popular folk music in Maharashtra

1 Powada :

The powadas are energetic songs written to narrate historical events in an

inspiring manner. The composer-cum-singer of a Powada is known as Shahir.

Powadas describing the greatness of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj are very popular

across Maharashtra. Instruments like Daf, Tuntuna, Tal are used.

2 Abhang :

Abhang is a devotional song. Sant Tukaram has been credited with the creation

of thousands of abhangs which praise the Hindu God Vitthal and also talk about

philosophy. Instruments like Tabla, Harmonium, Tal, Mridang, Chiplya are used.

3 Kirtan :

Kirtan literally means narrating, reciting, telling, describing an idea or story.

A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. A kirtan is typically performed

to spread good values and practices through the medium of storytelling and music.

e.g. Sant Gadgebaba's kirtan about public sanitation. Instruments like Harmonium,

Chiplya, Mridang, Tabla are used.

4 Bharud :

Bharud is a type of music popularised by Sant Eknath. Bharud also involves story

telling interspersed with music. However unlike kirtan, bharud is a group performance.

It is generally used for creating social awareness.

5 Jagran Gondhal :

Gondhal is generally performed in the honour of Goddess. Jagran is performed

in honour of Lord Khanderaya (Shiva). Instruments are used for both.

6 Bhajan :

Bhajans is a broad name given to any song with religious theme or spiritual ideas.

Ideas from scriptures, legendary epics, the teachings of saints and devotion to deity

are the typical subjects of bhajans. Tal, Tabla, Harmonium, Mridang are used for

Bhajans.

7 Lavani :

Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which is particularly

performed to the beats of dholki. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm. Dholki

and Harmonium are mainly used in Lavani.

8 Qawwali:

A Qawwali is a group performance. It is known for their energetic rhythm.

While performing Qawwali typical style of clapping is used.