Dances of Maharashtra

Folk dances of Maharashtra have evolved mainly from the rural areas. Several folk dances in Maharashtra are preformed during the time of festivals or other occasions. the state has been famous for its vibrant music and the folks forms like Tamasha, Koli, Povadas, Lavani, Kala, Dhangari Gaja etc.

Povada: Povadas are presented in the Marathi ballads form. This form form describes the events in the life of the great Maratha ruler, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Through the Povada, people remeber Shivaji, a famous hero of his period.

Tamasha: The work tamasha in Persian language means fun and entertainment. The tamasha dance form has been believed to be delivered from the ancient form of Sanskrit drama the 'Prahasana' and the 'Bhana'. The instruments which are used in this dance form are 'Tuntuni', 'Dholaki', Manjeera', 'Harmonium', 'Halgi', 'Daf', Ghungaroos'.

Koli: Koli is another folk dance of Maharashtra which got its name from fisher folk of the state called 'Koli'. The koli are known for their lively dances and separate identity. The dances of these fishermen posses elements taken from their occupation, which is fishing. The dance incorporates elements that this community is most familiar with sea and fishing.

Dhangari Gaja: Dhangari Gaja is one of the most famous folk dance performed in the Maharashtra. As the dhangars of Solapur herd to green pastures for grazing for their cattle, they become acquainted with the nature. Inspired by the scenic beauty they compose poetry, called ovi writing about the nature and their god Biruba.

Lavani: Lavani is mixture of traditional dance and song, which is performed mainly to the beats of 'Dholaki' an instrument like a drum. This folk dance is executed by beautiful women wearing sarees of nine-yards. The word Lavani derived from Lavanya, meaning beauty. This form is combination of dance and music, which is dealt with different and varied topics such as society, religion, politics, romance etc.

Indian River System

India is the fifth country in the world with favorable water resources after Canada, Brazil, Russia and Congo. Rivers of India plays an important role in the lives of the Indian people. The river system provides irrigation, potable water, cheap transportation, electricity as well as provides live-hood for a large number of people all over the country. Indian rivers are mainly divided into following two types:

1. Himalayan Rivers
2. Peninsular Rivers

1. Himalayan Rivers: As the name suggests, these rivers originate from Himalayan Mountains. These rivers again divided into two types. Trans Himalayan & Himalayan. The Trans-Himalayan Rivers originate beyond the Himalayas e.g. the Indus, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra. Himalayan rivers are those which originate in the Himalayas and flows the Northern planes e.g. the Ganga, the Yamuna.

The Ganga River System: The Ganga originates in Gangotri glacier, the river acquires its name after its head streams Alakhanda and Bhagirathi unite the Devaprayag. The total length of Ganga is over 2,525 kms, shared by Uttanchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal. Later on Ganga flows into Bangladesh known as Padma. The Yamuna and the Sone are main right bank tributaries, on left hand tributaries includs Ramganga, Gomati, Gandak, Kosi.

The Indus River System: The Indus rises in Tibet near Manas sarovar lake (at an altitude of 5,180 meters). Flowing west-wards it enters India in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir. It receives Himalayan tributaries such as the Gartang, Zaskar, Dras Shoyk, Shigar. Its well known Punjab tributaries which make the Panjnad are Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Chenab and Jhelum. Indus with a length of 2,880 kms is considered as on of the longest rivers of the world. India can utilise 20% of its discharge under the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.

2. Peninsular Rivers: These Rivers originate in Western Ghats and are dependent on rainfall for water. These rivers flow in valleys with steep gradients. Narmada, Tapi, Govdavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Mahanadi are the major rivers.

Narmada Basin: Its originates in Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh and flows towards west to join the Arabian Sea. It covers the states of Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat.

Tapi Basin: It originates in Madhya Pradesh and covering the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat joins the Arabian Sea.

Godavari Basin: The Godavari originates in Nashik in Maharashtra and covers the states of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. It is known as Dakshin Ganga due to its area covered (1465 kms) and reaches Bay of Bengal.

Krishna Basin: Its rises near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and covers area of 1400 kms. It flow through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana,  Andhra Pradesh and reaches Bay of Bengal.

Caste System of India

Untouchability  and Caste system in India: India is having caste system based society not only among Hindus but also other castes also. Earlier, the people in the lower hierarchies are not accessible to all the resources and are exploited by upper hierarchies as well, they were victims of untouchability practices.
Besides, there were untouchable castes  also were involved in menial jobs as manual scavengers, Agricultural labors, Skinner of animal hides and so on. There was the concept of Yajmani System, that is little share of produce was given to the non-touchable people. With time, change come in the social behavior of untouchable people due to commercialisation of Agriculture, Emergence of contractual relations and increased employment in factories, Markets, Army etc.

Movements of Pre-Independence Time: In Pre-Independence times, leaders like Jyotiba Phule started Satya Shodak Samaj and also written book called Gulamgiri creating awareness in the minds of untouchables people. There were also movements to make the lower caste people to enter the temples such as Guruvayur Satyagraha.
Babu Jagjeevan Ram, The prominent Harijan leader started Khet Majadoor Sabha and depressed Class League to alleviate the problems of depressed classes. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar leader of depressed classes founded Independent Labor Party in 1936 and All India Scheduled Caste Federation in 1942. He also wrote a book called Annihiation of Castes against the caste system. Dr. Ambedkar tried to empower the depressed classes by providing them legal rights which can found the constitution.

Untuochability Movement after Independence:

• In 1956, Republican Party was formed to fight for the rights of Dalits under the leadership of Yashwantrao Chavan.
• In early 1970, a new trend called Dalit Panthers was emerged in urban areas showing waves of radical politics with student and youth support base.
• In 1978, there was an agitation to rename Marathwada University as Ambedkar university which resulted in anti-dalit riots.
• In 1980, in North India Bahujan Samajwadi Party was emerged under Kashiram with basic aim and strategy based on electroal power that is to empower the depressed classesin political manner.
• In 1990, Prakash Ambedkar tried to combine all dalit organisation for contesting Maharashtra assembly elections but was not successful.
• Non-Dalit parties and group like Ambedkar Sanghams and agricultural unions also played important role in fighting about the issues of Dalits.
• Break down of Yajmani System proved to be major break through.
• Conversion of dalits and reservation facilities are the obvious improvements in the status of depressed classes.