Gondhal

Understand

Where Gondhal comes from

Gondhal is a devotional folk-performance tradition of Marathwada and western Maharashtra, traditionally staged at night as an all-night vigil (jagran) in honour of Devi, Khandoba, Satvai and other local deities. The tradition draws on older forms of folk-entertainment that were absorbed into regional Hindu practice in the medieval period, and is closely related to Tamasha, Kirtan and the Waghya-murali songs of the Khandoba bhakti tradition. Gondhal is also performed at weddings and at the Nag Panchami and Mangalagaur festivals.

How it's practiced

Gondhal is performed by a troupe led by a chief performer (the Gondhal guru) who narrates and dances while a chorus sings devotional songs. The chief performer carries a gonda — a long brass-studded staff — which he strikes rhythmically against the ground. The music is a distinctive combination of tasha (large drum), sambal (cymbals), pungi (snake-charmer's pipe) and shruti (drone). Costume is bright Maratha dress with a pheta (turban) and a saffron shawl. The performance moves through several stages of song and dance, ending in a trance-like absorption of the deity by the lead performer.