Latest news with #Lavani
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Sambalpur set for grand Sital Sasthi yatra with over 8,000 artistes, silver pandal
SAMBALPUR: Sambalpur city is gearing up for the grand celebration of historic Sital Sasthi yatra which will kick-off from May 31. Over 8,000 artistes from Odisha and outside will take part in the three-day festival, rituals of which commenced from Tuesday. The festival marks the divine marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati which will take place on May 31 night. The homecoming procession of the divine couple to their temple would start on June 1 night and end on June 2 evening. This year, Nandapada Sital Sasthi committee is set to showcase a 1.5 quintal silver pandal where the divine marriage will take place. Around 1,800 folk artistes will perform Dulduli, Samprada, Ganta, Shabar, Kantara, Mayur, Aghori, Galpa, Ghumura, Purulia Chhau, Dambaru, Jodi Shankha and Danda Nacha. Other key highlights of the event will include Kharagpur's Sher Baja, Mumbai's Lavani, Kerala's Melam and Tambola dancers. Chariots will feature tableaux of Kalabhairava, Panchamukhi Hanuman and Rameshwaram. Tableaux themed on Sambhaji Maharaj and Operation Sindoor will also be displayed. The Nandapada committee has drawn a budget of `70 lakh for the festival. Similarly, Jhaduapada Sital Sasthi committee's grand celebration will feature 150 artistes from Bhopal's Baba Bateshwar Kirtan Samiti and 60 from Goa's Shree Tonyeshwar Shingmotsav Mandal. Dance troupes from Kolkata, Assam, and Puri's Jagannath Bhakti Nrutya Mandali will perform on two mobile stages.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
This Saturday, Pune to host a workshop on fundamentals of erotic writing
From the pages of the Kama Sutra to the sculptures of Khajuraho, India has an elaborate history of celebrating erotic experiences. Over time, however, art in the country began to shy away from erotica until, today, it is a rare performance or piece of literature that explores it publicly. When Bhushan Korgaonkar, a theatre director, writer and translator from Mumbai, decided to revisit erotica through workshops on the fundamentals of writing it in stories or songs, among others, he found that the seats filled fast. On May 17, Korgaonkar will bring the session, 'Writing Erotica', to Pune for the first time. Korgaonkar is the director of Lavani ke Rang, based on Maharashtra's popular erotic dance form. The play had won the prestigious Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Award for the lead dancer, Shakuntalabai Nagarkar, in 2023. Another play, Love and Lavani, highlights the complexities of man-woman relationships in the art form. 'I was at the Karnavati University near Ahmedabad for a lecture-demonstration on Lavani when I mentioned that I also write erotica for a platform called Storytel. It was suggested that I conduct a workshop that will enable participants to explore erotica and get some writing tools and tips on the subject,' he says. Korgaonkar devised a module for university students, but before that, he thought of conducting a trial at his studio in Vile Parle in Mumbai. 'We announced it on a Monday and, in the next two or three days, all the slots were full,' he says. Many filmmakers and writers were part of the workshop. Filmmaker Gauri Shinde of English Vinglish fame has called the workshop 'insightful and quite an eyeopener'. Word spread and, soon, Korgaonkar was repeating the module multiple times. The workshop opens with Korgaonkar establishing that it was a safe space to talk about the subject, conducting writing exercises, sharing and discussions, among others. He also touches upon various ancient literary works that talk about erotica very openly, such as Gatha Saptasati, written in the ancient language of Maharashtri Prakrit. Korgaonkar 'does not have an answer to why we do not talk about erotica more openly' but points to the Western idea of sex being a sin that arrived in India with colonialism. So far, he has found that some groups openly share ideas while others are 'initially hesitant as this was their first such workshop'. 'There is a fine line between erotica and vulgarity. The line is different for everyone, every society, community and individual. We try to find this line in the workshop through a collective process,' he adds. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Samyukta Maharashtra: how a linguistic movement built a State
The Punjab Mail to Delhi was bustling with the inspiring tune of Lavani 'Majhi maina gavavar rahili,' composed by Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe. Senior freedom fighter Vithabai led the chorus, enthusiastically accompanied by Comrades Ahilya Ranganekar and Tara Reddy. This episode, described in Meena Deshpande's classic novel, Hutatma (martyr), shows the passion and force of the Marathi people in envisioning the cultural-linguistic goal of a 'Samyukta Maharashtra' (Unified Maharashtra), realising the dream of the King of Ryots, the Kulwadi Bhushan — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It aligned with Shivaji's vision of Maharashtra Dharma, first illustrated in the Mahikavati Bakhar of the 15th century. Today, along with International Labour Day, Maharashtra Day has been celebrated since 1960 on May 1. To better understand the cultural-linguistic concept of Samyukta Maharashtra, two key aspects of the movement need to be analysed — Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe's contribution and the role of Dr. Ambedkar and his Scheduled Caste Federation (SCF). History of the movement The Gandhian promise of the linguistic reorganisation of States was not fulfilled in the case of the Marathi-speaking public by any of the committees including the Dhar Commission, the JVP Committee, and the Fazl Ali Commission. The Congress leaders, playing with Marathi people's sentiments, sidelined the fair demand for the linguistic creation of a Samyukta Maharashtra encompassing Mumbai, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Belgaum, Karwar, and Nippani. This understanding was democratically reached under the aegis of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, headed by Keshavrao Jedhe, and which included stalwarts like S. M. Joshi. They took into cognisance the earlier agreed Nagpur Pact of 1953, improving on the Akola Pact of 1947. In 1954, the RSS supremo, M. S. Golwalkar, at the Anti-Provincial Conference, echoed the sentiments of the Bombay Citizens Committee, helmed by the Gujarati-speaking elites, who were opposed to the idea of a Samyukta Maharashtra. It was later Indira Gandhi who nudged the then reluctant Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to accept the demand for a Samyukta Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, due to the following events — the resignation of Union Finance Minister C. D. Deshmukh, the loss of lives of more than 100 Marathi activists to state brutality, and the Congress debacle in the State during the 1957 elections. The cultural ethos The fiery Acharya Atre, whose newspapers, Navayug and Mahrattha, were the movement's voice, shed tears hearing the famous poet Shailendra's song for the movement. The lyrics of the song announced, 'Rise, Maratha! The times will change. The storm has risen. And it will calm down only after taking Bombay with it. ' Neera Adarkar and Meena Menon have highlighted that these shahirs played a critical role in mobilising the Marathi-speaking masses. Here, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe's role was extremely significant. Annabhau was a folk artist, writer, and social worker. Through the Lal Bavta Kalapathak (Red flag cultural squad), he and his comrades mobilised masses from the rural areas, garnering their support for the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Their role can be understood through Jürgen Habermas's theory of communicative rationality, which focuses on the deliberative democratic model which is open, meaningful, constructive, and uses critical conversations to reach a consensus. In his lokanatya (a form of theatre), 'Majhi Mumbai', he presents this communicative rationality, foregrounding a discussion between a Marathi person named Vishnu and a bourgeois character, Munim. When Munim asks, 'Why should Mumbai be given to Maharashtra?' Vishnu answers, 'Just like an eagle has wings and a tiger has claws, just like that, Mumbai is for Maharashtra.' His famous composition, 'Majhi Maina Gavavar rahili', became an anthem of the movement. While the state tried to crush his spirit, Annabhau kept the momentum going. He and his comrades successfully engendered fraternity between different classes, transcending gender and caste boundaries, to build an associated linguistic vision of Samyukta Maharashtra with Mumbai being its core. The role of Ambedkar Prabodhankar Thackrey, in his autobiography, Majhi Jeevangatha, recalls his meeting with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who promised that his party, the SCF, would stand with the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Ambedkar was one of the first people to have perspicacity on the Samyukta Maharashtra issue. He submitted his scholarly views before the Dhar Commission. And for the first time, the resolution for a Samyukta Maharashtra was brought to the Bombay Corporation by his party, the SCF, in 1948. His party also seconded the resolution on the same, brought by Acharya Atre, in the Bombay Corporation. He emphasised that linguistic reorganisation can accord cultural specificity, social plurality, and a democratic polity, strengthening federalism. During the general elections in 1951, he asserted the idea of a Samyukta Maharashtra which includes Mumbai. Incidentally, in 1956, Ambedkar sent a telegram to Jawaharlal Nehru expressing his indignation with the proposed reorganisation of states in Parliament. He was unwavering in his belief that Mumbai was for Maharashtra only. Ambedkar clearly articulated his position on the need for a Samyukta Maharashtra in Parliament, newspapers, and public gatherings. He analysed the issue in three different books — States and Minorities, Need for Checks and Balances, and Thoughts on Linguistic States. In Maharashtra as a Linguistic Province (1948), Ambedkar argues that State formation based on language cultivates social unity and strengthens democracy. He views the concept of Samyukta Maharashtra, including Mumbai, not from the standpoint of mere geography but as an opportunity to establish social and economic democracy. Even after his death, his party supported the Samyukta Maharashtra movement in the 1957 elections, and members of the SCF, like B. K. Gaikwad, B. C. Kamble, and others, remained key players of the movement. Thus, Dr. Ambedkar used his unique blend of theory and praxis for the movement. The end of this linguistic-cultural movement was reached when, on May 1, 1960, the State of Maharashtra, with Mumbai as its capital, was formed. In that atmosphere of jubilation, somewhere, the following lines of poet Vinda Karandikar reverberated, remembering the sacrifices of the people: 'For the liberation of people, There is still one more battle to go; And whose soul is one, These people are immortal.' Nikhil Sanjay-Rekha Adsule is a senior research scholar at IIT-Delhi
Deccan Herald
02-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
CM Siddaramaiah sings 'Lavani', entertains audience at temple inauguration
Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said, the presiding deity was his family God (mane devru) and rendered a few lines of the Lavani, 'Allapattanadinda Mella Mellane Bandhe, Annadaneshwara...'
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maharashtra Day celebrated with vibrant folk art and cultural performances
Nagpur: Maharashtra Day was celebrated with a vibrant folk art performance in the city, marking a memorable celebration of culture and unity. The event took place at VR Mall, Medical Chowk, where a colourful cultural festival drew enthusiastic crowds on Thursday. The atrium of the venue was adorned with a grand display of Paithani sarees and traditional rangoli designs, creating a festive visual experience. The event began with an elegant vandana dance by students of Nagpur's Nrutyasajja Dance Academy, whose graceful movements and expressive storytelling captivated the audience. Following this, a vibrant folk troupe from Mumbai brought Maharashtra's diverse traditions to life through Lavani, Koli dance, Gondhal, and a dramatic re-enactment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 's coronation. These performances highlighted the rich folk heritage, cultural unity, and artistic traditions of the state. The event beautifully blended tradition with modern presentation, offering the public a powerful reminder of Maharashtra's cultural grandeur and harmony. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Adding to the Maharashtra Day festivities, the Gandhi Sagar Garden Welfare Association hosted a classy cultural presentation titled 'Maharashtra Maza' at Chacha Nehru Bal Udyan, Gandhi Sagar, Subhash Road. Produced by the Raja Shiv Chhatrapati Foundation, this grand musical brought to life iconic milestones from Maharashtra's history, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's oath at Rohideshwar, the martyrdom of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, the Sanyukta Maharashtra Movement, and vivid scenes from Maharashtra's traditional festivals. With a cast of 65 artists, the production seamlessly blended music, theatre, and narration, under the direction of Shekhar Mangalmurthi and conceptualised by Milind Yeole, drawing strong applause from the audience for its emotional depth and cultural richness.
