Maanch
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The musical folk theatre of Malwa, centred on Ujjain, in which actors sing the dialogue of popular stories on an open-air stage through the night.
Folk theatreWhere: Madhya Pradesh (Malwa, especially Ujjain)Occasion: Festivals and village gatherings, usually at night
| Performed by | Troupes of male actors, who traditionally also played the women’s roles |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright costumes, crowns and painted faces that mark kings, heroes and comic characters |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, sarangi and harmonium; songs in Malwi set to folk tunes |
How it is performed
- A raised stage (the name is generally linked to 'manch', stage) is built in an open space with the audience on three sides.
- The performance opens with prayers and the musicians setting up the tunes.
- Actors enter and tell the story largely through song, with the chorus repeating lines.
- Comic interludes and dances break the story, which runs late into the night.
Significance
Maanch is one of the main folk theatre forms of Madhya Pradesh. It tells stories of romance, heroism and devotion in the people’s own dialect.