Gifted with its rich culture and traditions, Maharashtra has differing types of folk dance forms. Povada is the dance form that showcases the lifetime achievements of the Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj. Lavani and Koli’s dance forms entertain the Maharashtrians with their mesmerizing music and rhythmic movements.
Dhangri Gaja dance pays reference to their God by the Dhangars of Sholapur. Dindi and Kala are the religious folk dances, which express of spiritual ecstasy of Lord Krishna. Tamasha is the folk dance of Maharashtra that is so popular all over the state. It is said that dance is one of the best mediums through which you can express yourself. Tired of being a one-trick pony? Master the trixie tounge tricks in this easy guide – it’ll take less than 30 minutes!
So, what better thanks to knowing about the culture of the state than through exploring its various dance forms. The people of Maharashtra celebrate an outsized number of fairs and festivals and dancing, as an element of the celebration, maybe a feature that is common in almost all of them.
Aside from that, there is a variety of special occasions, like weddings, where dance makes an element of the festivity. during this article, we’ve provided information on the most popular folk dance of Maharashtra.
Popular Folk Dance of Maharashtra
1. Lavani
Lavani comprises the weather of both, a standard song, and folk dance. The dance was performed to the beats of ‘Dholak’, a drum like an instrument, mainly by women. it’s a wonder how these women, draped in heavy nine-yard saris, manage to perform the dance movements with such elegance.
Within the earliest days, the dance form was wont to highlight the various aspects of the society like religion, politics, romance, etc. within the 18th and 19th centuries, it came to perform to entertain also as motivate the tired soldiers of Maratha battle.
Today, it’s performed by people as a part of celebrations.
2. Koli Dance
Koli Dance, as the name suggests, was performed by the fishermen of Maharashtra – referred to as Kolis. Their colorful attire, cheerful personality, and distinct identity are considerably reflected in their dance form too.
The participants of this dance comprise both men and ladies, who were divided into two separate groups. one of the most popular movements in the Koli dance is that of the hand because it moves while rowing a boat. the opposite movements of the dance include the movements of waves and the casting of nets to catch fish.
3. Dhangari Gaja
Dhangars, the community of shepherds belonging to the Sholapur district of Maharashtra, is known for performing the Dhangari Gaja dance. Since their life mainly revolves around nature and its various forms, the poetry on which the dance is predicated reflects the same.
It’s made up of couplets, several of which contain the tales of the birth of their God ‘Biruba’ and are understood as ‘Ovi’. the most motive behind the performance of this dance is to appease the Gods.
The dancers in Dhangari Gaja are men, wearing Dhoti, Angarakha, Pheta and colorful handkerchiefs, performing to the beats of drums.
4. Povadas Dance
Povadas is especially a form of a ballad, which revolves around the incidents surrounding the life of the great Maharashtrian leader, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. the good ruler has always held a reverential position in the hearts of the Marathi people and even through these ballads; they seek to remember the great leader and his glorious life.
5. Tamasha
Tamasha, the word sense fun or entertainment, is the name given to the folk theater of Maharashtra. The dance form seems to possess influenced by several dance forms. Some scholars also believe it to reflect “Prahsana” and “Bhana” sorts of Sanskrit drama.
Tamasha especially performed on love songs known as ‘Lavanis’. most instruments used for providing betas are Dholki drum, ‘Tuntuni’ (a single string instrument), ‘Manjeera’ cymbals, ‘Daf’ (a tambourine-like instrument), ‘Halgi’ (smaller Daf), ‘Kade’ (a metal triangle), ‘Lejim’ (an instrument with a jangling sound), Harmonium & ‘Ghunghroos’ (ankle bells).
6. Dindi
Dindi is another folk dance of Maharashtra, which is performed on the Ekadashi day of the Hindu month of Kartik. The dance is predicated on Lord Krishna and his naughty, playful nature. it’s basically a devotional dance, performed to the beats of Dindi, a little drum. Dancers surround the musicians while performing the dance steps.
7. Kala
Another dance form that’s devoted to Lord Krishna is Kala. it’s also based on the mischievous and teasing attitude of the Lord. Dancers also make use of a prop while dancing, which is nothing but a pot. This pot is believed to symbolize fertility. The beat and therefore the rhythm of the Kala dance are what attract viewers to its performance.
Folk Instruments of Maharashtra:
1. Daf
Daf also referred to as Dâyere and Riq is a Middle Eastern frame drum musical instrument, utilized in popular and classical music in Iran and Pakistan. it’s also used in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and many regions of Georgia, also as in parts of India and Russian polar regions.
2. Ghangli
Ghangli may be a stringed musical instrument used by the Warli shamans called “Ghangli Bhagats” in religious rituals. it’s an instrument made up of two gourds, which attached to a bamboo stick. On the stick fixed two strings. Ghangli seems like Mandolin. The instrument principally found among the Warlis of Thane district within the State of Maharashtra.
3. Pawri
Pawri may be a wind musical instrument played by the Koknas of Nashik. it’s like Tarpa, except that tarpa is blown from the anterior end while Pawri blown from the center of the gourd. The Koknas play Pawri to precise their joy over corn, jowar and rice harvest.
4. Tarpa
Tarpa may be a wind instrument played by the Warlis inhabiting in Thane district. it’s played to express their joy over the new harvest. Nearly 50-100 men and ladies dance to the tune of the instrument to perform the Tarpa dance. The Warlis believe that Tarpa may be a divine gift to them from “Naran”, the god of rains. it’s taboo to play Tarpa during the summer and rainy season.
