Thursday 10 November 2016

The Origin of Lavani



Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance which is performed to the beats of dholaki(a pecussion instrument). Lavani is noted for its powerful rythm. The word 'lavani' originates from 'lavanya' meaning beauty.

Usually Lavani dance form is performed by dhangars or shepherds of sholapur district of Maharashtra.
Long back in history Maharashtra was a war ridden kingdom, and Lavani strted as a mode of entertainment and morale booster to the tired soldiers. The dance form reached the peak of popularity during the Peshwai rule(18th and 19th century). The folk form was given royal patronage.

Lavani deals with different and varied subject matters such as society, religion, politics and romance. The songs in Lavani are erotic in sentiment. Lavani is classified in to two subtypes - Nirguni Lavani(philosophical) and Shringari Lavani(sensual).

Lavani developed in to two distinct performances, namely Phadachi Lavani and Baithakaichi Lavani. The lavani sung and enacted in a public performance before a large audience in a theatrical atmosphere is called Phadachi Lavani.
When Lavani is sung in a closed chamber for selected audience it is called Baithakaichi Lavani.

The Lavani dancers belong mostly from the castes of Maharashtra like Mahar kohlati and Matang.The great Marathi poets like Honaji Bala, Ramjoshi, Prabhakar, etc. took Lavani to a new height. Today Lavani song and dance have found a place in the Marathi as well as Hindi films.

1 comment:

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