What is the form of Gondhali art?

Gondhali is a folk art that includes marriage and plot stories by a group of artists, such as marriage and stories, before festivals and family functions. The songs are usually about the female deities about Amba Bhavani and Yalamma, and the stories are from the Puranas and the Mahabharata. It is an all-night event where a team of 3-5 artists sings and plays instruments with a break for rituals for hours, such as Hindu ritual of worship,

Mention in Mansolasa

Gondhali is mentioned in art MansolasaIn the 12th century, Kalyani Chalukya is considered a Sanskrit encyclopedia compiled by King Someshwar. Someshwar classified Gondhali as the Bhil community. It also mentions Narutia RatnavaliA book on art forms by Jayan Raya, Commander-in-Chief of Warangal Kakti Empire. He remembers Gondahala done by Kalyani Bhil.

Oral tradition of community

The form of art contained in oral traditions is passed through generations. Although the practice of organizing Gondhali nights is present in many communities, singers mostly hail a community, called Gondahalis. It is believed that Gondhali society has more than 90 sub-casts, about seven of which perform sub-kas. Traditionally, it is a male-conclusion form. However, some women are now learning art.

Dissemination of community

Gondhali art is performed in Karnataka, Maharashtra and parts of Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, the Gondhali community focused in districts along the Karnataka-Maharashtra border. Community elders say that Gondhali artists were settled in and around the capitals of Martha Kingdom, their surf and Bahmani and Adil royal kings.

Transfer of generation

Most training is through the Smriti-Shruti tradition among generations. Most singers have learned to hear them from their father, uncle and grand father. There is no formal training system or method. Although Amba Bhajan and Puranik stories remain in the form of art, singers make their performance widely base. They raise stories of Jathka, Guropadesh, Panch Tantra, local folklore and even modern-day literature.

Published – February 21, 2025 11:20 AM IST