Source - dancewithmadhuri.com
Folk dances of Maharashtra - Lavani ( Part 2 )
The two main types of Lavani are
Nirguni Lavani that is more devotional and philosophical in nature. It is more popular all over the Malvan region of Maharashtra.
Shringari Lavani ,with a more sensual and erotic nature
The two types of performances include
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.
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.
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 -
Anant Fandi, 1744 - 1819
Parasharam, 1754 - 1844
Honaji Bala, 1754 - 1844
Ram Joshi , 1762 - 1812
Prabhakar, 1769 - 1843
Annabhau Sathe and Saganbhau ,1920 - 1969
Bashir Momin Kavathekar, present day
Famous Dancers / Presenters
Satyabhamabai Bai Pandharpurkar
Yamunabai Waikar
Sandhya Mane
Vithabai Narayangaonkar
Surekha Punekar
Roshan Satarkar
Mangala Bansode
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
