TAMASHA:FOLK FORM OF WESTERN INDIA

Background of Tamasha

Tamasha is traditionally a form of Marathi theatre which involves singing and dancing. It is performed by local people of Maharashtra as well as the travelling theatre groups. It came into existence in the 16^th century of Maharashtra.

The word Tamasha, is originally Persian. In Indian official languages like Hindi, Urdu, Marathi- the word Tamasha denotes fun or play. More precisely, the word connotes something which is hilarious. Many times the word is used to identify some act as irritating or not desirable. More or less, the word for sure, means some excitement and cheer. The theatre greatly combines play with song and dance.

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Traditionally, Tamasha is influenced by many Indian art forms which include kaveli, ghazals, kirtan, dashavatara and very popular dance form, Kathak. Though it came into existence in the 16^th century but the theatre form took the bigger and prominent shape only in 18^th century. With the development of textile industry in 19^th century in Bombay(now Mumbai), workers from rural side shifted to the city carrying the theatre form with them. Thus a complete move of the theatre called Tamasha took place only then. In the early years of textile industry in Bombay, Tamasha performers were invited to showcase the art form but it is later the art form flourished as more and more people joined the theatre group and learned the art form. In the beginning, the so-called low castes of Indian castes system used to perform Tamasha which includes Kolhati, Mahar, Mang and Bhatu from outskirts of Maharashtra. After Independence, however, the urban middle class turned away from traditional art forms creating a distinction between urban and rural audience, as Tamasha continued to sweep the urban audience.