticipate another exciting year! We are undoubtedly aiming for a larger and more impressive experience. Why not join us to witness the grandeur of Navratri in Mumbai’s largest air-conditioned dome, featuring the remarkable Parthiv Gohil and his team?
From her meticulous preparations to her creative costumes, Drashti Vajar embodies the spirit of Rangilo Re, transforming it into more than just a festival—it becomes an immersive celebration of culture, music, and unity. With every passing edition, she continues to raise the bar for emceeing in India, leaving audiences inspired and energized long after the last Garba beat fades.
