Folk dances of Maharashtra - Lavani ( Part 2 )

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                   Source - dancewithmadhuri.com 

Folk dances of Maharashtra - Lavani ( Part 2 ) 

The two main types of Lavani are 

  1. Nirguni Lavani that is more devotional and philosophical in nature. It is more popular all over the Malvan region of Maharashtra.

  1. Shringari Lavani ,with a more sensual and erotic nature 


The two types of performances include 

  1. Padachi Lavani,  which is more of a public performance,being held in a huge theatrical atmosphere in front of large audiences ( Males only ). These dances were mostly held away from the villages and hence had no female presence in the audience.


  1. Baithakichi Lavani, as the name suggests , is performed by a single dancer with sitting movements only. It was performed in private functions in front of a select male audience belonging to the rich and effluent class. 


  1. Tamasha style, a travelling theatre troupe belonging to the Kolhati group ( a nomadic tribe ) 

Themes include - sexual union between a husband and wife, adultery , menstruations, childbirth, love, separation, yearning , heroism , passionate endeavors of soldiers etc.


Lokshahirs  down the centuries -

  1. Anant Fandi, 1744 - 1819

  2. Parasharam, 1754 - 1844

  3. Honaji Bala, 1754 - 1844

  4. Ram Joshi , 1762 - 1812

  5. Prabhakar, 1769 - 1843

  6. Annabhau Sathe and Saganbhau ,1920 - 1969

  7. Bashir Momin Kavathekar, present day 

Famous Dancers / Presenters

  1. Satyabhamabai Bai Pandharpurkar

  2. Yamunabai Waikar

  3. Sandhya Mane

  4. Vithabai Narayangaonkar

  5. Surekha Punekar

  6. Roshan Satarkar

  7. Mangala Bansode

  8. Kantabai Satarkar

Generally , the performance lasts all night long and ends with the burning of a replica of Manmathas mount.

With the changing times , technology and changes in the form of entertainment, Lavani has become a dying art with artists being socially and economically discriminated against. 

To revive this centuries old traditional and cultural folk art form , the State Government, in a series of measures to revive it has provided financial aid for infrastructure, soft loans for opening theatres, old age homes for aging artists , residential colonies for those interested in learning and carrying it forward to the next generation.

The positive cinematic portrayal in movies like Pinjara, Nataraja has helped too. 


Recommended Read - Part One 



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