गोंधल/Gondhal

The video is a presentation on the dramatic narrative form of Gondhal of Maharashtra. The Gondhal is the dramatic narration of mythological stories and folk legends as a part of the ritual dedicated to deities like Renuka and Bhavani. This singing and dancing before deities is practised by members of the Gondhali community. The Gondhalis are invited to perform at many auspicious occasions like marriages, thread ceremonies and important religious festivals. The Gondhal troupe is made up of four to five persons and the main singer-narrator is called the Naik. His assistant who functions as a jester livens up the narration by asking him humorous questions. The rest of the Gondhalis play musical instruments like cymbals and the one-stringed ekatari. It is said that the Gondhal dance form was created by the warrior-sage Parasuram. The dance is composed of dynamic movements and the dancers are brightly dressed and ornamented.