Lavani – an overview – Team eAmbalam

Lavani – an overview

–          Team eAmbalam

Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the beats of Dholki, a percussion instrument. It is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Originally, it was used as a form of entertainment and morale booster to the tired soldiers. Lavani has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre. It is believed their origin is in the Prakruth Gathas collected by Hala.

Salient features of Lavani

Traditionally, this genre of folk dance deals with different and varied subject matters such as society, religion, politics and romance.

•  The Nirguni Lavani (philosophical) and the Shringari Lavani (sensual) are the two types. The former is of lesser popularity compared to the latter.
• Lavani Songs, which are sung along with dance, are usually naughty and erotic in sentiment and the dialogues tend to be pungent in socio-political satire.
• Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm and the songs are sung in a quick tempo.
• In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by the female performers wearing nine-yard long saris.
  • In Tamil Nadu, at the end of the Lavani performance, a replica of Manmatha’s mount is burnt.

Although beginnings of Lavani can be traced back to mid 15^th century, it came into prominence during the later days of the Peshwa rule. Lavani also suffered neglect thanks to the British attitude towards Indian folk culture.Marathi films played an important role in making Lavani genre accessible to masses. They have not only attempted to blend traditional music with social messages but also helped portray Lavani world in positive light.

Lavani at eAmbalam – The workshop and the event

Basics of Lavani at SaMaaGaMa 2012 hosted by eAmbalam in December 2012

The Trainer

With a diploma in Bharathanatyam from Kalakshetra, Chennai and a post graduate degree in arts management and culture studies, Supriya Kharat is now pursuing post graduation in Bharathanatyam. She has rich performance experience including solo and dance drama productions. She has learnt the folk dances of various states like Tamilnadu, Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bengal and Nagaland apart from her home state Maharashtra. Supriya has won several prizes in different dance competetions. She is also a model and a compeer for various events. Having worked as a dance teacher in Rukmini Natyakshetra, Chennai she now is the design and development Manager for French embroidery company, Vastrakala. In SaMaaGaMa, Supriya demonstrated and taught the basics of the popular dance from of Maharashtra, Lavani.

Brief report and gallery

“The energetic Lavani was explained after a brief performance by Supriya. “

“She outlined the history and growth of this Maharashtrian folk art form in a lucid manner.”

“Then, it was the turn of the participants to learn a simple Lavani in which the newly married girl requests her husband not to force her to accompany him from her parental home. “

“As children, teenagers and adults tried out each step they were happy to follow her directions to do the Lavani steps.”

“It was a pity that no male attempted to join Supriya’s happy workshop and learn this energetic dance!”

(Report – Vidyalakshmi Venkataraman; Photo Courtesy – Real Remembrance (eAmbalam’s official photography team)