Folk Music of Maharashtra

Minali · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:23 am **Posts:** 1212

Every festive occasion is accompanied by song, music and dance in Maharashtra. Talking about the music of Maharashtra won't complete without the mention of Natya Sangeet, numerous folk songs and its great saint poets. Although music in Maharashtra like Marathi literature has an ancient tradition, the popularity of classical music in Maharashtra began through Gwalior. Miraj town of Sangli district is known as the 'town of music'. The world famous Indian musical instrument the Sitar is made in this town.

Folk songs are an inseparable part of the daily lives of the rural Maharashtra. Folk forms like lavani, nautanki and tamasha music are very famous. However, a lot of these art forms are dying out as performers are finding it difficult to sustain.

Koli is the dance form of Koli fisher folk of Maharashtra. The community has its own distinct identity and lively dances. The dance incorporates elements that this community is most familiar with - sea and fishing. The dance is performed by both men and women divided into two groups, where fishermen stand in two rows holding oars in their hands. The dancers move in unison, portraying the movement of the rowing of a boat. Fisherwomen are in the opposite rows with their arms linked and advancing towards men folk. The separate formation then break up and they dance together with movements symbolizing the waves, the breakers and rowing from cliff to cliff and casting of nets to catch the fish.

Dindi Dance:
In Maharashatra, religious devotional dances are called as Dindi. The verses & poems form the vital part of Dindi. The musicians for this dance comprise of a `Mridangam` player and a vocalist who give the dancers the necessary musical background. Mridangam is a kind of instrument that is used for generating music. This dance is usually performed on the Ekadashi day in the month of Kartik.

Dindi is a widely popular in Varkari people. This is a religious devotional dance that describes the playful attitude of Lord Krishna. Dindi is a small drum, like a `Tamate` used for musical purpose. Men and women folk in together perform the dance on the rhythmic music.

Tamasha:
This is a form of theatre called Tamasha, which came into being in Maharashtra in the early 16th century. The history of the Tamasha of Maharashtra presents a picture, which is somewhat different from the other folk forms in Maharashtra.

The interspersed poetry and narrative writing in Tamasha tells us of the existence of many dance and music styles such as the themes of the Ramayan and the Mahabharat. This is obvious but one can not find a direct bearing of early and medieval writing in it.

The musical compositions of the Tamasha manifest the typical phenomenon of a simultaneous use of the Raga and the incorporation of many folk and indigenous melodies. Amongst the Hindustani Ragas used for Tamasha Yaman, Bhairavi, and Pilu are common. All this rich fare of elementary ritual, farce, satire, sarcasm, dance and music concludes with something, which is akin to an Aarti. In any case, the finale is always on a high moral note that the good wins, evil perishes, truth is victorious and falsehood is self-destructive.

Lavani and Povada are the most popular folk songs that entertain the village-folks in Maharashtra. Bhaleri, a folk-song is sung to cheer the farmers working in the field. They also sing special songs during the harvesting time. Village women of Maharashtra sing a folk song called owi at dawn describing maika, mother's home and sasural, husband's home. Suvasinis sing folk songs at the halad and ghana ceremonies in a marriage. Palane is a lullaby in Maharashtra to put a child to sleep. Artya is the folk song that appeases the wrath of deities to protect from diseases like smallpox, plague etc.

Natya Sangeet is very popular in Maharashtra. It is sort of stage music that performs on the stage. It derives from the classical form of Indian music and presented on the semi-classical style. The tune is an amiable blend of deep classical strains and old-style musical patterns with recurrent rhythmic changes. Background instrumentation music rivets the composition completely in sync with the vocals.

Narayanrao Rajhauns, popularly known as Bal Gandharava is the master of Natya Sangeet. An entire genre of Natya Sangeet rooted in Hindustani classical music is developed under him. Marathi musical theatre too is largely obliged to this maestro for his contribution in the field.

Bhajan, Bharud, Gondhal, Kirtan, Lalita, Abhangas and Tumbadi singing are the other forms of community entertainments based on folksongs found in Maharashtra. Gondhal, Lalita, Lavani, Povadas and Tamasha are the other forms of entertainment that involves folk music in Maharashtra.

Amongst the saint poets, Jnandev, Namdev, Tukaram, Jani and Soyara are imorptant to mention. They believed in the fusion of Bhakti (devotion) with Jnana (knowledge). They taught to worship and merge into oneness with the God.

Minali · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:23 am **Posts:** 1212

Maharashtra Festivals

As Maharashtra is a big state, it is home to many religions. The state also nurtures different traditions with diverse communities. Maharashtrians are fun loving people, so that might be another reason why the state has lots of different festivals.

Apart from the main festivals of Eid, Holi, Deewali and other festivals, which are celebrated, all over India, there are other festivals, which are celebrated locally and regionally in Maharashtra. Songs, dance and mouth watering cuisines accompany almost every festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Maharashtra. It is celebrated for ten days with huge fun fare. Banganga Festival, Kalidas Festival, Ellora Festival and Elephanta Festival are the festivals organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Classical music and dance are the main attractions of these festivals.

As Maharashtra is a big state, it is home to many religions. The state also nurtures different traditions with diverse communities. Maharashtrians are fun loving people, so that might be another reason why the state has lots of different festivals.

Apart from the main festivals of Eid, Holi, Deewali and other festivals, which are celebrated, all over India, there are other festivals, which are celebrated locally and regionally in Maharashtra. Songs, dance and mouth watering cuisines accompany almost every festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Maharashtra. It is celebrated for ten days with huge fun fare. Banganga Festival, Kalidas Festival, Ellora Festival and Elephanta Festival are the festivals organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Classical music and dance are the main attractions of these festivals.

Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima, Ganga Dashahara, Banganga Festival, Nag Panchami, Wat Pournima, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti and Palkhi Festival are some of the important festivals of Maharashtra.

Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima, Ganga Dashahara, Banganga Festival, Nag Panchami, Wat Pournima, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti and Palkhi Festival are some of the important festivals of Maharashtra.

kabhi_21 · **Joined:** Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:23 am **Posts:** 11

Wooow you really got a lot of information here...

My favourite folk is Powada from maharashtra. When I was in school we used to have powada competitions and it was treat listening to them.

Powada was developed at the times of Shivaji Maharaj. It is not just a song of a story telling in the form of song. People used to tell about different braveries of Shivaji maharaj in the form of powada. Recently in a new movie "Mee Shivaji raje bhosale boltoy" had a powada regarding the incident when Shivaji maharaj killed afjal khan by intelligence and bravery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Cpx7Xcw5o&feature=fvw

Bhaskar · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:18 am **Posts:** 1117

Thanks Minali for taking up this state. Let me check the songs now.

Folk Music of Maharashtra

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