Every festive occasion is accompanied by song, music
and dance in Maharashtra. Talking about the music of Maharashtra won't
complete without the mention of Natya Sangeet, numerous folk songs and
its great saint poets. Although music in Maharashtra like Marathi
literature has an ancient tradition, the popularity of classical music
in Maharashtra began through Gwalior. Miraj town of Sangli district is
known as the 'town of music'. The world famous Indian musical instrument
the Sitar is made in this town.
Folk songs are an inseparable part of the daily lives of the rural
Maharashtra. Folk forms like lavani, nautanki and tamasha music are very
famous. However, a lot of these art forms are dying out as performers
are finding it difficult to sustain.
Amongst the saint poets, Jnandev, Namdev, Tukaram, Jani and Soyara are
imorptant to mention. They believed in the fusion of Bhakti (devotion)
with Jnana (knowledge). They taught to worship and merge into oneness
with the God.
Folk Music
Lavani and Povada are the most popular folk songs that entertain the village-folks in Maharashtra. Bhaleri, a folk-song is sung to cheer the farmers working in the field. They also sing special songs during the harvesting time.
Natya Sangeet
Natya Sangeet is very popular in Maharashtra. It is sort of stage music that performs on the stage. It derives from the classical form of Indian music and presented on the semi-classical style.
Poets of Maharashtra
Jnandev, popularly known as Jnaneshwara, his sister Muktabai and his two brothers were all poet-saints. His great work, the Jnaneshwari is a monumental verse commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. He also wrote Anubhavamrita. Then came Namdev, who wrote in Hindi as well as in Marathi.
Music is an integral part of the lives of the people of Maharashtra.