Still from production. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Gear for a lively performance that is equal parts sassy, classy and entertaining. This is a world where there is a heartbeat Dholak Are with beating Ghungroos And the complex footwork, a dancer who can flirt with his look and dance with his eyebrows – all are ready for a proper part of the hoots, whistles, and cacacols.
It is the vibrant world of Lavani, which is a folk dance form from Maharashtra. Known to be unexpectedly fun, it also sends a message that you do not always need to be serious when it talks about art and life.
“This is the fun part of Lavani,” says Savitri Medhatul, founder and director of Kali Billy Productions. LavnavatiWhich she will bring to Bengaluru. “This is a story that can do anything from politics to family drama, with a healthy dose of all humor.”
Lavnavati Savitri is the latest production. The dancer, choreographer, and a documentary filmmaker says, “I have been collaborating with Lavani artists since 2006.” With this production, we talk about the rich history of Lavani and its development in the last 250 years. Lavani has made a stunning change over the years, and I am not only talking about music and dance, but also about the approach and its unbeatable energy.
Savitri says that Lavani would not be complete without mentioning her flirtatious aspect, including pushing the ladder and boundaries. “Each of us has a bit like a flirt, and if we can use it to talk about important issues, in a fun way, why not?” Lavani, adds Savitri, is often considered an item number due to her Shringara juice. “This form is beyond fun and frightening.”
Savitri Medhatul | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A classical dancer-Lavani enthusiast, Savitri believes that Lavani is about liberation. “It is about being free from conferences and embracing our internal diva. We are also here about inclusion. Folk art gives you this freedom.”
Lavani, Savitri says, initially women were dressed as women when women were not allowed on stage. “It originated in a patriarchal set. It was only later that women made Levani their own and brought them to their views. For example we have Lavanis who talk about menstruation, when the woman teases the man who requires a break.”
Today there are men who dance to Lavani. Savitri says it happened in the 90s. “An event was called Bin Bai’s spectacleWhich translates into ‘Tamasha without women’. This was when the men once again took it into this folk form and started demonstrating it. ,
Founder of Kali Billy Productions (KBP) – Mumbai, Savitri says, Lavnavati There will be an immersive trip that will take one through its journey of development. “It is prepared in collaboration with Lavani and spectacle artists, and the performance explains how the form of art is shaped by social, political and cultural changes while a permanent force remains in contemporary culture.”
A person who performs Lavani is called Lavanavati, Savitri says, so the production will tell the story of Lavani artists. “This will weave Lavani songs, oral history, arithmetic family photos and more, in addition to colleague projects with artist Paromita Vohra.”
Lavnavati Originally commissioned by the Srendipity Arts Festival in Goa and premiered in December 2022, which production has visited the women’s theater festival (NCPA Mumbai), Phet on Earth Festival (Hyderabad), Kalarang Festival (Ravindra Bhawan Guards).
Lavayavati, In English and Marathi, the concept and designed by Savitri. It will have tone on the dholki by Santa Panchal and Shubam Suutar.
The show is open to any person aged 12 and above and is in Jagri Theater on March 25 at 7.30 pm. Tickets, ₹ 500 on Bookmyshow.
Published – March 24, 2025 08:13 AM IST
