The hub of Indian Cinema, as we know it, is in Mumbai. As every self-respecting Indian should know that Mumbai is in Maharastra and the language spoken is Marathi which has the distinction of being one of the older Indo-Aryan languages spoken today since AD 1000.
And just like most other regional languages which find an outlet of their unique culture through song, dance and poetry [read: lyric], similarly, Marathi songs have their cinematic and folk equivalents.
The most popular form of folk music is derived from the ‘Tamasha’ which means fun or entertainment in Persian, and is continued until this very day by the Kolhati and Mahar communities in Maharastra. Lavanis (love songs) are sung accompanied by several percussive and melody instruments such as the ‘Dholki’ drum, ‘Tuntuni’ (a single string instrument), ‘Daf’ (a tambourine-like instrument with a single leather surface), the metal triangle called ‘Kade’, the Harmonium and ‘Ghunghroos’ (ankle bells).
Since most folk music is based on poetry, the poet-singers (also known as ‘shahirs’) compose songs in the narrative and in the glorification of love to a higher power or earthly love.
Dance also plays an important part in the ‘tamasha’, and although this performance is meant to entertain, it begins with a devotional song to Lord Ganesha. Costumes are not necessarily important and neither does it require a stage setup for the ‘show’, so to speak. It is the most popular form of entertainment in rural Maharashtra.
The Bharud is the next most popular form of folk music in Maharashtra with its focus on a more spiritual and social message. Eknath, the revered poet in Maharastra is credited to have to have composed the first Bharud.
Another interesting form of music in Maharastra is the Powada, which is poetry (yet again) in song with an epic twist, which account the great historical achievements of the heroes of Maharastra and their victorious deeds in battle. The earliest Powada is called ‘Afazal Khanacha Vadh’ (The Killing of Afzal Khan) composed in 1659 by Agnidas, which sings of Shivaji's victorious encounter with Afzal Khan in battle, making him a legend even till this day.
Here’s a ‘powada’ sung in praise of Tanaji Malusare, Shivaji’s military leader and general:
And these three are just the most popular forms of folk music in Maharastra long before the arrival of television and other forms of media such as cinema.
Yet Marathi songs continue to portray the ‘rural’ element in their movies even now, as it forms the backbone of the music of Maharastra although the influence of Bollywood cinema and Hindi music also plays a large role in the creative direction of Marathi music as well.
Here’s an example of a song ‘Komabadi Palali’ from the Marathi movie ‘Jatra’:
This is no different from the sights you’ll see in ethnic Maharashtra, a symbol for all things energetic, bold and beautiful, and rather symbolic of Maharashtra’s slogan “Jai Maharastra’.
Very simply, at the centre of it all…
