Lavani folk art

Why in news?

• Recently an NCP leader has directed members of his party to not organize public shows in the name of Lavani. This comes after a complaint over degradation of Lavani culture through the use of DJs and obscene performances.

About Lavani:

• Lavani is a traditional folk art form that originated in Maharashtra. The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya,’ meaning beauty.
• It is a form of song-and-dance performance, which is performed by women in a nine-yard-long saree, brightly coloured make-up, and ghungroos (ankle bells).
• The dancers perform on dholak beats on a stage before a live audience.
• The history of Lavani dates back several centuries, and it attained particular popularity during the Peshwa era in the 18th century.
• The dance was originally performed in the presence of kings or lords and for the entertainment of tired soldiers during breaks in fighting.

Add ons:

• There are several sub-genres of Lavani, of which the most popular is the Shringarik (erotic) genre.
• In this sub-genre, the lyrics are often teasing, with sensuous dance steps and delicate gestures employed to convey erotic meaning.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Lavani, a traditional folk art, is associated with which of the following state in India?

(a) Himachal Pradesh

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Assam

(d) Bihar

Answer