Address:
ZILHA KRIDA SANKUL, NANDURBAR, NANDURBAR ,MAHARASHTRA - 425412
About type of art
Name of Tribal Dance - Kambad dance
Name of Tribe - Thakar
Name of Performers (with mobile Numbers)-
Details of the troupes-
1. Dhol Kambad Nrutya, At-Chilharwadi, Post sakadbav, Tal- Shahapur, Dist- Thane
Mr. Barku kusha Wagh
Mob. No. - 9579585902
2. Tribal Traditional Kambad Dance Troupe Uddavane (Gangalwadi) Akole Dist. Ahmednagar
Mr. Sakharam Thaka Gangad
Mob. No. - 9421485191
Meaning or Significance-
The Thakar community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in Maharashtra. Community speaks Thakri, a dialect of Marathi.
Agriculturalists, today, the Thakar mainly cultivate rice. They also engage in forest gathering and in the past, hunted wild game.
Living amidst the Sahyadri Mountains, the Thakar derive fuel, wild tubers and medicinal plants from the forests that surround them. Their villages are scattered across the hill slops in Ahmednagar, Nasik, Pune and Thane districts.
The Thakars are known for their rich tradition of songs dedicated to their deities, music and dances on wedding ceremonies, births and other occasions. Kambad is traditionally a leisure dance, an antidote after a hard day work in the fields. It happens at rest and at every festival. These dance movements mimic agricultural activities.
Kambad dance is a fascinating display of rhythm, agility and enthusiasm. Kambad music is part of a tradition passed down from generation to generation. The Thakar community hopes that this tradition will continue for generations to come.
Performance Context -
Paddy is the main crop and the Thakars wait for the arrival of monsoon. Sowing begins with the first rains and seedlings after the second week of June. at this time, Thakar celebrates Saath. It is a village-level festival, in which prayers are offered to thank the village goddess, Aai Pandhari and other deities like Vaghoba, Mhasoba, Vetal, Maruti and Dongar-Kalsubai. Offerings are made to these deities and from this time Thakar men participate in the Kambad dance on all village festivals.
Today, Kambad dance is seen as a means of preserving the culture and traditions of the community. Young and old gather together, communicating joys and sorrows, participating in this dance as their ancestors did before them.
Costumes and Jewellery -
Traditional Clothing, Men wear dhoti & body vest. Tie half turban around their head.
Music and Instruments-
Dhol, a double drum of teak and goat skin is the main musical accompaniment. The lyrics of the Kambad song and the drum are central to the dance and the society considers the drum as a deity. Moving as one, they perform acrobatics to the beat of the music. Singers encourage them, the lyrics and voices linked to the rhythm of the drums along with the ghugaroos strapped to each dancer feet.