Lavani: A Folk Form That Demands More Than Just Hots and Whistles

Gear up for a vibrant performance that is equal parts sassy, classy and entertaining. It is a world where the petty beats of dholak Are accessible with the beats of ghungroos And Intricate Footwork, of a Dancer who can flirt with her looks and dance with her eyebrows – all set to a fair share of Hots, Whistles, and KatCalls.

This is the Vibrant World of Lavani, a Folk Dance Form from Maharashtra. Known for Being Unapologetically Fun, It also sends across a message that you do not alllys need to be serial when it comes to art and life.

“That is the fun part of lavani,” Savitri medhatul, founder of kali billi productions and director of LavanyavatiWhich she will be brings to Bengaluru. “It is a storytelling medium that can tackle anything from politics to family drama, all with a healthy dose of humor.”

Lavanyavati is Savitri’s Latest Production. “I’ve been collaborating with Lavani Artis Since 2006, Says The Dancer, Choreographer, and a documentary filmmaker. Years. Lavani has undergone a stunning transformation over the year, and i’m not just talking about the music and dance, but also about the attitude and its unstoppable energy “.

Lavani would not be complete with mentioning its flirtatious aspect, including the teasing and pushing of boundaries, says Savitri. “There is a bit of a flirt in Each of us, and if we can use that to talk about important issues, in a fun manner, why not?” Lavani, Savitri Adds is often Considered an item number because of its shringara rasa. “This form goes beyond fun and frolic.”

Savitri Medhatul | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A Classical Dancer-Turned-Lavani Enthusiast, Savitri Believes Lavani is About Liberation. “It’s about breaking free from conventions and embracing your inner diva.

Lavani, Savitri Says, was initially performed by men dressed as women with women who not allowed on stage. “Its genesis was in a patriarachal set up. It was only laater that women took over and made lavani his own, bringing in his personal personals. Teasingly Tells The Man She Needs A Break. “

Today there are men who dance the lavani. Savitri Says This Haappened in the ’90s. “There was an event called Bin bai ka tamashaWhich translates to ‘Tamasha without Women’. This was when men once again took to this Folk Form and Started Performing It. ”

The Founder of Kali Billi Productions (KBP) – Mumbai, Savitri Says, Lavanyavati will be an immersive journey that will take one through its journey of evolution. “It is devised in collaboration with lavani and tamasha artists, and the performance explores how the art form is shaped by social, political, political, and cultural changes which remains an energy in contemporaryry Culture. “

A person who performs lavani is called lavanyavati, savitri says, hence the production will tell the story of lavani performners. “It will weave togeether lavani songs, oral history, archival family photos and more, besides the collaborative projects with artist paromita vohra.”

Lavanyavati Was Originally Commissioned by the serendipity arts festival in goa and premiered in December 2022, post which which the production has toured Major Festivals Such as the Women’s Suchre Festival (NCpa Mumbai), Earth Festival (Hyderabad), Kalarang Festival (Ravindra Bhavan Margao).

Lavayavathi, In English and Marathi, is conceptuulized and designed by Savitri. It will have Vocals by Sangeeta Panchal and Shubham Sutar on Dholki.

The show is open to anyone aged 12 and about and is on March 25, 7.30pm at Jagriti Theatre. Tickets, ₹ 500 on Bookmyshow.