A Study For The Revival Of Folk Musical Traditions Of Kolis Of Maharashtra

Abstract

Every region in India has its own form of folk music.Folk culture is the expression of people living a way of life, and folk-music is a living source of speaking out their hearts in a language known to them. Maharashtra has a very vast folk culture. There are three major
forms of music at the core of the musical history of the state such as folk music, Natya Sangeet, and the poetry of the Saints. Village folk such as Povadas, Owi, Bhaleri, Palane and Artya are common to mass listeners. Several other forms of simple devotional music like
bhajans, bharud, gondhal, kirtans, lalita, abhanga, and popular dance styles like Lavani, Tamasha, Kolietc. have contributed immensely to the rich musical canvas of Maharashtra.Koli dance is performed by the fishermen community of Maharashtra. It showcases the vivacity of the community and is therefore termed as a ‘dance of joy’.Both men and women, either standing together in a single row or by forming pairs perform dance movements, depicting activities performed during fishing such as rowing boats, casting nets, symbolically forming waves, swaying oars in forward and backward motions, and so on. Like other regional folk traditions, Kolis have their very own unique music traditions in the coastal regionsof Maharashtra. Due to advancement of civilization and changes in the society and cultural practices, the flame of this popular form of music is at its lowest level. The present research paper explored the ground reality to revive and promote this famous regional art form along with recommendations to popularize it among present and future generations