Ranga Shankara Fest '10: Pandavani (day 7)

Pandavani, literally means stories or songs about the Pandavas. A lead singer who is at the centre of a Pandavani performance, sings and narrates to the accompaniment of an Ektara in one hand and peacock feathers in the other. The musical ensemble consists of Harmonium, Tabla, Dholak and Majira and also a couple of vocalists. The Ektara in the lead singer's hand morphs into Bhima's mace or Arjuna's bow, Krishna's chariot or Draupadi's hair, depending on the situation being narrated! With exquisite skill and wit, the singer juxtaposes current social and political situations to those in the Mahabharata.

The first woman performer of Pandavani, Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai has made a distinctive mark for herself on the Indian folk art scene. Initiated into the art at a young age, she went on to train formally in it under Sri Umaid Singh Deshmukh. She famously adopted the "Kapalik" method of Pandavani performance that is known for its singing, impromptu dancing, and improvisations in narration, which put her squarely in competition with the men whose bastion it was in the 50's.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Pandavani
• ranga shankara
• festival
• teejan bai
• folk
• chattisghari