INTRODUCTION.
The Thakar Adivasi Kala Aangan is the first museum of Thakar traditional folk arts, crafts and forms of dance – dram in India, which is situated in ancestral village of Pinguli in southern Maharashtra.
Shri Parshuram V. Gangavane – founder & trustee is working to preserve the traditional Thakar folk art locally and performing it on national level for last 35 years. The trust undertakes ongoing activities in ‘Guru Shiksha parampara’ , conservation of original art materials and promotion of this beautiful range of folk art.
REPERTORY OF THAKAR ART FORMS.
These are Eleven distinct art forms of Thakar heritage. We give below a brief description of a few among them.
- CHITRAKATHI
- STRING PUPPET SHOW
- LEATHER / SHADOW PUPPETEY
- PANGUL BAEL
- FUGHDYA
- POTH RAJA
- DONA GEET
- RADHA NRUTYA
- POWADA
- PINGLI
- GONDHAL
KALSUTRI (PUPPET SHOW)
The string puppets about 1.5ft., in size are carved of a wood and colorfully clothed. Their faces are painted representing Mythological Heroes, Queens, Demons & Humble servants. The nimble fingers of Artist along with the singers and drum players create a fantastic Three Dimensional drama full of spirit.
CHITRAKATHI
A series of paintings describing traditional stories is claimed to be with the Thakar community for over 500 years. The stories belong to Ramayana,Mahabharata and Nandi Puran. By showing a painting and singing along side the artist builds vivid narratives. The paintings are usually 12″x18″ and the paints are from Natural sources.
SHADOW PUPPETRY
These two dimensional profiles of Mythological people cast haunting, colorful and vibrant shadows on a screen of thin cloth. The performance is usually at night, back-lit by huge oil lamp. With the compliment of read instrument and singing; spell binding hours go by. The puppets are made out of leather beaten paper thin and painted by Natural dyes cut and perforated.
PANGUL BAEL (BULLOCK SHOW)
These secret bull along with his master, the drum beater, roam around from house to house and village to village, blessing people and receiving alms.
The bull is draped and ornamented with interpret embroidery bells and peacock feathers.