DHULE

Novay Gorbo is a traditional folk song and dance form which is associated with the Pawra community. Members of the community come together during the Novai festival, which is an important occasion for them, for it marks the changing of the agricultural seasons. They perform the art collectively as an expression to honor nature and seek blessings for a good harvest.

The song is sung after the evening meal in the apatal (open courtyard). Both men and women take part in the performance. They form separate groups, holding hands or linking arms. The singing and dancing begin slowly and then gradually speed up. This change in rhythm reflects the stages of the agricultural cycle, from waiting for rain to planting, growing, and harvesting.

The lyrics of Novay Gorbo celebrate natural forces that are important for farming. Figures like Rani Kajovane (queen of the forest) and Vijyavan Rani (queen of lightning), who represent rain and lightning are mentioned and invoked in the song. The mukhiya (village head) and pujari guide the community in honoring these forces and seeking their blessings for the future.

Soang is a traditional drama primarily performed in the Pimpalner region, especially during the Naamsaptah Yatra, a religious festival. Locals say this tradition has been a part of the community for over 100-150 years. While earlier performances were staged in open spaces, they have since adapted to be performed on tractors or lorries. The themes of Soang traditionally center around the stories of devis and devtas, with performances dramatizing their glory and deeds.

The dhol is a double-headed drum widely used across the Indian subcontinent. Within the Pawra community of Dhule, the dhol is distinct in its construction, traditionally crafted from a single teak tree. This drum has been an integral part of the community's musical heritage for centuries, playing a central role in both musical performances and ritualistic ceremonies. Referred to as dhul, tul, or dhol in the Pawra language, it is typically played alongside a smaller percussion instrument called the madav (or madavam).

A mandal is a percussion instrument constructed from goat's skin and tree bark. It produces two distinct rhythms from its opposite ends. The instrument is played by a designated village drummer for significant occasions including weddings, funerals, and festivals such as Holi and Diwali.

The piha is a flute-like instrument traditionally crafted from wood or metal, consisting of two tubes that produce a distinctive sound. It is primarily played by men of the Pawra community during festivals and special occasions, where it serves both as an expression of joy and a means of invoking blessings. The piha is also used to announce the arrival of the rainy season. This announcement is shared with fellow villagers to mark the beginning of an auspicious period. Additionally, the instrument holds a special role in festivals dedicated to devis and devtas such as Rani Kajal Mata and Devmogra Mata.

Smita Patil was an actress renowned for her portrayal of unconventional and headstrong female characters in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. She began her career in parallel cinema and later transitioned to mainstream films with the 1976 movie ‘Manthan’, where she played Bindu, a young lower caste woman who leads a revolt against the milk co-operative. Patil won her first National Film Award for Best Actress in 1978 for her performance in ‘Bhumika’ (1977), where she portrayed an actress grappling with the challenges of sudden fame, stardom, and a tumultuous personal life, all while seeking her identity and self-fulfilment as an unhappy, middle-aged woman. That same year, she also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi for her role in ‘Jait Re Jait’ (1977).

Patil’s remarkable performances continued in films like ‘Bazaar’, ‘Arth’, and ‘Namak Halaal’ (all 1982), as well as ‘Ardha Satya’ and ‘Mandi’ (both 1983). However, she is perhaps most famously remembered for her portrayal of the fiery yet graceful Sonbai in Ketan Mehta’s ‘Mirch Masala’ (1985), where her character stands up against a lewd petty officer. Film critic Rita Kempley of The Washington Post described Patil’s performance in the film as “an enigmatically feisty last performance.” Patil also won the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Award for Best Actress (Hindi) for her role in Mirch Masala.

 Known for her remarkable range as an actor, her beauty, and her distinctive style, Patil was posthumously honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1985 for her contributions to the field of arts, just a year before her tragic death.

Ram Vanji Sutar is a sculptor from Dhule, known for his large-scale public sculptures. He is perhaps best known as the creator of the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, standing at 597 ft. which was dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Sutar studied at the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai, where he graduated with a gold medal. His expertise lies in working with bronze, and he is known for creating highly detailed and realistic sculptures.

At the beginning of his artistic career, between 1954 and 1958, Sutar worked on the restoration of ancient carvings at the Ajanta and Ellora caves. His first major independent project was the 45-foot Chambal Monument in Madhya Pradesh.

In recognition of his skill, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru commissioned him to create a 50-foot bronze monument honoring the laborers who built the Bhakra Dam. The resulting sculpture, Triumph of Labour, was installed on January 26, 1959 and continues to remain a focal point of International Workers’ Day celebrations on May 1 each year.

Over the years, his sculptures have been installed in over 450 cities worldwide, including countries such as the USA, France, Italy, and South Africa, with many featuring prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi.

Sutar has received several national and international honors for his contributions to the arts. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. In 2018, he also received the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for his impact on Indian sculpture and artistic heritage.