Maharashtra is one of the most famous states of India, which has deep roots in culture, including different dance forms. Maharashtrian people enjoy dancing during special times like festivals and weddings. They have different types of dance forms for occasions like harvests and celebrations. Some popular dances are Lavani, Dhangarigaja, Lezim, and Koli. Both guys and girls dance in Lezim, Koli, and Tamasha. Lavani is only for girls, while Dhangari Gaja is only for guys.
List of Folk Dance Styles of Maharashtra
1. Lavani Dance
The word “Lavani” comes from “Lavanya”. This means “beauty” in Sanskrit. This dance mixes music and dance to discuss society, religion, love, and politics. Usually, pretty women wearing long saris dance to the beat of the dholak drum.
Lavani, a traditional dance in Maharashtra, was a source of entertainment during 18th and 19th-century turmoil. It uplifted tired soldiers. In Pune, during Peshwa’s rule, Lavani gained popularity with strong support from rulers. Poets like Honaji Bala, Ramjoshi, and Prabhakar made Lavani even more famous.
2. Koli Dance
The Koli fisherfolk perform the Koli dance, a significant dance form in Maharashtra. It’s a lively representation of their culture, revolving around the sea and fishing. The dance is structured with men and women in separate groups. The men, standing in rows holding oars, enact rowing movements, simulating the action of maneuvering a boat.
Meanwhile, the women, forming rows with interlocked arms, march towards the men in a specific choreographed pattern. Afterward, they disperse and engage in movements depicting waves, rowing actions, throwing nets, and fishing amidst cliffs, adding a visual narrative representing the sea life and fishing activities central to the Koli community.
3. Dhangari Gaja Dance
The Dhangars in Maharashtra’s Sholapur region connect with nature while guiding their cattle to green pastures. They create poetry known as “ovi” inspired by nature and their deity Biruba. Once a year, when they return home, they honor God Biruba, spend time with family, and perform the Dhangari Gaja dance. This dance is a way to show gratitude to their deity for the blessings received. Dhangar dancers dress in traditional Marathi clothing like dhoti, angarakha, pheta, and colorful handkerchiefs, dancing around a group of drummers during the performance.
4. Povadas Dance
Povadas are Marathi songs about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered Maratha emperor. He built the Maratha Empire and fought the Mughals. He controlled the Deccan region until he died in 1680. Shivaji is admired as a great warrior and a crucial figure in Maratha history.
Maharashtrians deeply venerate Shivaji, commemorating his valor and leadership through these musical and narratively rich songs. Povadas serve as a heartfelt tribute to honor his memory, keeping alive the legacy of this iconic figure in Maratha history.
5. Lezim Dance
Lezim dance in Maharashtra holds significance in social and religious events and plays a crucial role in the region’s martial arts dances. It’s more of a physically demanding workout and drills rather than solely a dance form, with formations in pairs, groups of four, or even circular arrangements. Practiced across all regions of Maharashtra, various versions like Ghoti Lejim, Ghungroo Lejim, Dakhni Lejim, and Palita Lejim contribute to this dance tradition. Instruments like drums, Tasha, and cymbals are commonly used in the vibrant performances of Lezim.
6. Tamasha Dance
Tamasha, originating from ancient Sanskrit theatrics, means “fun” or “entertainment” in Persian. This dance form, associated with the Kolhati and Mahar people, includes song-dance and folk-drama troupes. Poet-singers called shahirs contribute tales and love songs. Tamasha blends Kathak, Kavali, and Ghazal tunes and incorporates various instruments like dholki, tuntuni, manjeera, daf, halgi, kad’, lejim, harmonium, and ghunghroos.
Preservation efforts for India’s vanishing folk arts, including Tamasha, need government and private support. Financial aid, workshops, youth training, tribal events, and dedicated schemes are crucial. Neglect might discourage artists, impacting their faith in their talents.
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