MUSIC AND DANCES OF MAHARASHTRA - Page 2

Koli Dance

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.

DANCE

Maharashtra has a lively tradition of song, dance, music and theatre. Vasudev, a dance form, is performed by people believed to be incarnation of Lord Krishna. Bedecked in the distinctive headgear of peacock feathers, performers sing Vasudev geets and with nimble, delicate dance steps, whirl around presenting anecdotes from Lord Krishna's life in exchange for alms. Soothing, melodious notes float through the villages, particularly near Jalgaon and Dhule. On auspicious occasions like the birth of a child, dancers might hold night- long performances called gondhals. Elsewhere, rustic actors could be narrating lively stories through the bharud, an enactment of the written musical compositions of poet- saints, and singers could be crooning powadas, inspiring ballads. The lavni performed by women, is sometimes called the queen of Marathi folk music and dance. It is incorporated in slapstik tamasha, and is perhaps one of the most popular folk forms. Marathi theatre itself has evolved over the years, and is now a mature form of communication which challenges norms and often embraces rebellious themes.

CRAFTS

Maharashtrian jewelers are busy at work, creating ornaments for villagers, dancers, business women and brides. Remains of old intricately carved woodwork can still be seen in palaces of yesterday, and in tiny shops in the bylanes of Nashik metal workers style utensils and vessels following age-old traditions. Paithan, which was once an important seat of learning, is famous for its beautiful silk saris which sport intricate gold borders. In Aurangabad, families weaves silk-like himru shawls and make silver bidri ware.

Chawk, the sacred pictograph of the Warlis was traditionally painted by women during wedding ceremonies. The technique involves the use of rice paste and straw which is smeared on the mud walls of their simple dwellings. The central figure here is of Palghat, the goddess of trees and plants, who symbolises creative energy. Today, young men have taken to painting their own experiences, using the typically decorative Warli motifs on paper.

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Folk Dances

Dindi and Kala are the religious folk dances in Maharashtra, which expresses religious ecstasy. Young women perform a variety of folk dances known as phugadis on the occasion of Mangalagouri Puja as well.

Farmers observe the Bharadi Gauri festival by singing and dancing. Hadga or Bhondla, performed by the unmarried girls or newly married girls is also an important folk dance form of Maharsahtra. Ghagar Phunkane, exclusively performed by women of the Sitapavan Brahman at the time of Mahalaksmi worship in the bright half of Asvin is another ecstatic folk dance.

Dindi is performed during ekadashi day in the month of Kartik in Maharashtra. Dindi is a small drum used by the musicians during the performance of this dance form. The musicians in the centre that comprises of a Mridangam player and a vocalist, balances the rhythm of the dancers. When the dancers accelerate the rhythm, they form two rows, stamp their right feet, bow, and advance with their left feet, making geometric formations. The dance describes the playfulness of Lord Krishna.

The Kala dance also showcases the playfulness of Lord Krishna. Beat and the rhythm are the main attractions of this dance form. A group of dancers form a double-tiered circle with other dancers on their shoulders. A man breaks the pot and splashes curds over the naked torsos of the dancers. The dancers twirl sticks and swords in a feverish battle dance after this ceremonial opening.