Folk Music and Dance
Rhythm of the Soul, Pulse of the Land
Palghar's Folk Dances: A Celebration of Community and Nature
The communities of Palghar express their deepest beliefs and communal bonds through a vibrant tradition of folk dance and music which are rooted in their cultural ancestry.
Tarpa Nritya, performed by the Warli, Malhar Koli, and Kokna communities during Diwali and harvest festivals, involves dancers forming a rhythmic circle around the Tarpa, a traditional wind instrument, celebrating unity and gratitude to nature. Ghor Nritya is a high-energy, three-day dance performed by the same communities before Diwali to honor Mandli Devi, where dancers move in a circle for miles, singing and collecting offerings. Kambade Nritya is a ritual of devotion and endurance offered to Narayan Devta by these communities during religious festivals or times of monsoon distress, with the belief that it brings rain and blesses the land. Lastly, Gavari Nritya is a graceful, devotional dance performed from the Savan month through Diwali to honor Gavari, a goddess of the land and harvest, marking the rice harvesting season with rituals of gratitude.
These dances collectively weave together the agricultural and spiritual lives of the people, expressing their profound connection to their land, gods, and each other.
A Peek into the Rhythmic Soul of Palghar's Cultural Heritage
The Artists
The Cultural Custodians keeping the Performing Arts Alive and Breathing
Tukaram Belkar
Tukaram Belkar, from Dharampur, is a Ghor Nritya artist with five years of experience. He leads a team of 21 members who perform during Diwali, dancing and strolling through their village. Belkar has traveled to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Mumbai for his art, which he learned from his village elders.
Hirya Vithal Korda
A seasoned artist with 35 years of experience, Hirya Vithal Korda hails from Ibadh Pada and is an expert in Tarpa, Kambade, and Gavari dances. He leads a 25-member team (12 female, 13 male) and serves as a local guru, teaching the traditional dances. Korda learned his art from his father and is known for preparing his own Tarpa instruments.
Ganpat Bujad
Ganpat Bujad, from Bordi, has 12 years of experience performing Tarpa and Dhol dances. He learned his craft from village elders and now leads a team of 25 members (10 male, 15 female). A local guru, he teaches both his own children and other village kids. Bhujad has visited various locations in Maharashtra, including Raigad.
Ashok Ghatal
With 20 years of experience, Ashok Ghatal from Nikane leads a 17-member team. He performs Tarpa, Gavari, and Kambade and is a local guru who teaches children in his community. Ghatal learned his art from his father and is actively carrying on this tradition. His travels for performances have taken him to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Villages Practicing Folk Songs & Dance
Experience These Living Traditions
Join local communities during festivals and celebrations to witness these art forms in their authentic settings. Many villages welcome visitors to learn and participate in their cultural traditions.