TAMASHA:FOLK FORM OF WESTERN INDIA

Ban on Tamasha

After Independence, at the time of the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Kher, received a number of complaints from all sections of society about the increased vulgarity that was being used in Tamasha and after going through these complaints and after finding the reality, he has imposed a ban on the performances of Tamasha. After the imposition of ban, all the Tamasha phad owners were distressed and became nervous and helpless. By that time, several hundreds of Tamasha phads were giving performances. By this ban, thousands of kalavanths became unemployed. As the kalavanths were not aware of any other work except performing Tamasha, they became helpless and had to struggle for their livelihood. The imposition of ban not only threw the kalavanths onto the roads but it also had an effect on their families.

picture courtesy:Deccan Herald image

After seeing the condition of the kalavanths, some of the well wishers, senior phad organisers, senior artists have appealed to the government to lift the ban, keeping in view the poor condition of the Kalavanths. The persons who took active participation in the lifting of ban were Obasahib Mujumder, Bapusahib Jintikar, Popatlal Saha, Ahmed Seth Tambe etc who tried to lift the ban on Tamasha.

In April 1949, a Maha Sabha was held on Tamasha at Aryabhushan Theatre in which all the Tamasha people(Tamashgirs) assembled. The senior Tamashgirs stressed the need of lifting the ban on Tamasha. After the Mahasabha, all the participants have passed a resolution for lifting the ban and to save the Tamasha Kalavanths.