SOLAPUR

Dhangari Gaja is a popular art form in Solapur, which is usually performed by the shepherd community called the Dhangars. This vibrant dance is a celebration of the birth of their Devta, Biruba Dev, and is performed in his honor. 

During the performance, dancers don bright attire, including handkerchiefs and traditional garments such as dhotis, angrakhas, and phetas, moving in sync with the drum beats.

Lezim is a traditional folk dance form prevalent in Solapur and other parts of Maharashtra. It is characterised by the rhythmic clapping of hands and the use of small jingling cymbals called ‘lezims’.

Typically performed in groups during festivals and celebrations, Lezim is accompanied by folk music, creating an energetic and festive atmosphere. The dance serves not only as entertainment but also as a way to express joy and community spirit, making it an integral part of the cultural fabric of Solapur.

Bhakti literature is a term used to refer to the body of works produced during the Bhakti movement, which flourished across India during the 13th and 16th centuries. This movement emphasized bhakti as a path to moksha (spiritual liberation), and many Sant-Kavis and devotional communities used poetry, music, and storytelling as forms of spiritual expression. In Maharashtra, the Solapur district, especially the town of Pandharpur, became an important center for this tradition.

Pandharpur houses the main Mandir of Vithoba (also called Vitthal) and serves as the focal point for the Varkari sect, a community who are very closely tied to the Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra. The term "varkari" refers to bhakts who undertake the annual 21-day pilgrimage (vari) to Pandharpur, a tradition dating back nearly eight centuries.

The Varkari movement developed through the contributions of numerous Sant-Kavis who came from various social backgrounds across Maharashtra. Prominent Sant-Kavis associated with the movement include Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, Tukaram, Chokhamela, Janabai, and Muktabai. These figures emerged as critics of social inequities, particularly caste discrimination, advocating instead for an egalitarian approach to spirituality. A significant contribution of these poet-saints was the translation of religious texts from Sanskrit into Marathi.

Among the earliest Sant-Kavis, Namdev and Chokhamela composed devotional songs called "abhangas." These compositions served dual purposes: expressions of devotion to Vitthal and social commentary critiquing caste discrimination and religious orthodoxy. The abhangas consistently emphasised the principle of spiritual equality.

Solapuri chaddar is a traditional cotton blanket that originates from Solapur. Known for its durability and distinctive designs, it was originally woven on handlooms but is now largely produced using Jacquard machines. The production of these chaddars saw significant growth in the 1950s, when Padmashali weavers from South India settled in Solapur and began crafting them on a larger scale.

The product enjoys significant demand throughout India, particularly in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The Solapuri chaddar has also established international market presence in countries including the UAE, Kuwait, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the first product from Maharashtra to receive a Geographical Indications (GI) tag.

Banjara embroidery is an age-old craft that is tied to the Banjara community, who reside across many regions in Maharashtra, including Solapur district. 

This embroidery style features intricate designs reflecting cultural motifs and employs techniques such as pattern darning, mirror work, and patchwork, typically executed on dark blue or red fabric. The patterns predominantly incorporate geometric shapes, embellished with beads, cowrie shells, and mirrors.

Shubharay Art Gallery is located in Solapur and was established in 1986 to support artisans and promote the appreciation of visual arts. The gallery is named after a local artist recognized for their contributions to the community.

The gallery includes an exhibition hall and a stage on the first floor, along with storage space for materials. The venue is used for a range of cultural and educational activities and is situated near the municipal corporation offices.

The Youth Festival at Sangameshwar College is a popular inter-college event, where students get a chance to showcase their artistic and athletic abilities. It often includes workshops, seminars, performances, and competitions in various fields such as drama and music. In the past, the students have even traveled outside Solapur to partake in other youth festivals such as the Western Region Youth Festival in Gujarat and the International Youth Festival at Jaipur.

Shashikant Vaman Dhotre is a contemporary artist known for his enigmatic portraits and his colored pencil drawings on paper. He gained early recognition after receiving the Governor’s Award from the Bombay Art Society.

Dhotre’s work often features female figures set against black backgrounds, depicted in moments of contemplation alongside elements such as birds or fish. His compositions frequently explore a range of emotional states, and his early works are noted for their focus on introspective themes.

He primarily works with colored pencils, a medium that characterizes much of his output. While recognized for his technical proficiency in this medium, Dhotre’s work also explores personal and emotional expression through portraiture and symbolic elements.

Jabbar Patel is a renowned theater and film director celebrated for his contributions to Marathi cinema. His notable films include ‘Samna’ (1975), ‘Jait Re Jait’ (1977), ‘Umbartha’ (1982), ‘Simhasan’ (1979), ‘Mukta’ (1994), ‘Ek Hota Vidushak’ (1992), and ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’ (2000). 

His production of Vijay Tendulkar’s play ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ (1973) is regarded as a classic in modern Indian theater. Patel made his film debut with ‘Samna’, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi, while ‘Mukta’ won him the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

In addition to his work in the arts, Patel is a social activist, actively participating in various movements for social justice. He founded the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, a cultural organization aimed at promoting social and political awareness through the arts. He also serves as the chairman of the National Film Development Corporation of India and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

Shahir Amar Sheikh, born Mehboob Hassan Patel, was a poet and performer associated with India’s working-class movement. His work is noted for its focus on themes related to labor rights, social awareness, and collective action. His poetry, shaped by rationalist thought and informed by experiences across different social classes, aimed to engage and mobilize audiences, particularly among the working population.

Sheikh’s compositions often focused on encouraging self-awareness and solidarity among workers, advocating for unity, self-defense, and organization in pursuit of rights. One well-known example is the song "Majhi Maina Gavavarrahili", a poem by Annabhau Sathe and performed by Sheikh, which addresses the experiences of textile workers in Mumbai who were separated from their families during the early to mid-20th century.

In addition to poetry, Sheikh composed and performed folk songs, ballads, and dramas, using these forms to represent and articulate the concerns of marginalized communities.

Vithabai Bhaumang Narayangaonkar was a renowned Tamasha artist and is regarded as the ‘Empress of Tamasha’. Her passion for dancing and singing bloomed in her childhood within the Tamasha art form, a traditional Marathi folk art form performed with singing and dancing. She began traveling with her father Bhau Bapu’s troupe, where she honed her skills in song, dialogue, and dance.

Recognizing her talent, Mama Varerkar, a renowned Marathi playwright, invited her to join his art team. Through this experience, Vithabai mastered various performance techniques, including Angik, Vachik, Satvik, and Abhinaya, despite not having formal drama training. While touring Maharashtra’s villages, she often received only stale food as compensation, yet she remained dedicated to her craft, performing in regions like Marathwada, Khandesh, Vidarbha, and Konkan.

In 1962, during the Sino-Indian War, Vithabai honored soldiers by performing a special Tamasha at the NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency) border. Despite financial struggles and loans from multiple lenders, she was determined to sustain the art of Tamasha.

Vithabai’s contributions were widely recognized. She served as the president of the All India Tamasha Conference in Pune in 1968 and received the ‘Maharashtra Gaurav’ Award in 1990. She received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the President’s Award for her artistic contributions.