Dancing is central to Maharashtrian culture, and several folk dances are performed during festivals, weddings, baby showers, and harvest festivals. Today, traditional dances like Lavani, Dhangarigaja, Lezim, Koli, and others are well-liked in Maharashtra. While both male and female dancers execute Lezim, Koli, and Tamasha, only female dancers perform Lavani, and only male dancers do Dhangari Gaja.
Lavani
Lavani is derived from the Sanskrit word lavanya, which is a synonym for “beauty.” This art form incorporates dance and music to speak to a variety of topics, including society, religion, politics, romance, and more. The dance is typically performed to the seductive beat of the dholak by lovely women dressed in nine-yard saris. These women performed sexy movements in sync with a captivating tune and seductive lyrics. Lavana dance served as a sort of entertainment and a morale booster for the worn-out soldiers throughout Maharashtra’s war-torn 18th and 19th centuries. When the dance reached the height of its popularity, it was under the Peshwai (a dynasty located in Pune) control, it received royal patronage from the ruling class.
Kala
Kala is a Lord Krishna-related dance genre. It is also based on the Lord’s playful and taunting demeanor. While dancing, dancers also use a prop, which is nothing more than a pot. This pot is thought to represent fertility. The pace and hence rhythm of the Kala dance attract onlookers to its performance.
Koli
The Koli fisher folk perform the Maharashtra dancing style known as koli. The neighbourhood has an own personality and performs vibrant dances. The dance incorporates themes familiar to this culture, such the sea and fishing. For the dance, men and women are split into two groups, and fishermen are arranged in two rows with oars in their hands. The dancers mimic the motion of rowing a boat by moving in synchronisation. Fisherwomen are moving towards the men while arranged in opposing rows with their arms clasped. After breaking off into separate forms, the dancers reassemble in motions that depict waves, cliffs, rowing between them, and deploying nets to catch fish.
Lejim dance
The Lejim dance of Maharashtra is significant in the martial arts dances of Maharashtra and is popular for social and religious occasions. Lezim can be performed in formations of twos, fours, or even circles and is more of a physically demanding workout and drill than a dance. The lezim dance is regularly performed in Maharashtra. This dance has the Ghoti Lejim, Ghungroo Lejim, Dakhni Lejim, and Palita Lejim. Lezim dance frequently utilises the instruments Tasha, drums, and cymbals.
Tamasha
The term “tamasha” in Persian means “fun” or “entertainment.” The ancient Sanskrit theatre forms “Prahsana” and “Bhana” are regarded to be the ancestors of the tamasha dance style. The two main categories of contemporary Tamasha troupes are song-dance troupes and folk-drama troupes. The Kolhati and Mahar people have ties to Tamasha. The poet singers known as shahirs wrote a lot of stories and love songs for Tamasha. Kathak, Kavali, and Ghazal music enrich any Tamasha performance. The dramatic sequence known as “Gaulan” is frequently followed by a devotional hymn before Tamasha. Lavanis, a very popular love song, is an example of how Tamasha’s energy is captured. Musical instruments like the dholki drum, tuntuni (a single string instrument), manjeera cymbals, daf (a tambourine-like instrument with a single leather surface), halgi (a smaller daf), the metal triangle known as kad’, the lejim (an instrument with a jangling sound), the harmonium, and ghunghroos (ankle bells) add to the aestheticism of the dance.
Povadas
Povadas are sung in a Marathi ballad fashion. This kind of dance tells the story of the glorious Maratha emperor Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Maratha Empire was founded by Shivaji, who continued to fight the Mughals until the rest of his life. By the time Shivaji passed away in 1680, he practically owned the whole Deccan. Shivaji is recognised as the most significant figure in Maratha history since he was a great warrior and one of India’s greatest monarchs. Maharashtrians honour this great hero by singing these melodies in his honour.
Dhangars
As they lead their cattle to lush pastures for grazing, Sholapur’s Dhangars in Maharashtra get to know nature. The beauty of nature and their God Biruba inspire them to produce poetry known as ovi. They honour God Biruba once a year when they return home. They spend their free time with their family and close friends. The Dhangari Gaja dance is then done at this time to please their God and give thanks for His blessings. Dhoti, angarakha, and pheta are common Marathi garments worn by dhangar dancers, as well as vibrant handkerchiefs. They typically circle a group of drummers while dancing.
Government and private-sector efforts should be made to maintain the brilliance of India’s fading folk arts. Folk dances require ongoing financial and structural support to maintain and preserve our artistic traditions through workshops to improve dancers’ artistic skills, dance training for children and youth, tribal events, and the launch of specific schemes for the dance community’s benefit; otherwise, they may lose faith in their artistic power and motivation. People must collaborate and learn new skills in order to advance economically and sustainably. As a result, preserving these folk art forms is vital since they are at the heart of our culture.