Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance in
Maharashtra, which is performed to the beats of
Dholak and Tabla. It is noted
for its powerful rhythm and erotic sentiment and has contributed substantially
to the development of Marathi folk theatre.
Traditionally, the word Lavani is derived from the word
lavanya which means beauty and is performed by
women wearing nine-yard long
saris and adorned with jewelery.
This genre of folk dance deals with different subject
matters like religion, politics and romance. The songs in
'Lavani' are mostly
erotic and the dialogues tend to be risque in socio-political satire.
Originally, it was used as a form of entertainment and
morale booster to the tired soldiers. Although the origins of Lavani can be
traced back to 1560s, it came into prominence during the later days of Peshwa
rule.
Honaji Bala introduced tabla in place of the traditional
dholki and developed the baithakichi
Lavani, a sub-genre, which is presented by the singer in the seated
position.
Mohanabai Mahalangrekar, daughter of a nomadic harmonium
player grew up performing the suggestive
songs and dance moves of lavani in
villages across Maharashtra. She never went to school, and the traditional
Maharashtrian folk dance has been her bread and butter for 40 years now.
Mumbai-based Akanksha Kadam, on the other hand, was
introduced to lavani 12 years ago and the 27-
year-old is now popular for the
fast-paced, Bollywood-style lavani that she performs in stage shows.
Both of them have their own bands of dancers and musicians
and perform this wonderful form of dance in various places throughout the
country and sincerely hope that it is not looked down upon but given a stamp of
respectability and honour that it deserves as a dance form.
The dance form had acquired such a bad reputation that there was a time when there no women ready to get into it and males had to dress as women and perform. There are 2 real good male performers even today. They are
Anand Satam
and Anil Hankare.
Do check out the slide show below of Lavani - the dance and the dancers! Click on it to see it enlarged in a new window.
The dance form had acquired such a bad reputation that there was a time when there no women ready to get into it and males had to dress as women and perform. There are 2 real good male performers even today. They are
Anand Satam
and Anil Hankare.
Do check out the slide show below of Lavani - the dance and the dancers! Click on it to see it enlarged in a new window.
All these pictures were taken at a show in Mumbai presented by Bhushan Korgaonkar.
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