Tamasha
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Travelling folk theatre of Maharashtra that mixes song, dance, comedy and drama, with Lavani at its centre.
Folk theatreWhere: MaharashtraOccasion: Village jatras (fairs) and festivals; touring troupes perform through the dry season
| Performed by | Family-run troupes (phads) of actors, dancers, singers and musicians |
|---|---|
| Costume | Nauvari sarees for women dancers; dhoti, kurta and pheta (turban) for men; colourful costumes for the comic roles |
| Music and instruments | Dholki, halgi (frame drum), tuntune, manjira and harmonium |
How it is performed
- The show opens with the gan, a song of invocation to Shri Ganesha.
- Next comes the gavlan, a playful scene of Bhagwan Shri Krishna and the milkmaids.
- Lavani songs and dances follow, often with comic exchanges between the dancers and the sardar (lead) and songadya (jester).
- The night ends with the vag, a full-length folk play with songs, often on a social or historical theme.
Significance
Tamasha has entertained rural Maharashtra for centuries and has long been used to comment on society. Many troupes are run by hereditary families of performers who travel from village to village.